cland
Rookie
So according to the rule of double-negatives, you'll be the most positive fan on this message board!
Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍
CJ Stroud year 3
- Thread starter thunderkyss
- Start date
How dare you!!!So according to the rule of double-negatives, you'll be the most positive fan on this message board!
Double negatives because I'm gunna be doubly negative.... cause I dont math or Inglesh well good.
FuzzyLogic
Mathematically Possible
Well props for being so positive about your negativity!
badboy
Hall of Fame
In my world, for decades, props were propellers usually referring to high-speed boats. Then I found out that prop could mean compliment. Now I'm being told that there is a rule about negatives. I did not do well in that class either. But then again, I did not do very well in any class. I am very positive about that fact which led to a negative result.
House of Pain
Wild Speculator
Yes, was clearly traumatic for several of the players including CJ. Having said that...if CJ allowed the horrific injury of his friend to impact his performance for the rest of the year, he's SAWWWWFFFFT and probably not traditional franchise QB material. Just saying.
Unpopular take:
This also makes me think about all the other QBs/players on the team of years past that would witness gruesome and sometimes life-altering injuries, only to go out there and be seemingly unaffected by it. CJ was bawling his eyes out and looked like he needed his blankey. I know, I know, I'm just an old man, times have changed, etc etc but I can't help but cringe when I see a grown man cry. I gained a ton of respect for the players of yesteryear. PS - I definitely was saddened by Dell's injury, so I get it, I'm just from another time.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Not being able to show emotion or cry has led thousands of military veterans to have mental health issues today. There's also a silence code that you should not share painful experiences unless it's with a brother veteran. That's one of the reasons thousands of vets commit suicide every year. I have talked to hundreds over the years from my Vietnam era to many other 'skirmishes' across the world and all were ashamed or had guilt. Other people who were involved in shootings, fires, etc.
It doesn't have to be combat related. I have four neighbors currently that are veterans and have mental health issues.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
CJ’s emotions were definitely with his friend who had appeared to have finally rebounded from his injury and was beginning to look like himself again. That grisly injury was so unfortunate. I only hope Tank makes his way back so the Texans WR Room features Nico, Higgins, Kirk, Noel, and Dell in 2026. If this group rounds out nicely this season and gets Dell back next season….it’ll be fun to watch and hail to defend.
Had he won the game... I wouldn't complain. Use that emotion & raise your level of play. Get mad, then get even.
Cry & continue to get your but whipped.... continue to play at that level none of us want to see. In 2025... sorry. He's not a winner. We're going to have to hope Lamar Jackson is hurt if we're ever going to beat Baltimore. We'll have to depend on injuries to have even odds against a gimpy Mahomes in the playoffs.
Ive got nothing against guys that cry, even guys who cry in public. But guys who cry in public & continue to take a buttwhoopin... c'mon. He's soft.
Cry & continue to get your but whipped.... continue to play at that level none of us want to see. In 2025... sorry. He's not a winner. We're going to have to hope Lamar Jackson is hurt if we're ever going to beat Baltimore. We'll have to depend on injuries to have even odds against a gimpy Mahomes in the playoffs.
Ive got nothing against guys that cry, even guys who cry in public. But guys who cry in public & continue to take a buttwhoopin... c'mon. He's soft.
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
What a stupid argument.
Bluehen Texan
Waterboy
Dude gets sacked 52 times, starts 19 games and is soft? It’s a team sport. Ridiculous. With time he’ll continue to grow and improve at maintaining focus in even the most horrific situations. He ain’t soft. That take is though.
badboy
Hall of Fame
I need to see a whole lot more from CJ and what's blocking for him and what's catching his passes before I think he's soft
Did your neighbors have mental health issues before they joined the military?
I would prefer the leader of the team not bawl like a baby when a teammate gets injured. I never saw Montana/Brady/Manning/Favre/Staubach/Bradshaw/Elway etc.... react like that to a teammate being injured.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Good question. All I know is what they have provided to me . They each have said no mental health issues prior to military. As TK said, I would prefer Stroud to shake it off and get back into it, if not that game then the next for certain. I just tried not to judge people and the way they handle their emotions.
A stronger Stroud? Texans QB working to transform his body in offseason
Houston's quarterback is adding more speed to his game to help him escape pressure in the pocket.
Texansballer74
The Marine
I second this recommendation/ motion.
Well if we don’t he better be stronger!
Your first time here?
A good OL would catapult CJ into top a 5 QB.
badboy
Hall of Fame
A 2023 Stroud behind a slightly above average line and this defense, I'm going to be disappointed if we don't get at least to the final two teams in the AFC.
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Not my first or my last beer Sir
TheRealJoker V2
All Pro
It’s a golden era of QB play. Texans have an elite defense but Stroud will still have to keep pace with the likes of Mahomes (and his refs), Allen, and Jackson. Then there’s Burrow who may be the most talented QB in the league but his supporting defense doesn’t measure up to the other QBs in the conference.
A lot has to go right to play in February.
Texansballer74
The Marine
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
II hope that all this converts to the expected improved performance. I still remain guarded that strength and speed was Stroud's last year's problem. If you're willing to give Stroud the benefit of the doubt...........that the offensive line and the play calling was a significant problem, I still find it difficult to get past the type of shoulder injury that would have best been treated with surgical reinforcement..........and the decision making I observed too often, which is something that will not likely improve with increased strength and speed alone.
***************************
Texans QB C.J. Stroud working to become stronger, faster
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he worked to be faster and stronger this offseason.
DJ Bien-AimeJul 14, 2025, 06:00 AM ET
HOUSTON -- As he evolves in his NFL journey, one of his main focuses this offseason has been body transformation.
The quarterback understood his training would have "risk and reward," but heading into Year 3, he felt he needed a change.
"I've been working really hard on getting my body right -- losing body fat, trying to be faster, stronger," Stroud said. "And it went really well. ... [Working] pocket mobility, running out the pocket, throwing the rock. Everything kind of works hand in hand."
The extra work left him with in his throwing shoulder that caused him to miss practices this spring, but he felt it was necessary after he saw dips in passing yards (3,727) and touchdowns (20) in Year 2 after being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in a season where he had 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.
Best of NFL Nation
He also threw 12 interceptions last season, seven more than his rookie year.
"I [came in] pretty early with [assistant strength and conditioning coach Clint Martin]," Stroud said of his extra work. "There's always a risk to working hard, so it was a great offseason. I think I got that done."
Coach DeMeco Ryans hopes to see improvement under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley to help them "get over the hump."
"You get mental reps out here," Caley said during practices. "Being out here, [Stroud's] involved in all the communication. He's tapped in, he's into it. I've been very pleased when he's out here."
Before former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was fired this offseason, the offense sputtered in his second year. The Texans ranked 22nd in yards per game (319.7) and 19th in points per game (21.9) despite winning the AFC South for a second consecutive season.
Part of the issue last season was Stroud taking too many hits. So he worked on his speed to help him evade defenders in the pocket. In 2024, he was sacked 52 times, second most in the NFL, and was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks (second most), according to Next Gen Stats.
Stroud hit 19.7 mph in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys on a 20-yard scramble, 28th highest for quarterback scrambles in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats. Also, Stroud ranked 16th in scramble rushing yards (240) in 2024. So, increasing his speed could make him more of a dual threat.
Catch up on the NFL offseason
"[I had personal bests] on almost everything this offseason, which has been really dope," Stroud said during mandatory minicamp.
Last season, Stroud had 99 dropbacks that turned into scrambles (seventh most), an increase from 2023 when he had 83 (eighth most).
Stroud's completion percentage during scramble plays improved from 32% in his rookie year to 49.1% last season, but he saw an uptick in turnovers on such plays. In 2023, he had three touchdowns and no interceptions. In comparison to Year 2, where he had four touchdowns but threw three interceptions.
"It starts in the film room," Caley said. "Starts in the meeting and the preparation going into it and trying to prepare and learn the details and nuances of everything we are doing."
With a new offensive coordinator in place, the relationship between Caley and Stroud will be paramount for the Texans' success. So far, Caley has been impressed with the preparation from his signal-caller, but the big question will be can the two help the franchise at least reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time?
"I'm very, very grateful [for my progression]," Stroud said. "But now it's ball time, and this offseason will be very important on getting back with my throwing regimen and with my guys in L.A. So, I got those things done, and I'm grateful for it."
Last edited:
badboy
Hall of Fame
What? You want a miracle! LOL
