If we believe CJ is roughly as fast/athletic as Mahomes (and I think he is...) - think about how much better we feel v Mahomes with Zero healthy and playing as a Mahomes-scramble stuffer? It a facet of Mahomes' game we feel deserves attention. Even if it 1-2 plays a game. QBs scrambling out of trouble and moving the sticks are back-breaking plays for a defense. QB runs do not have to be Lamar-esque to have a significant impact on game-planning and game-results. My guess is too many old people told CJ he had to be a pocket passer and his lack of running is at least somewhat rooted in the idea he might be dismissed as a running QB if he tucks tail and takes off. But that's old school bullshit - you better have a passably mobile QB in today's NFL.
He isn’t as athletic as Mahomes. We really need to stop that rhetoric. Straight line he -might- be as fast. But he is nowhere near as agile, explosive or slippery. He is a young Cousins, Goff, Flacco, Winston type athlete. Maybe a little faster top end. Functional for the NFL, needs to take what he can but he isn’t the type of athlete that can scramble consistently
While running Read Option plays for Stroud is crazy talk, This is wrong too. Too many try to pigeonhole him. Stroud had 233 scrambling yards this year, more than Goff could ever dream of, without even committing to it. Young Matt Ryan never accumulated more than 122 scrimmage yards. The key for Stroud is to recognize when the opportunity to gain those yards presents itself and go. He is more than fast enough. Can Easily get to 11th on this list: https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/nfl-qb-rushing-yards-leaders-2024-season
It has nothing to do with totals. A whopping 13 yds a game is nothing to write home about. He’s about a Matt Ryan type athlete, capable of making some runs. No one is pigeon holing him. You guys need to stop trying to project what you want in a QB on him. He isn’t an athlete, he isn’t a runner, he isn’t a scrambler. He is functional enough to make occasional plays off script, take chunk yards when they’re there. An average to below average athlete for the NFL at QB in today’s game. He is always going to be his best by winning with the arm and processing.
Last week vs LAC CJ was scrambling for positive yards in critical moments. THAT is what the offense needs. We are in 3rd and long way too often to allow defenses to go dime package on us and become easy to defend. Reason why Mahomes is even considered an athlete is because he knows when to use the little athleticism he has. He makes his money outside the pocket on off platform throws. Harris-Aziz-Toto cover alot of ground. I would like to believe they keep Mahomes somewhat in check. If our organic pass rush can create pressure without having to blitz like last week we are in good shape.
I don't think *anybody* would describe Mahomes as "agile, explosive or slippery" (maybe slippery - but I equate that more to savvy/experience than I do straight athleticism). Stroud played basketball in high school. He's a better athlete than most people realize.
Most people. Specially professionals agree Mahomes is one of the most mobile QBs in the league. That really isn’t a debatable topic. Majority of players are multi sport players. It’s all relative. CJ isn’t a good athlete by NFL standards. He would be a good athlete compared to you or any average Joe.
It’s honestly a simple concept. The list of better athletes at QB in the league: Jayden Daniels Jalen Hurts Dak Prescott Daniel Jones Baker Mayfield Bryce Young Sam Darnold Jordan Love Caleb Williams Geno Smith Kyler Murray Brock Purdy Drake Maye Josh Allen Russel Wilson Joe Burrow Deshaun Watson Lamar Jackson Will Levis Anthony Richardson Trevor Lawrence Patrick Mahomes Bo Nix Justin Herbert Aaron Rodgers, Carr and Matt Stafford were better athletes when they were younger. Tua, Goff aren’t better. Whoever is in Las Vegas isn’t better. The game has changed, CJ is a solid athlete. Just relatively speaking he’s not like others. He’s one of the best throwers in the game and is able to extend plays and shown he can make plays out of structure. Running or super off script isn’t his go to
Winning this game would do so much… * put cj back up in the convo with best of the best * topple an annoying super power * bring life to this fandom unlike ever before Please. Please football gods. Let us have this.
I do believe CJ could become a Mahomes type run as a last resort type runner. While CJ's good at moving around in the pocket, he's not as good at it as Mahomes/Burrow etc...
I hope CJ avoids the "say whatever I want" offseason world media tour with chatterbox extraordinaire Micah Parsons and focuses more on improving as a QB. The regression was noticeable and can't be papered over because the O-line was bad.
I need him to voice his dissatisfaction with the offense and OC to the boss. Need complete overhaul on the offensive side next season
What about losing 2 of his 3 top receivers? Do you think he would have played better with them in the lineup or nah?
