Question wasn't directed at me but as a Buckeye fan I watched every game of Stroud's and alot of Deshaun's, including the 2016 semi-final.
They are polar opposites in my opinion. Watson is a gamer but doesn't have close to the arm talent Stroud has. Stroud is elite in aticipation and accuracy. Watson is a better athlete, much more competitive, and makes defenses respect his ability to pick up yards with his legs.
Up until the Georgia game, picking up yards on the ground when available was something Stroud wasn't willing to do. Much of his struggles against pressure wasn't from blitzes or quick pressures, his line gave up very few of those. They came mostly when he refused to take the rush lanes given by the defense. I can't say if it was coaching or Stroud's reluctance but multiple times a game he would have opportunities to pick up easy 1st downs but would hold the ball and take a sack or throw it out of bounds. Against Georgia he took what the defense gave him and played a great game, which the Buckeyes had won twice if not for a couple very controversial calls.
Stroud is a rare example of a QB that will have less talent at receiver when moving from college to NFL. Facing better DBs with lesser WRs, if Stroud is reluctant to do everything in his power to win games it will show very quickly.
Very accurate breakdowns of players.
Wonder about Ryan Day and his impact on Stroud vs Justin Fields when it comes to rushing department? Stroud sure seems like more of a traditional QB than a read option like Fields who has elite running skills and speed. Stroud also has a much more accurate arm as you pointed out vs DW, throw Fields in that as well. Stroud is a more fluid, smooth athlete than overpowering athletically gifted violent runner, relying on IQ (S2 measures cognitive reaction time primarily not total processing functioning). In Strouds own words about Justin Fields, “He ain’t no damn running back. He’s a quarterback. He can sling that rock," Stroud said. "I don’t want to go there. That’s his team.” Yet, Justin Fields was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 2 player nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Fields 2019
3,273 yards passing 41 Touchdowns 3 Interceptions and 484 yards 10 TDs rushing.
Fields 2020 (shortened Covid season)
2,100 yards passing 22 Touchdowns 6 Interceptions and 383 yards 5 TDs rushing.
Stroud 2021
4,435 yards passing 44 Touchdowns 6 Interceptions and negative 20 yards 0 TD’s rushing.
Stroud 2022
3688 yards passing 41 Touchdowns 6 Interceptions and 108 yards 0 TDs rushing.
For reference, Shane Day was Buckeye Head Coach starting in 2019. Which really showcases the differences between skill sets.
Texan OL should provide better pass pro, for one upgraded personnel two better system fit to balance the run & pass. Very impressed with transitional changes being made to both. Anyone else say Juice Scruggs is a reach because Texans drafted him end of second round, will find a legitimate starting NFL center to groom with a franchise QB, don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Both edges are set and should get elite guard play. Only thing that scares the hell out of me is depth. Loose a starter, will create some matchup nightmares, loose a couple it could double the nightmares.
I’ve watched the Chargers, totally rebuild their OL for Justin Herbert. It’s taken them 3 full seasons and a lot of heartbreak (due to injuries) that have derailed them. For the Texans to do it in only two seasons maybe a reach, but like direction and pieces in place. Slowik won’t expose Stroud unnecessarily but he will be asked to run more to convert those third down situations and breakdowns in coverage you can bet on that.