Should CJ Stroud or Davis Mills Be the Starting QB?

Originally aired on November 22, 2025. On this episode, Cole Thompson speaks with Michael Shapiro, sports reporter at Chron.com, to talk all things Rockets. Cole also takes calls ranging from the Astrodome to UH basketball. It's the people's show, with "sports talk therapist" Cole Thompson.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here's seven nineties Cole Thompson, shangu thought about the tie.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Sheffick's definitely thinking about the tie, and he's gonna tie
the game.

Speaker 1 (00:11):
Wow won a season and infer make for number fifteen.
He's got four to three pointers, had twenty first half points.
Lobs it into Shangoon, down to nine seconds, hands it
off to Jabbari, a contestant side pocket three is good.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Won ten to one o nine and.

Speaker 1 (00:28):
A quick foul or they're gonna call a timeout first.
It's a timeout two point seven seconds for remaining two
point seven.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Thompson to Shangoon. He's at mid court for the tie.

Speaker 3 (00:39):
It is up.

Speaker 4 (00:40):
It's all right, it's no good, and the Nuggets win
this game.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Final score Denver one twelve, Houston one oh nine.

Speaker 2 (00:51):
I'm telling you now, you heard it here first.

Speaker 5 (00:55):
You got a preview of what you can expect in
the Western Conference finals. Come May, Oh, come on into
Space City Saturday, right here with Cole Thompson.

Speaker 2 (01:03):
Seven to one to three, two point two, five seven nine.

Speaker 5 (01:05):
If you want to chime on in Rockets they lose,
Texans they win.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Cougars live at the.

Speaker 5 (01:11):
Big twelve College football playoffs, all still on the Horizon.
We got two hours to be locked on in on
all things Houston sports. So you know that number seven
one three, two, p one two, five, seven to nine
if you want to talk any subject surrounding your teams
here in Houston, all right, one twelve one oh nine Final.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
Score, Toyota Center.

Speaker 5 (01:30):
Great game, like, exceptional atmosphere, great performance from what you
want to see from a lot of the role players
last night. The only argument that I have in this
is something with the NBA more so than anything else. Guys,
I get that you're trying to make the NBA Cup
like a really cool experience. I completely understand that you're
trying to make it to where the ambiance is at
the highest level, no more the red court like it's

(01:52):
an isore on television. I'm sitting inside of Pluckers last night.
I don't really care. I'll go ahead and give Pluckers
a little bit of appreciation. Sitting there as Jabari Smith
and Reed Shepherd are pulling away in the second quarter,
helping the Rockets build a substantial lead, and it's just
like the way that the shine of the court kind
of like ricocheted off of your eyes. It became a

(02:13):
sore like it ended up becoming like a really big
negative that kind of smacked you in the face and
you felt like you had to kind of like veer
away a little bit, like you need to turn the
brightness down on the television screens.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
Not about that.

Speaker 5 (02:25):
This game came out to two main elements, but number one,
I was very excited to go ahead and watch this matchup.
For me personally, I said at the start of the year,
I think that the Denver Nuggets are the most complete
team in the NBA. Offensively, defensively, they have everything that
you want with the superstar nicolea Jokic, They're healthier. I
love the trade of moving off of Michael Porter Junior
to bring in Cam Johnson. They did so many good things.

(02:48):
I thought they would be the Western Conference leaders. I
thought they would surpass Oklahoma.

Speaker 2 (02:53):
City this past year.

Speaker 5 (02:54):
I figured it would be them and Houston, Okase fighting
for the Western Conference title, and then I picked them
to actually win.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
The Western Conference this year.

Speaker 5 (03:02):
So I felt really good about that pick. But the
Rockets have been so pesky about making teams have fundamental
issues around the rim. They're one of the best offensive
rebounding teams, if not the best offensive rebounding team in
the NFL. This felt like a matchup to kind of
figure out where these two teams sat in the pecking
order of dominance in the prolific pile of what is

(03:23):
the Western Conference standings, And they delivered back and forth
blows reached Shepherd once again, My dude is having a season.
Who knew that all you needed was one year to
kind of get acclimated with the NBA and you would
be right back in the saddle of being able to
show why you are one of the more complete players
and worthy of that number three overall pick. Now, let's
see if he can continue this pathway through a eighty

(03:44):
two game stretch. But I'll tell you what, it's beyond
exciting to see how well he has become such a
major influence on this rotation, coming off of the bench,
finding a way to have a major role when it
comes to scoring twenty seven points last night. But this
was really an enticing game because there's two main elements
I look at. The Rockets are currently the number one
team in the NBA when it comes to second chance

(04:08):
offensive rebounds. They're great around the rim with autbring shing
Goon and Aman Thompson and Jabari Smith and Kate d
down low. They're able to make plays and create opportunities
for this offense to strike if they miss a shot.
But on the opposing side, you saw Denver, one of
the better defensive teams, especially around the rim, be able
to be physically outworking you and out working most opponents

(04:31):
to where this was I think going to decide the game,
and surprisingly I was completely wrong. Can anyone tell me
who led last night in total rebounds?

Speaker 2 (04:40):
Anybody? The Rockets did.

Speaker 5 (04:43):
Rockets actually were better when it came in too offensive
rebounds and they only were two off of defensive rebounds.
They did a good job of creating opportunities download to
hold their own against against Denver. But what this really
came down to, in my opinion, was your stars stepping
up in the moment that mattered most. Listen, Kevin Durant's
gonna have it off night. I can all say, I

(05:05):
think we can all agree, You're not gonna be back
in a thousand a two game stretch. It's just not
gonna happen. Nobody's gonna have that ability. But the thing
is is that when it comes down to those final
twelve minutes, in a must win game against an opponent
that you feel like is probably going to be right
alongside you in all conversations of who can be thrown

(05:26):
the thunder, who can go toe to toe with Oklahoma City,
who can shut down the free throw merchant, who can
make sure that chet Halgrim looks like a whip, Who
can make sure that Isaiah harten Sign doesn't do anything?

Speaker 2 (05:37):
You need to have your stars step on up.

Speaker 5 (05:39):
And the beauty of what a team like Oklahoma I
mean that what Houston has is you have an aging
star and a rising star kind of coacting and living
in the same world together, trying to build a rapport
that is going to be manageable for the long term,
which is almost as good as having a superstar. And
in my opinion, who is the best player currently in
the NBA in Nikola Jokic to where you can outwork him. Well,

(06:02):
there are times, however, where unfortunately this is where it
comes back to by you not having that elite god
all hurly type of player. Nikolaejogicch in the fourth quarter
was the difference of this game, and he showed on
up twenty four points in the final twelve minute I
mean the second half eleven to twenty from the field.
You also had thirty four points, ten rebounds, nine assists

(06:23):
to be able to kind of build that repertoire and
then for Jamal Murray to go ahead and add in
a double double with twenty six and ten. That's what
makes Denver such a team that I think the ut
they have on your radar if you do not believe
that they can go win at all. They're great defensive lane,
their offense is fully healthy. They were able to go
ahead and with Stam big time blows hits plays down low,

(06:43):
they're able to be proactive when it comes to making
plays toward the rim. They can shoot well from downtown,
they can play with inside the arc. They do a
lot of good things. And this is not a shot
the Rockets. But the Rockets did not have their two
biggest stars showing up in the critical moments last night.
Kevin urraanfish with their team points. Alprin Shingoon finished with

(07:03):
a finish with fourteen points. Both were very limited when
it came to rebounds a combined total if I'm not
gonna take it a thirteen. They also were very limited
when it came to steals they two. They also had
Kevin Durant had most of his rebounds Defensively, it was
not a Knight to where you need your two stars
to kind of show on up and deliver in the

(07:25):
biggest stage where they were able to accomplish that. And
ultimately that's where there is a separation, I think right
now between Denver and Houston.

Speaker 2 (07:33):
Now, give a lot of credit.

Speaker 5 (07:34):
There were a national multitude of people that said Houston
because of ball handling issues, but Fred van Vliet went
down they were gonna regress, like, yeah, they'd be a
playoff team. Yeah, they'd probably be a top four seed,
but you could see them losing in the first round.
You could easily see them dropping a game when it
comes to second round. I think that a lot of
those questions have been answered because of the emergence of

(07:54):
guys like Ree Shepherd, Josha Koge off of the bench,
which getting at times with Aaron Holliday. What's your seeing
from guys like Jabari Smith having a good start to
the season and Thompson kind of filling in that role
as the one at times. So there's a lot of
things that like Houston's been able to answer. But the
bigger question that I have right now is when the
moments are kind of squeezed on down to two or

(08:15):
three plays or drives to the bucket, do you have
your two best players delivering at an elite level? And
right now you don't, or at least you didn't last night.
And that's not to say that Kevin Durantz washed. That's
not saying that Kevin Durant is not going to be
able to kind of figure things out.

Speaker 2 (08:31):
It's just to say that at this.

Speaker 5 (08:33):
Point on a game to where you needed seven a
player you traded for from Oakland from Phoenix to come
on in and albring shing Gud, who you believe is
going to be an all NBA tight talent, they didn't deliver.
And on the opposing side, Joker did and he played
the wild card and ultimately he had the Royal Flush

(08:53):
and you overhit.

Speaker 2 (08:55):
I mean, that was kind of it. You had a
two pair and he beat you in the game of cards.
He had the best and.

Speaker 5 (09:00):
Possible at the right time, and that is why a
team won. That is why you saw Nikola jokicchen company
be able to win this game. That doesn't mean that
the Rockets are not good In fact, I'd come away
more impressed with seeing how well the Rockets were able
to respond on multiple different insists, Like it was a
terrible run to begin the game, Like anyone remember twenty
five to twelve to begin the first quarter, they went

(09:22):
like on a twenty to nine run, if I'm not mistaken.
And then Houston comes back and they drop thirty seven,
and they take the lead into the half. Like the
confidence and the ability of this team playing on all
cylinders and more specifically never having that panic mode. It's
very clear that they can withstand anything thrown their way

(09:43):
when it comes to April and May, when it comes
to the playoffs. And this feels like a preview of
what you're gonna see in a seven game stretch to
send a team to the NBA Finals.

Speaker 2 (09:53):
It does, and I get it. Oklahoma City still exists.

Speaker 5 (09:57):
Naturally, you can see another team kind of come out
of that would work for the Western Conference. But let's
just call a space pade. Guys, the three best teams
currently in the Western Conference.

Speaker 2 (10:05):
It's Houston.

Speaker 5 (10:06):
They're arguably the best offensive team. When they are playing
at its peak, they are the best offensive team. It's
Oklahoma City, and it's Denver. I think at some point
San Antonio is gonna come back down to reality. There'll
be a playoff team, nothing more, nothing less, just a
team that is making it with Wemby and Castle.

Speaker 2 (10:25):
And Deer and Fox, and they'll be a first round exit.

Speaker 5 (10:28):
Phoenix that currently is the number six seed at the
season where to end a day, they're gonna eventually regress.
I could see them being like in the playing tournament,
but they're not gonna be that high. Los Angeles is
probably my pick to be in that number four spot.
You got Luca, You're seeing the offense take another step forward.
Austin Reeve's been killing it as of late. But like,
I'm not buying in them in a seven game stretch
to beat Houston. I'm certainly not with Oklahoma City and

(10:49):
I'm definitely not with Denver.

Speaker 2 (10:51):
So those are your three teams.

Speaker 5 (10:53):
And I think that last night, watching the continuity, the identity,
the consistency of the offense coming together, that was probably
good enough to feel like that. You know that you
lost the game, but you didn't lose your composer.

Speaker 2 (11:06):
You didn't lose.

Speaker 5 (11:07):
In my opinion, what has made the Rockets so dominant
this season got a couple things to work on. Defensively,
you had a really good night down around the rim,
but you gotta be able to close on out and
you gotta be able to do so with your star players.

Speaker 2 (11:20):
And I'm just gonna keep coming back to that.

Speaker 5 (11:22):
When you look at what you had with Katie, when
you look at what you had with Alfren Shingoon, these
are supposed to be the guys that are the closers.
They're supposed to be your Josh haters. They're supposed to
be your Edwin diez Is. They're supposed to be the
guys that come on in and deliver when the moment.

Speaker 2 (11:38):
Is at its peak.

Speaker 5 (11:40):
You could hear a pin drop in the stadium and
they're not even breaking a sweat.

Speaker 2 (11:44):
And they had that on one.

Speaker 5 (11:46):
Side of the bench last night with Nicola Jokic, and
the Rockets didn't habit, which is why one team walked
away with the win. They moved to in one and
Cup play, and the Rockets come back home, they're gonna
be looking for answers. They're gonna be looking to fix
some things before they retake the court later on this week.
Seven ninety quickly, let's hear a little bit from email.
Dug a post game on his thoughts on the overall matchup.

Speaker 3 (12:07):
Seemed like late in the game back on two man
games between Nicola and Jamal, kind of they kept going
that well again and again. Is there anything you guys
could have done to defend that better in your estimation?

Speaker 6 (12:18):
I mean, we did okay early I think going after him, Uh,
Murray when when Yolkis is on the court, you know
you want to you want to try to take one out,
but it's tougher when obviously jolkis in there any shooting
it the way he did. But the rotations were okay,
a little late at times, and you're gonna live with
some other guys taking some shots and they missed their

(12:39):
fair amount, but we didn't clean up the glass the
whole time.

Speaker 4 (12:42):
Uh.

Speaker 6 (12:42):
And then obviously our rotation on the layup that put
them up for uh was way too slow. We got
to stop in the pick and roll first, little man,
I gotta be coming across. Make somebody else beat us.

Speaker 7 (12:53):
Kevin and albertin combined eleven of twenty nine shooting to night.
Just kind of what were you seeing as far as
some of their struggles in this game.

Speaker 6 (13:00):
Playing the crowd a little bit. You know, it's kind
of indicative of the last few plays. Uh, you guys
open and in the pocket, got to make the right
reads and so shooting over too or guys you know
their team that packs the paint heavy and if you
get in there, be strong with the ball the kickouts
and they'll be there. And we just kind of watched
it on a video and guys are wide open there,
so just forcing a few shots and then just a

(13:22):
little too stagnant times to start the game. And the
third quarter, I got to play with more pace. I think, well,
Steven came in and some guys came in and set
screens with some pace, and.

Speaker 4 (13:31):
We get down here with the roll. Like I said,
you get that open look.

Speaker 6 (13:33):
And a little too stagnant overall, but really still had
really good looks, especially in the first half that we
missed that were pretty open.

Speaker 3 (13:41):
Did you want your guys to be more intentional? I
guess about getting the ball to Kevin. They're in the
fourth quarter. Were you happy with how to flow the
offense west?

Speaker 4 (13:47):
Now it depends make or miss me. We're kind of pushing.

Speaker 6 (13:50):
We're not going to slow the pace down to try
to find somebody I think, you know, involving y'all getcher
certain guys and actions was working well for us regardless.
It was in there and as long as we you know,
set solid screens and roll, you know you're gonna get
in the pocket and get good looks.

Speaker 4 (14:04):
And so it was a little bit of both.

Speaker 6 (14:06):
We want to go to our guys at times, but
on rebounds we're happy to push and get down on transition.

Speaker 8 (14:12):
And play against a non set defense. Shoon had had
four turnovers in the game. Is that something that you
guys feel like you kind of have to live with
given the way the offense runs or is there something
is that more so the plane into the crowd kind
of like how you're saying her.

Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, I mean especially the last two.

Speaker 6 (14:29):
I mean it's not a turnover, block shot and then
the note look drop off to them in those ones
are tough. You know, the block shot is as good
as a turnover. So you don't just live with them.
You know what this team does, and you gotta you know,
be strong in the pocket and find your outlets. But
the way that Jabbari and Red stepped up tonight is
that what you want to see more from them when

(14:50):
people try to take Kevin out of the game.

Speaker 4 (14:53):
Yeah, I mean you've seen it all year.

Speaker 6 (14:55):
Teams are going after those two and guys got to
be aggressive and hunt their shots. But you know, you
only have a certain amount of good, great defenders on
the court, and if they're occupied with the other guys,
some guys gotta win their matchups. And I think obviously
read came in aggressive there, and then Shabari after poor
shooting started, got to.

Speaker 4 (15:12):
Go in the second half.

Speaker 6 (15:13):
And so it's not just them being more aggressive, it's
our guys doing what they've done all year during that crowd,
and then those guys being confident knocking it down and
they did that.

Speaker 7 (15:22):
Continuing on, Reid had a career high twenty seven. Just
what was he able to do for you guys offensively,
especially in that second quarter here you.

Speaker 6 (15:29):
Got us go and got us back into it when
we were kind of bogged down, you know, not getting
into our sets. He played with the proper pace and
then like I said, I think him and Steven had
a good thing going with the screens in the in
the pace and you know the big are going to
be back if you come with some pace and it's
not just slow and stagnant, You'll walk into some of
those shots and he's aggressive hunting those.

Speaker 7 (15:50):
You started Steven tonight and then elected to start Reid
in the second half. Just kind of what went into
that decision and what did you see about some of
the lineups with the double big versus you know, maybe
some Blinne with a little bit more spacing out there.

Speaker 6 (16:01):
Yeah, Aaron Gordon getting hurt and missing the second last
three quarters, we didn't want to go big with their
smaller line up there, and so once he's out of
the lineup, we went to.

Speaker 4 (16:11):
A small lineup.

Speaker 6 (16:11):
We read and then second part, I'm sorry, just.

Speaker 7 (16:18):
Just that you know, what, what were you seeing as
far as some of the spacing is concerned, kind of
going smaller versus you know, having Adams and Alpi out
there at the same day.

Speaker 6 (16:27):
I mean, the space wasn't the best to night in general.
I think at times, you know, you got there our
bigs and I'm in out there, and you know, a
man's really good in the dunker, but it felt like
we were creeping in too much and kind of bogged down.
They had two bigs out there as well, so it's
kind of wrestling mass and the paint, and we elected
to go away from that majority of the second half.

Speaker 5 (16:46):
All right, seven one, three, two, five, seven ninety. Couple
things I want to take away as we come back.
When we come back in second We're gonna do this
a little bit later on again. You're you're trailing by four.
It's a twenty to nine run over the last six minutes.
A couple of big three throws from Jamal Murray twenty
three seconds remaining was ultimately all she wrote. But Reed Shepherd,
I'm on Thompson. Part of the reason why I'm so

(17:07):
confident in the direction of where this Rockets team is
going is because of the role players. I'll explain more
about why I think Reed Shepherd could be the wild
card that ultimately gets Houston into that number one seed.
Conversation if this can continue for one more month, one
segment down, seven more to go, and a ton of
other things, including Michael Shapiro from Crown dot Com at

(17:30):
eleven thirty, we're just off and running right here on
a space Cita Saturday Sports Talk, seven ninety. We have
beauty going on in the palace on the Prairie. College
football guys, I don't know if you know this it
feels like a boring weekend.

Speaker 2 (17:49):
It's not.

Speaker 5 (17:50):
Chaos is about ready to ensue completely if some of
these scores continue to hold.

Speaker 2 (17:56):
But it is Space City Saturday right here.

Speaker 5 (17:58):
On Sports Talk seven to ninety, Copson rock with Chew
until one o'clock Rockets, they lose, Texans, they win, and
CP three is calling it a career after this season
seven seven ninety. Okay, so I talked about this right
before we went to break. I really really like what

(18:18):
I'm seeing from Reed Shepard, and by the way, there
are some other good role players that we got to mention.
I think that Jabari Smith is quietly having the best
start to his career. I think you're seeing Aman Thompson
get more comfortable running this offense with the pick and
rolls and playing at the top of the rim. I
think that you're seeing both both Alpha Changoon and Katie
live up to their expectations for the most part. Did
last night again combine eleven of twenty four from the

(18:41):
field from I mistaken, not a good game, and neither
had more than I think it was thirty more than
thirteen points. Very underwhelming performance offensively from them. But the
role players is why you're starting to buy a lot
more stock into what we have seen from this Rockets
team as they look to improve tonight when they retake
the court against the Sacramento Kings. You can look to
it right here on Sports Talks. I mean you can

(19:01):
listen to it on k t r H. I'm not
mistaken because we have LSU versus Western Kentucky, So make
sure you go ahead and tune into that with Matt Thomas.

Speaker 2 (19:11):
And I believe it's gonna be Clinton anyways.

Speaker 5 (19:13):
So the reason why read Shepherd to me, maybe the
key to all of this happening and being an X
factor is you know his role and basically teams are
having to prepare for it when he's on the court.
So like last night, they lose Aaron Gordon in the
very early minutes of the game, I think it was
like three or four minutes and dealing with a hamstring injury.

(19:33):
Aaron Gordon, in my opinion, is the most versatile defender
that Denver has. He does a little bit of everything
at a high end level. He's not elite at anything,
but he is really really good at a lot of
things around the rim. He can guard in the open court,
he can basically play against smaller guys.

Speaker 2 (19:49):
He can play against the bigs. He does a lot
of things that you like. And so when you.

Speaker 5 (19:52):
Lost him and you hear you heard, you may talk
about it, they went to more of the smaller approach
because of Reed Shepherd.

Speaker 2 (20:00):
So teams are having to prepare to how to.

Speaker 5 (20:02):
Guard Reid because when you have a kid that's currently
standing at six foot three and is draining from downtown
on the regular, you don't want him to be the
reason you win. So what does that do water force
to do one of two elements Either a you put
all your attention on making sure that Red isn't draining
threes or you got to play in a morizone set
that actually ends up benefiting guys like Alprinshing, gun Amen

(20:25):
Thompson and Katie around the rim. So he, in my opinion,
is such an X factor because the teams are weary
of knowing he can pull it up at any moment
and just draining the easy shot and they take the lead.
But here's the beauty of what is a guy like
Reed Shepherd. He's getting better, Like he's a six man
who last night played thirty seven minutes. I think that's

(20:45):
the highest so far this season, but not mistaken. On
top of that career high twenty seven points, he also
had two steals, had four assists. His free throw percentage
he was four to six from the court. Okay, he's
had better games than that, but three point percentage once
again in the sixties. The dude is getting comfortable shooting

(21:07):
around the rim. Dude's getting comfortable playing inside the paint,
and he also is just an easy bucket from downtown.
This season alone, he's currently shooting at was it, fifty
three point three percent for the field this season, He's
been great. My bad, I apologize that was wrong. That

(21:30):
was in the month of September. For the season, he's
shooting sixty eight point two percent of the field, so again,
great numbers from downtown.

Speaker 2 (21:39):
He's playing with more.

Speaker 5 (21:40):
Confidence, He's able to shoot easily from inside the paint.
He feels like that he is like that missing element.
And it was a big time deal because of remember,
a lot of people wondered, how was the ball handling
going to be approached when you didn't have a Fred
VanVleet out there? How were you not going to be
able to get his impact involved on the little details
that can carry a.

Speaker 2 (22:00):
Long way well.

Speaker 5 (22:02):
Having the experience and having a guy like Reed Shepherd
cans to step into that role and actually surprisingly my
opping and be really really really better when it.

Speaker 2 (22:11):
Comes to shooting you out.

Speaker 5 (22:12):
All that together, that gives you a better offensive spark,
that gives you a little bit more of an identity
on the offensive side, and it gives you.

Speaker 2 (22:19):
A little bit more custo.

Speaker 5 (22:20):
So, like I think, at this point, Reaed Shepherd has
got to be your X factor player until proven otherwise.
Now again, anything can happen. We could see him start
to regress. You can go through some cold streaks. Everyone
has it. It just is the nature of the industry.
But let's say he plays extremely well against Kings, I

(22:41):
mean my bat, the the the Suns.

Speaker 2 (22:43):
My apologies.

Speaker 5 (22:45):
Let's say after they play really well against the Suns
on Monday, they play on Wednesday at Golden State, two
games against Utah and then Sacramento. There was Sacramento game.
My apologies on that one. You add all that together,
Let's say that he has an another five games, shooting
sixty seven percent from the field, fifty five from three,

(23:05):
and he's averaging anywhere between fifteen to twenty one points,
his numbers are gonna have to go up, and if
his numbers go up, teams are gonna have to prepare
to how to play for the small versus the big,
and that's gonna be the case.

Speaker 2 (23:20):
Add all this together, what does that mean?

Speaker 5 (23:23):
It means that now you are preparing to have a
guy like Reed Shepherd as an X factor point of
your offense, and that now gives you a small that
gives you two bigs down low, that gives you two
role players and Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith for your
starting lineup. Or when he comes off of the bench,
he's playing more minutes because of Steven Adams is no
longer as necessary.

Speaker 2 (23:42):
It makes you one of the more complete teams in
the league.

Speaker 5 (23:45):
So I look right now and I'm saying that Reed
Shepherd the next ten games could give us a pretty
good insight on how the Rockets offense is gonna be
run for the rest of the season. And if he
can get involved, like really, really, really involved, I think
that there is a scenario where once again you put
him in the starting lineup and now he is the

(24:07):
reason why you're able to jump into that conversation for
the number one seed you still got Namen, you still
got Ja Bori. You still have really really really good
play from apputun Gun and also from KD. But I
just like, so far the impact of what fifteen is
doing one year ago, after some decided, hey trade him,
move him somewhere else, is even going to see minutes.

(24:27):
He is now being possibly the reason why you were
in every single game. He was the reason why you
were in it against I mean against Orlando at times.
He was the reason why you were able to capitalize
against Washington. He had a big time performance against Cleveland.
He certainly had a big time performance in a loss
last night. You got to continue to carry that pathway
seven one three two one two five seven ninety take quick.

Speaker 2 (24:47):
Time out when we come back.

Speaker 5 (24:49):
Michael Shapiro his thoughts, Western Conference, picture, the Rockets, and
who is the player.

Speaker 2 (24:56):
That we need to be paying more attention to Over
the next.

Speaker 5 (24:59):
Three weeks, we'll discuss all that more Space A Saturday
rolling right along right here on Sports Talk seven ninety.
Space a Saturday rolling right along here on Sports Talk
seven ninety. Cole Thompson rock with you until one o'clock.

Speaker 2 (25:16):
Alway feels like.

Speaker 5 (25:17):
I should say on longer oh well, seven one nine.
If you want time on in, especially if you want
to hear from our friend Michael Shapiro from Crown dot com,
give him a follow on Twitter at mshapp Underscore too. Michael,
I must start off with this, dude, I gotta get
your opinion. I said this in the first segment. I'm
going to continue to preach this.

Speaker 2 (25:35):
Last night. Did we watch a preview up?

Speaker 5 (25:38):
Potentially the Western Conference Finals take place at Toyota Center.

Speaker 3 (25:43):
Here's my guess for you, Cole. Also, good morning. I
expect that this will be the Western Conference semifinals.

Speaker 9 (25:50):
Right.

Speaker 3 (25:50):
If we have to draw it up, you have to
assume the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the number one
seat in the Western Conference. They're a wagon. My guests
will get number two Denver, number three Houston, or flip
the order in a knockdown or dragout second round matchup
in which the winner would likely face Oklahoma City.

Speaker 5 (26:07):
Now, let me ask you, after what you saw last night,
good offensive performance from me. Let me first up a
good offensive rebounding team in Houston, a good defensive rebounding
team in Denver. Actually ended up Houston having a better
rebounding performance overall, there's only like a two defensive rebound
differential between the two.

Speaker 2 (26:23):
Who do you think has a better.

Speaker 5 (26:24):
Shot of de throning Oklahoma City as the favorites in
the Western Conference right now?

Speaker 3 (26:29):
Man, that's a pretty tough question because, okay, see, just
looks like they have so few holes. I think you
have to give the nod to Denver right now, just
because they do have the best player alive in Nikola Jokic.
I'll tell anyone who will listen that Nicola is just
an absolute delight to watch. He is absolutely dominant to face.
Doesn't mean the Rockets couldn't knock off either the Nuggets

(26:50):
or the Thunder or possibly both, but I think right
now the hierarchy probably goes okay see, then that second
tier is Denver and Houston kind of smoshed together.

Speaker 5 (26:59):
Michael Night thirty seven minutes from reed. Shepherd just the
kid's a wagon right now. He is off the track
twenty seven points. He's great when it comes to execution
on assist. He's getting better when it comes to steals.
He's playing I think a little bit more physically defensively.
He's also had to getting a lot more comfortable being
able to drive toward the rim. Just how impressive you

(27:19):
been in his performance and after talking to Emay, do
you think it the role is going to be a
little bit more substantially bigger or do you think that
because of losing Aaron Gordon, Houston realized, listen, we can
run our small package and still be pretty good offensively.

Speaker 3 (27:33):
With regards to last night specifically, I do think reed
starting in the second half was because of that Aaron
Gordon injury. But more importantly and moreover, this reached Shepherd
kid is steeling pretty confident right now. Right you see
him yelling after three. He's in the faith of Tim
Hardaway Junior. We see him getting hyped on the bench
with Kevin Durant. He feels like he belongs this year,
which I think wasn't exactly the case last year. The

(27:55):
kid's an impressive shooter, as you mentioned, he's really improved
on this two point kind of mid rain, stop and
go driving game. He's an amazing three point shooter, such
a smooth stroke, but he's prove it to be more
than that. And yeah, I do expect him to get
more run from eating Udoka as a lead ball handler.

Speaker 5 (28:11):
Michael Shapiro from Crown dot Com. Give him a follow
on Twitter at mshaft two. We're always gonna call it
Twitter here, Michael. When you look back, what was the
issue in the second half from closing in for Kevin
derant aufrit Shangoon. They did a good job of kind
of playing in that triangle formation and boxing them out,
but really overall offensive inconsistencies from both of them, and
it felt like that, Yeah, you could afford to have

(28:32):
one of them have a bad performance, you couldn't afford
to have two.

Speaker 3 (28:36):
I thought that was a pretty championship defensive performance from
Denver late there. They were so smart. They really packed
the paint. Quaggolane made the Houston others, whether it's Jabari
Smith Junior, honestly, he was a guy they left open
a lot in that corner. They said, we're not going
to let Alprin in the middle beat us time and again,
and they swarmed the paint and guess what, it worked.

(28:57):
They forced four turnovers on Sheng Gun and I heard
the Denver locker room post game they say, and Alberton
always shrows that pocket pass. We knew that pocket pass
and the lane was coming. I think Denver had a
lot of prep for Houston's offense tonight, and they had
kind of a funky scheme that took away a lot
of what the Rockets like.

Speaker 2 (29:12):
And you brought this up. I agree with you.

Speaker 5 (29:13):
I think Nikola Jokich is the best player on the
planet right now. But I've always been such a big
fan of Jamal Murray's game. He had twenty six last night,
really good performance in the fourth quarter. When you look
at what happened on that run, twenty to nine, was
six minutes left. Was it basically just coming down to, hey,
the stars for one team stepped on up in the stars,
the other one did it.

Speaker 3 (29:34):
I hate to be kind of, you know, dismissive, or
I guess reductive is a better word, but yeah, I
mean the Jokic Murray pick and roll. When it's right,
when both of those guys are healthy, it might be
the most unstoppable play in basketball. And Jamal Murray, I
think is an underrated, underrated point guard, especially when he's healthy,
clutch player, great in the mid range, and they just
kind of spam that pick and roll. It's Houston defended

(29:55):
it well, but the touch of the Denver shooters, man,
it was pretty impressive. I really enjoyed watching that late
last night.

Speaker 5 (30:00):
Who is the player that you have been the most
impressed with? Not named Reed Shepherd in clutch moments, I thought,
Barr Smith is making that three to make it a
two point game with like, what was it.

Speaker 2 (30:09):
Three seconds left? Was really big. I think he's playing
well defensively.

Speaker 5 (30:12):
There's been a lot to like about both Holiday and
the Kobe coming off of the bench. But in your opinion,
who's been the name that has really kind of taken
that next shout forward?

Speaker 3 (30:22):
This is going to be an annoying answer to you.
I think it's Kevin Durant, right, I mean last year
touch time with the Rockets, you know, last year in
the Rockets and clutch time, it was a lot of
us shrug our shoulders, late shot clock, we don't know
who gets the ball. Last night was a little rough,
but we've had a lot of nights over the past
couple of weeks sort of late in the game, get
the ball to Kevin.

Speaker 9 (30:42):
Get out of the way, and we know who he is. Man.

Speaker 3 (30:44):
He's one of the great closes of all time. And
you can kind of see Imoodoka is delighted and crunch
time that's the guy he can go to.

Speaker 9 (30:50):
Now.

Speaker 3 (30:50):
Pardit Denver last night they crowded Durant a lot. Not
every team is going to be able to defend Kad
like Denver did. We're going to see a lot more
quest moments from Durant down the stretch of the season.

Speaker 5 (31:00):
We know that Email likes to run the jumbo package
a lot, big, big, sound low Steven Adams kd oppera
ching goon, But it does feel like that from the
offensive perspective, Steven Adams has that one game that is
really impressive second chance opportunities around the rim, and then
he goes back back down to being a very good
defensive player, offers little to no value offensively five points

(31:20):
last night. Is there going to come a point where
it does feel like the Rockets if somebody like a
Kogi or somebody like Shephard continues to be such a
value offensively from the field, that they may be willing
to move minutes away from Steven Adams, even though the
jumbo package is what they really are prominent in running.

Speaker 3 (31:40):
Yeah, I think that jumbo double big, that kind of
minute allocation will ebb and flow during the regular season.
I think Steven's going to be a real playoff weapon.
But yeah, I think as the season goes on, expect
more of those minutes to go to reach Shepherd And
something I think right now is no tarry Ethan no
during any Smith. It makes that double big more enticing
for Emay full compliment of Wings. Expect Stevens minutes to

(32:02):
get kind of paired down in this regular season especially.

Speaker 5 (32:05):
You have like five games coming on up between teams
that I don't know if we'll see them be full
on playoff threats, like the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Like,
this is a team that right now, yeah, you could
say that they're in the playoffs hunt, but at the.

Speaker 2 (32:17):
Same time, are they really like we're gonna see them?
I think come back down to reality.

Speaker 5 (32:21):
You also got games against Golden State, two against Utah,
and then you're back home against Sacramento before going in
facing off against Phoenix in Dallas. What's the one thing
that you want to see over the next week and
a half for this offense to kind of get back
on track where it's names outside of Katie and opportune game.

Speaker 3 (32:36):
Let's start with this Monday night matchup. To be honest,
the Phoenix Suns are tough, they're gritty. They're an impressive defense.
With Dylan Brooks of course there. Now I want to
see the rockets young guards handle that pressure.

Speaker 6 (32:47):
Well.

Speaker 3 (32:47):
You know, we talk about Read Shepherd a lot. This
is gonna be a big night for him because I
think they might stick Dylan Brooks on him. See if
you can get himself free. So I think these young guards,
these ball handlers and men Thompson as well. For Houston,
when you go into that's gonna be a tough situation.
Let's see how they handle it.

Speaker 5 (33:02):
Okay, before I let you go, Shapiro, you were the
one to ask Amika Ryan's about the quarterback controversy that
currently is unfolding here in Houston.

Speaker 2 (33:11):
Your stance on CJ.

Speaker 5 (33:12):
Stroud versus Davis Mills three and oh start for the neck,
but also you have a better quarterback number seven?

Speaker 2 (33:20):
Who are you riding with?

Speaker 3 (33:22):
I love that you gave me the platform for this.
I don't think there's a controversy at all. When CJ.
Shroud is healthy, he should be the starter. I asked
the question to allow Jamika Ryans and the Texans to
say yes or no. They said, no controversy. Let's move on.

Speaker 5 (33:36):
All right, Michael Shapirocrown dot Com. Give him a follow
on social media at m chap two Shapiro, Man, you
are the best.

Speaker 2 (33:42):
I'll talk to you soon.

Speaker 3 (33:44):
Thank you, Man. Appreciate you.

Speaker 5 (33:45):
Michael Shapiro, I constantly always enjoy conversations with him, and
I appreciate that he was willing to ask Amika. Ryan's
the question that I think many people in the city
want to hear, and I want to actually go there. Next,
let's talk about the quarterback contents, because that there are
people out there that say it is a controversy between
ten and seven who should be the starting quarterback with

(34:07):
the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Houston Texans in
two weeks. I mean, in ten days, all that more
sports tax seven ninety come on your way next. I'm
not supposed to do this, but I don't really care
what I'm going to. FRANKI heard the conversation about us
talking about Superman, and that's why he's playing the song.

Speaker 2 (34:26):
Isn't It?

Speaker 10 (34:27):
Isn't it?

Speaker 2 (34:28):
Frankie, let's say that. Oh my goodness, what an ending.
I loved the ending of that movie. I did.

Speaker 5 (34:36):
I thought it was a perfect way to tie in
the new version of Superman.

Speaker 2 (34:40):
Have you seen it?

Speaker 9 (34:41):
Oh?

Speaker 2 (34:41):
Yeah, what'd you think?

Speaker 4 (34:42):
I liked it?

Speaker 2 (34:43):
Okay?

Speaker 5 (34:44):
Is it as good as the mans Steel in your opinion?

Speaker 2 (34:49):
Or do you like manteel Moore? I like maybe this
one a little more.

Speaker 5 (34:52):
I think this one has more livelihood to it. I
think of the dark tones of Snyder versus what you
get with James Gunn made this such a more unique
experience watching the movie. I will say and think about
gun is that he's very codependent.

Speaker 2 (35:06):
Oh god it on that line. Ah, such a good ending.

Speaker 5 (35:09):
I think he's more codependentive having all of the side
characters be a bigger role, which sometimes can ruin a
little bit of I think the storyline, But I digress.
It is basically a Saturday right here on sports SOOX
seven ninety Cole Thompson rockwo Show until one o'clock seven
one three two, one two five seven to ninety Rockets.
They lose, Texans, they win. Cougar's looking to win and
keep a ten win campaign alive at TDECU Stadium right

(35:34):
here at three o'clock against TCU seven one three two
one two five seven ninety.

Speaker 2 (35:39):
Okay.

Speaker 5 (35:40):
The controversy of C J. Stroud versus Davis Mills. Davis
Mills right now leading the Texans to a three and
oh start with him as QB one. The Texans back
in the playoff conversation with Davis Mills as the quarterback,
and to be fair, they also be to really qualified

(36:02):
team in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo will be a playoff team.
They are not going to be missing the postseason conversation.
They will be in the playoffs, probably as the sixth seed,
but regardless, they will be around. It's time to start
believing a lot in the Texans and their hopes of
being back into the call, I mean back into the
conversation of playing January football.

Speaker 11 (36:22):
Now.

Speaker 2 (36:22):
Does that mean that they're going to win the division?
I don't think so. There's a lot of things that
they have to prove against Indianapolis.

Speaker 5 (36:28):
There are some things that they have to prove when
they take on Arizona and Las Vegas. But winning this
game and winning one against Indy will at least give
you a bit more validity of your stand to being
a playoff team.

Speaker 2 (36:41):
I still think that.

Speaker 5 (36:42):
Again, as Michael Shapiro said, as everyone else has said,
there should be no quarterback controversy.

Speaker 2 (36:46):
And I get it.

Speaker 5 (36:47):
And if you want to call on in and tell
me why you ride the hot hand with Davis Mills,
so be it. Seven one three, two one two five,
seven to ninety. But guys, let's let's pump the brakes
just a little bit here. I understand that Mills led
the Texans to a three to zero start with him
as the QB one. I understand that you have two
division wins over tennis See and over Jacksonville, and now

(37:12):
you beat Buffalo and you're in a really good spot
to at.

Speaker 2 (37:15):
Least be in the playoffs. I don't know if you'll
win a playoff game.

Speaker 5 (37:19):
I don't know if you will be hosting a playoff game,
but in the playoffs, it's something. It's definitely a thing
that you can look at and say, Okay, we're trending
upward in a lot of ways, but do you want
to really look at the stat line and then tell
me that Davis Mills gives you a better shot than CJ.

Speaker 2 (37:34):
Stroud?

Speaker 5 (37:35):
Like, Davis Mills plays the perfect role in this organization.
And I'll tell you he is gonna be the next
generation's version Chase Daniel. He is gonna be the next
Ryan Fitzpatrick if he just wants to stick around in Houston,
or eventually Houston wants to get younger at the backup
quarterback position, so they go draft a player and they
let him go for a two year, ten million dollar

(37:55):
contract elsewhere. Whatever it is, he's gonna be that guy.
I'm telling you right now that will be Vis Mills,
and he'll be awesome at it. But the thing is
that you want Davis Mills playing no more than three
games in the regular season.

Speaker 2 (38:06):
You do not want him leading your team to a
I mean to.

Speaker 5 (38:10):
A playoff appearance and winning your playoff games. And I
can justify this by one stance. Josh Allen got raggdalled
by the Texans defense for four straight quarters. They got
pressure on him in the second but only got one sack,
and then came the third and fourth quarter and they
completely dismantled him. This man is gonna have nightmares of
Will Anderson, of Danil Hunter, of Sheldon Rankins. Henry Toa

(38:33):
Toa was able to bring down the MVP. Like That's
how elite the Texans defense is. They're great in the
front seven, they're great on the back end. They create coverage, sacks,
they do everything at such a high end level, you
gotta love it. The Texans offense had thirty six yards
in the entire second half and they nearly gave it
up an allowed Buffalo to win the football game. If

(38:55):
not for a miss Pat, they could have kicked a
game tying field goal and they would have maybe set
this game into overtime. And at that point I would
trust Josh Allen over Davis Mills. Like, that's all I
gotta say. That's my argument here. Well, Davis Mills led
us to a three to oher record. Well, Davis Mills
helped us beat two teams. That's cool. Davis Mills had

(39:16):
less than thirty six yards of offense in the final
thirty minutes, the most critical part of the game against
a qualified playoff team.

Speaker 2 (39:26):
That's it.

Speaker 5 (39:28):
You don't win with that mentality. And I understand CJ.
Stroud has not been up to par in year three.
There's still some limitations with him and the offense underneath
the Kaylee and Kaylee is a really good job. I
think of working in the strengths of what is Davis Mills.
But Davis Mills also has shown you this is who
he is as a player. There's not any more that's

(39:48):
gonna come on out. We're not gonna learn in two
years from now. Hey Davis, he's got a great art,
he's got a rocket like he had a little bit
of an elbow surgery and now he basically has turned
into Henry Rowan Gardner from Rookie of the Year, fastballs
fifty yards down the field, make it play after play
after play, putting the team into a position to where
they are viewed as the best in the NFL.

Speaker 2 (40:10):
We're not gonna learn that.

Speaker 5 (40:11):
We know he's a game manager that can hand out
the ball properly, does not put the ball on harm's
way often, and has built a nice report with guys
like Jayden Higgins and Nico Collins to be able to
put them in the end zone. That's what we know,
and that's all you want to ask from a backup quarterback.
And I understand that there are people who are frustrated
with CJ.

Speaker 11 (40:28):
Stroud.

Speaker 2 (40:28):
There's people who are frustrated with the way the offenses
look with CJ.

Speaker 5 (40:30):
Stroud, But let me just remind you of who also
is watching CJ. Stroud practice every single day. In his
in games number ten and number ten was straight up, ass, Hey,
do you think that we.

Speaker 2 (40:45):
Should see a quarterback controversy?

Speaker 5 (40:46):
Like, do you think that you should be competing for
an opportunity to be the starting quarterback for the Texans?

Speaker 12 (40:53):
I mean, in my current situation, I don't think there's
a competition. I mean, CJ is a starter for this team,
just doing everything I can bring my best foot forward
every day, make everyone else around me better and try
to I mean, provide and play my role to my
best ability when I get thrown in there?

Speaker 2 (41:08):
Got it?

Speaker 5 (41:09):
So you understand, like I understand, like most people understand,
you're a backup quarterback because there are some limitations to
your game that eventually could be the reason why. I'm
not saying it will happen, but I am saying there's
enough positivity in traction to believe you could at least
win a game, not win multiple games, and that should
be the case. You're winning games. You're winning games against

(41:33):
unqualified teams. You did so against Jacksonville, you did so
against Ta SNE. You were able to do enough offensively
against a really, really good Buffalo Bills offense because your
defense shut them down and they forced three.

Speaker 2 (41:47):
Turnovers and they forced a turnover.

Speaker 5 (41:49):
On downs and they had eight sacks on the day,
and you didn't turn the ball over in the second
half to give better field positioning for Matt Prater and
Josh Allen. You can't ask some more from a backup
quarter In fact, from my opinion, you're asking a lot
from him already at this point to play in three
straight games. You're seeing at least some positivity and traction
in that standpoint. So he's a backup quarterback. Can we

(42:11):
end this conversation like we don't really need to go
down the road of hey, can Davis Mills really compete
for QB one reps? No, he's not, and it's okay
and better yet, he is very much okay with it,
whether or not you believe that he is seven one
three two one two five seven ninety chime on in
if you believe Davis Mills should be the starting quarterback
over st. J. Stroud after going three to h as

(42:33):
QB one to quick time out, one hour in the books,
one hour left to go, and a ton of things
that we have not talked about with the Texans and
the Cougars, and they're run potentially to go to the
College Football Playoff we'll do all that as we move
on into our number two right here on Sports Talk
seven ninety space, say Saturday.

Speaker 2 (42:57):
And blast off for hour number two.

Speaker 5 (43:00):
We go right here on a space, say Saturday, Cole Thompson,
rock with you till one o'clock seven one three, two,
one two five seven ninety Rockets.

Speaker 2 (43:08):
They lose Texans, they win Cougars.

Speaker 5 (43:12):
You're gonna break the tie breaker in the positive or
negative way against TCU later this afternoon seven one three,
two one two five seven NINEF you want to shy
him on in? All right, let's go to the phone lines.
John on north Side wants to talk Texans.

Speaker 2 (43:25):
John, what's up in?

Speaker 9 (43:27):
Hey, Cole?

Speaker 4 (43:27):
How you doing? Man?

Speaker 2 (43:28):
I am great, I am locked on in.

Speaker 5 (43:31):
I'm excited to hear your take on this one because
they sat, they tell me what the subject matter is
and I want to I'm gonna give you the floor
because I'm completely against it, but I want to hear
your take on it.

Speaker 9 (43:42):
Yeah, you know this one thing we know that you know,
David has improved a little bit from you know when
you look at his spurs Seaton a little bit better.
But watching the game, I mean, David did okay, I'm
not trying to cut him down, but there was some
you know, there was like that passed over in the
corner there where two receivers went to the layup, and
you know, he should have threw the ball to the

(44:02):
receiver that was closer to a touchdown line. I mean,
he you know, he missed some, he missed some easy
throws and stuff like that. And maybe he'll get better,
but of course he's not. No way he's ready. Maybe
I don't think he's ready for start job anywhere. But
you know, Burrios man. You know when before when Barrios

(44:22):
got hurt when he was playing, we hadn't really seen
him since then. I understand that Nick k Lis, you know,
he's new here. He's trying to teach these guys the
system and vice versa. But I would like to see
him soon. Maybe they run a package out there with
the tight ends and with Barrios and the little running

(44:43):
back what's his name, mistake me would it?

Speaker 13 (44:47):
Yeah?

Speaker 9 (44:47):
Because Barrios man, he's he's a little guy, but he
is so quick and fast and he make things happen.
I just hate to see him being buried so much
on the bench. I hope Nick came to come with
a package pretty soon, and you know for him, but
sober I saw Stove just came back. I think he
was in there for one play and David didn't hit him.

(45:09):
He should have hit him a little higher in the chest,
in the stomach, he would have caught the body was
nearly too low. But Stova, man, you see how he
muscled up Man since he'd been injured.

Speaker 5 (45:19):
Yeah, John, I'm gonna push back on one thing. I
get that you want burials, and I know that you
want the smaller guy. I completely got that. Can I
ask you, out of curiosity, can I entice you instead
of burials, we go see a little bit more Jalen
Nole the fourteen number fourteen of Iowa State.

Speaker 9 (45:35):
Then you know, I'm a little greedy. I think that
you know, those rookies right there can there playing earlier,
but I you know, maybe they didn't know the plays
and stuff like that. I think they're gonna be fantastic
for us. Man. Honestly, I wish, you know, I wish
we could run a couple, run the tight ends out there,
Stova and the other tight end, and run three fourth
and receivers out there too, man, Because I think that

(45:57):
if they ever really get there offress moving like it's
supposed to be moving, they could have a great office man,
kind of like the Greatest Show on Turfen and decharge
and listen, by the way, man, somebody talks to Dan Campbell. Man,
I love him to get but just going for five
times in a row at four down, man, he caused

(46:18):
his team that game the other night, like he's done
in the past. You know, remember this first season when
he played the forty niners in the conference final game.
He had that game won, he kept going for it,
kept going for it instead of kicking deal.

Speaker 2 (46:31):
Go Yeah, but I'll.

Speaker 5 (46:32):
Push back a little bit and just tell you the
reason why they were in the conference game is because
of they went for it so much on fourth down.
So you can't change your identity when it doesn't work,
when it's the reason why you're here to begin with.

Speaker 9 (46:43):
Well, that's true, man, but look at here. You know
there's a such thing as you know, going for a
little bit too much five times the other night was
totally ridiculous. And then that conference game. Okay, I gave
him a break on that one because he came back
and he apologized. He said it was his fault. He
should have kicked goals instead of going for it all
the time, which make COmON sense. If you're right, daddy,

(47:04):
kick a field goal. Sure you can go for it
once or twice, but sometimes you don't five times in
a row. Now you're beating your head up against the
wall and looking for some different results. Man, And he
just didn't. He didn't learn, man, And I love him
the dead. But after he lost that conference game and
apologized me, helf, he's still didn't learned. Now he took
the offensive sheet away from the other guy, and that's okay,

(47:28):
But man, somebody put a rope. Man, don't don't go
for it four times in a row and then one
time when he went for at his own party five
yard nine. Man, you know that's getting a little ridiculous.
Come on, man, all.

Speaker 5 (47:40):
Right, I appreciate you, John Hey, hopefully you have a
good rest of your Saturday. Listen the whole But do
I get the tight ends were involved. That's part of
the reason why you bring in a Nick Cayley is
because of his valuation of the position. He worked with
Rob Gronkowski, He worked with the other guy that we're
not going to name on air, he worked with multiple
dudes out in Los Angeles. He's a good tight end coordinator,
and I figured that you need to get them having

(48:00):
a bigger role. Here's the problem. They didn't have anybody
else besides Dalton Schultz. Now the question is, can we
see a little bit more from Kate Stover because if
he is a player that you really do think could
have a big time opportunity over the next few weeks. Seven, kJ,
what's up?

Speaker 11 (48:16):
Dude?

Speaker 14 (48:17):
What's up?

Speaker 15 (48:18):
Man?

Speaker 2 (48:20):
I am great.

Speaker 5 (48:21):
I am locked on in on college football and on
the Texans and the Rockets.

Speaker 2 (48:25):
So what's on your mind? Dude?

Speaker 16 (48:32):
Comment kJ?

Speaker 2 (48:33):
Can'tja hang on? Hang on?

Speaker 5 (48:34):
I'm let's try hang on. Let's try to reconnect you
because your service is really done. Hang on one second. Alright,
let's try this again, can Jack?

Speaker 2 (48:41):
Can you hear me?

Speaker 5 (48:41):
Now, let's see if we can try Yes, I can
hear you. Let's try this one more time. If not,
I'm gonna have you call back in. We're gonna try
one more time.

Speaker 15 (48:49):
Go ahead, Okay, First, the foremost, we gotta stop with
the fluff. Commentary posted a comment from Davis Mills. Davis
he was supposed to say he's not going to say that, yeah,
he thinks he wants to be the starter. That's just
being a team player. So that whole snippet that you
played with what David Mills says is completely irrelevant. First

(49:11):
and foremost, I'm not Number one, I'm not advocating that
David Mills be the starter. I think he sees they
started easily better quarterback, obviously, and I prefer the sees
they start continues to start, simply because they need to
find out before they make a sixty million dollar investment
in what they have under the hood. So this is
no way me advocating for David Mills. But we can't

(49:33):
be dismissive of the fact that coming into this season
and over the course of this season, the team's biggest
issue was our offensive line.

Speaker 2 (49:41):
Yeah, and for whatever reason.

Speaker 15 (49:43):
For whatever reason, however you want to couch it, Davis
Mills has been able to do the best with that line,
taking the number. One of the opportunities that that Lion
Jimson Winnie Gimson to instead of doctor Vack Sinyard getting
the set, he actually stepped into the pocket on occasion
he takes advantage of them. He he coincides and what
the line gives them over the course of a game.

(50:05):
Mills is minimal and what he can do talent advise.
He's not CJ stub but from what they're doing right
now as far as the dysfunction of the offensive line,
Davis Mills is consistently working with what the line gives.

Speaker 9 (50:17):
Him over the course of a game.

Speaker 15 (50:19):
Okay, I'm not having any sails. Game wasn't a coincidence.
And until CJ. Stout understands, you're not gonna have a
perfect pocket every place you have to step into the pockets.
You have to do what the line allows you to
do on any given play, and right now, Davis Mills
is doing that better to CJ. He's not a better
quarterback than J, but he's definitely taking advantage of the

(50:39):
opportunity to line gives them much better to CJ. And
right now the question should be asked, touldn't be the start?

Speaker 5 (50:44):
Okay, j't k I'm gonna I'm gonna put your hold.
Don't hang out yet, just hang out yet. I think
there are some truths that are always being told. On
what you just said, I completely agree with you on
a lot of things that you brought up. I also
think that there are two truths to every conversation. The
first one is CJ. Stroud has not been playing as
up to par behind the offensive line, and there's more

(51:07):
that you need to see from him before you offer
a lucrative contract. I completely understand that, and there is
a lot of pressure being put on him when you
come back after missing the last three games knowing that
your quarterback that has filled in is a perfect three
and zero.

Speaker 2 (51:23):
I completely agree with that.

Speaker 5 (51:25):
He hasn't been able to find as amount of success
behind that offensive line as Davis Mills had. The other truth,
the other part kJ people who are listening and want
to chime on in seven one three, two, one two ninety,
I would love to hear from you, guys, I really would.

Speaker 2 (51:39):
This is your show. It's not my show.

Speaker 5 (51:41):
I am just the therapist that is allowing you to
vent your frustrations or positivities here.

Speaker 2 (51:46):
That's what I'm here for.

Speaker 5 (51:47):
The other truth is that the offensive line was starting
to figure some stuff out right when Stj got hurt,
and so now the offensive line is playing better because
if it is better than what it those first nine
weeks of the season, it's now playing with more of
an identity and Trent Brown, who I apologize to. I
did not think that you were gonna be a good

(52:08):
fit at right tackle. You've shut me up the last
two weeks. You've had to go to games back to
back weekends. You're locked in at right tackle. Titus Howard
probably the most flexible, versatile offensive lineman for the Texans
in my opinion, maybe the most versatile lineman in the
AFC right now.

Speaker 2 (52:23):
Filling in at left guard.

Speaker 5 (52:25):
That can solve so many issues with him at ingram
Arianta Ersrie, and then you have Trent Brown plus whoever
the hell you want to play at center. It doesn't
really matter between Jake ca Andris and Jerry Patterson. Basically,
it's like that photo of Pam showing a trash can
and then showing a locker and saying it's the same picture.

Speaker 2 (52:41):
Like it's literally that way.

Speaker 5 (52:43):
That five starting offensive line may be the best that
the Texans have, and it's playing the best right now.
So c J. Stroud could actually be coming into a
situation where he is locked in in a healthy meat
demeanor and that's a positive for him.

Speaker 2 (52:57):
So I say all this, I say all this to
go right now.

Speaker 9 (53:02):
CJ.

Speaker 5 (53:02):
Stroud is gonna start, and he's probably gonna start the
next two games against Kansas City and Indianapolis, and I
would go as far to say he'll probably start against Arizona.
If things start to go south afterwards, then we can
have that conversation. But the offensive line is hitting its
stride right now at the opportune moment. It would be
malpractice not to give seven an opportunity to play behind it,

(53:25):
because if he does offer more value, he is a
better quarterback, he is better when it comes to the
passes downfield, and either there is a higher ceiling with
how elite this defense is to where you gotta play him.
The thing that I look at right now more than
anything else is that with the Texans, with Houston, everyone

(53:46):
always says you gotta build around your quarterback while you
still can. Guys, you gotta give this defense an opportunity
to make the playoffs for as long as you possibly can.

Speaker 2 (53:56):
That's just it, bottom line, no questions asked.

Speaker 5 (54:00):
So if the Texans know that the highest level that
they have offensively is for seven versus ten because of
how elite this defense is, guys, it's on pace to
be better than the Legion of Boom it's on pace
to be better than the nineteen eighty five Bears. If
CJ gives you a better opportunity, that's your starter. No questions,
asked seven ninety Bodie Joe, what's going on?

Speaker 13 (54:23):
Hey, hey, Cole, how you do it?

Speaker 2 (54:25):
I am fantastic.

Speaker 13 (54:26):
I know yell are up against the break in a
few seconds, but real quick, I wanted to congratulate you
on being on the show with I guess Dan and
Cole or yeah whatever the morning so the drive in
the drive show, and so congratulations on that. And I
want to say I'm not a Texans fan. I'm one
of those hated Cowboys fans, but I appreciate. I appreciate

(54:50):
good football, you know, watching good you know, watching good players.
And I have to say, I'll watched the game the
other night and my husband was actually at the game.
His friend who has season tickets invited. He said it
was just crazy in there. Best game he's ever been
to as far as the crowd. But I wanted to
say Will Anderson, that guy is just a beast. Yep,

(55:13):
I mean a total beast. I just loved watching him play.
I love watching good players. I don't care if I
like the team or not, it's always fun to watch
a good game, and I just thought that was even
though I mean, I know the score seemed close, but
I tell you that defense for the Texans looked awesome.
And my husband said it was so loud in there.

(55:35):
We had season tickets back when we were oil you know,
when the Oilers were here. He said, I've never heard
it that loud in the dough at a game you
know that we've been to in person. So anyway, I
just wanted to say congratulations, Cole. Look forward to it,
Listen to listen to seven ninety all day long, call
into shows every now and then. But really, really I'm happy.

Speaker 5 (55:57):
For you, Appreciate you, Bonnie Joe, appreciate you, and thank God,
are not gonna trade away an elite player like Will
Anderson to the Cowboys like the New York Chats. We're
not that stupid of a franchise, are we, Like, there's.

Speaker 2 (56:07):
No way where that's stupid. There's no way where that stupid,
is it? Please? Oh, for God, tell me that we're
not gonna do something like that. But any of the ways.

Speaker 5 (56:15):
For those of you that didn't hear, yes, it is true.
I still want to be doing Space City Saturdays. That's
not changed and anytime soon. I was gonna get to
this at the end of the show. I guess I'll
do it real fast right now. I'm not changing Space
City Saturdays. I'm gonna be here. I'm gonna be locked in.
I want to give you guys two hours every Saturday
to call on in venture frustrations, talk about the Texans,
the Rockets, the Cougars, and any other sport that's out there.

(56:39):
But I also am not gonna give you four hours
six to ten Monday through Friday with Dan Matthews. The
Morning Drive with Dan Matthew, Dan and Cole starts this Monday,
right before the holiday season. So set your alarms, be
locked in. I'm gonna bring the energy. I'm gonna bring
the fire. If you enjoyed these type of conversations, when
I get to hear it for four hours on the

(57:01):
regular seven one three, two, one two five seven ninety,
take quick time out. I want to talk about something
that was brought up by both kJ and Bonnie.

Speaker 4 (57:10):
Joe, C J.

Speaker 5 (57:12):
Strouder, Will Anderson, CJ. Shrowder, Will Anderson. Naturally, history says
you pay the quarterback first.

Speaker 2 (57:19):
I'm gonna push back.

Speaker 5 (57:20):
You'll explain why when we return right here on sports
Stock seven ninety.

Speaker 2 (57:26):
Keeps on myself.

Speaker 5 (57:29):
Space Day Saturday, rolling right along here on Sportstock seven
ninety rackets, Hey Lewis, Texans, they win Cougars. Can you
make it two and one for the city Saturday against TCU.
Please just go ahead and beat up on that team
from Dallas or Fort Worth. I get it, They're two
different cities. I know, don't really care. Seven one three

(57:51):
two one two five seven nine. If you want chime
on in.

Speaker 2 (57:53):
Let's talk a little bit. Texans. Keep your hands to yourself.
Portugal Demand, I think is the name of the band.

Speaker 5 (58:00):
Frankie Am I right, That's right, okay, keep my hands
to myself. That is not what Will Anderson could do
to Josh Allen phrasing, phrasing, phrasing, phrasing. Three sacks, five
tackles for loss, another dominant performance in the dude that
I would say is in the driver's seat to win
Defensive Player of the Year, very much so. And so
the question comes on up as the Texans prepare for

(58:23):
this offseason where there are going to be multiple moves
that are required to be made.

Speaker 2 (58:29):
Who do you pay first? C. J. Strouder Will Anderson.

Speaker 5 (58:32):
Now, history not this city, but history would tell you
you pay for the quarterback first. You should pay for
the quarterback first, because I can already promise you, ladies
and gentlemen, it is beyond challenging enough to find yourself
in a position where you can land a franchise signal caller.
When you get the dude, you don't let him go
unless there is a reason why you think that you

(58:55):
are absolutely required to move off of him, like something illegal,
like what happened here a few years ago, or but again,
he just is a terrible individual and nobody wants to
deal with him anyway, So regardless of that, you don't
move off of him because it's almost impossible to replace.
And then you become the Cleveland Browns because a Baker
Mayfield should still be starting there and they would be
in a great world of pleasure, but instead they decide

(59:15):
to go ahead and throw their entire franchise away for
like the fifty one thousand time. Okay, I'm done ramping
on the Cleveland Browns. History, though, also says that you
need a premier pass rusher. I want you to look
at Will Anderson's numbers since entering the NFL in twenty
twenty three. Every year his sack total has gone up.
Set a rookie record for the franchise was seven point

(59:38):
five in twenty twenty three. That was good enough to
win him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Speaker 2 (59:45):
Now let's go to last season.

Speaker 5 (59:47):
You're get impaired alongside with an elite player in Daniel Hunter.
Daniel leeds team in sacks he does, but will still
gets eleven. He also finishes with like twenty six tap
for loss Like he does a really good job at
that standpoint to be able to deliver more consistency. So
again you're seeing more growth and maturity. He is better

(01:00:08):
winning with his hand of the dirt as a pass rusher. Guys,
we are eleven games into this season. He is half
a sack away from tying his career total from a
season ago. He also has almost already surpassed his tackle
for loss total, and we still have five more games
left on the schedule.

Speaker 2 (01:00:28):
So what exactly does this mean?

Speaker 5 (01:00:31):
Willy Anderson's getting better, Will Anderson's getting more refined. Willia
Anderson has slowly transformed himself from being a rising star
into a consensus top fifteen pass rusher and a good
complimentary piece to Danil Hunter to overthrowing the Master and
now being the face of the organization. I talked to
some people around the NFL that I'm really good friends with,

(01:00:52):
and most have said, hey, every team has a face
the franchise.

Speaker 2 (01:00:56):
Every team does. Most people right.

Speaker 5 (01:00:58):
Now are telling me Willy Anderson is who they think
of when they think of the Houston Texans. Him and
Demika Ryans that defense. It's almost at the same level
as what we say about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like when
you think of Pittsburgh, most of you would probably say, well,
Aaron Rodgers plays for Pittsburgh, but DK metcalf is a
member of the Steelers. You say, the face of the
franchise is TJ Watt. That's where we are with the

(01:01:20):
Houston Texans once again, as it was with JJ. Now
look at CJ Stroud's numbers. CJ record setting year set
the NFL a fire. Everybody got to see what was,
in my opinion, one of the greatest seasons and great
performances throughout the entire year. He wins Ricky of the
Year last season. Okay, the interception total goes up, it

(01:01:40):
does five to twelve. Touchdown ratio goes down twenty three
to twenty. Complete a percentage also dropped. Passer rating also dropped.
Yards per pass attempt also dropped. Now let's go into
year three. Now, remind yourself, he's only played in eight
games by bad Yeah, eight games. Miss three can place

(01:02:04):
percentage roughly about the same as it was, touchdown a
interception ratio roughly about the same as it was last season.
Passer rating still slightly ahead QBR slightly ahead. Yards were
pass tempt slightly around the same. Yards per game has
gone up. As much as I think that CJ. Stroud

(01:02:27):
is an irreplaceable player for this franchise right now, I
feel more confident saying that you could find another quarterback
to come on in and win the starting job if
need be. Before you would find another elite pass rusher
that's going to be here long term than Will Anderson.
That's where I'm at. And that doesn't mean that I
don't think that Will Anderson Junior could easily get more
money on the open market and he could turn down Houston.

(01:02:49):
That doesn't mean that I don't think that CJ. Stroud
could absolutely put together an impressive run to close out
twenty twenty five and take the team back to the
playoffs with a ten and seven or better yet eleven
and six record, and do a lot of things that
also probably help this team get right back in the
conversation of where they were from a year ago.

Speaker 2 (01:03:07):
I think that's fine, I really do.

Speaker 5 (01:03:11):
But I think that right now, knowing what I've seen
so far, Name me five pass rushers better than Will
Anderson Junior?

Speaker 2 (01:03:21):
Can you do it?

Speaker 5 (01:03:22):
I can name two. I can easily name two, just
right up the top of my head. I would take
Aiden Hutchinson and Miles Garrett over Will Anderson Junior. Those
would be the two I would take. Can you name
me a third?

Speaker 11 (01:03:34):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (01:03:34):
If there was my bad, I can't name me three. TJ. Watt,
Can you name me a fourth? Maybe I would take
to Neil Hunter.

Speaker 5 (01:03:42):
He's already on the team, and eventually he is gonna
be a little bit too expensive to where you can't
pay for both and you want to go with the
youthful option. One is thirty one, the other one is
twenty five, I mean twenty four, so a lot younger
gives you a little bit more of a libditty. Can
you name me seven quarterbacks better than CJ.

Speaker 4 (01:03:59):
Stroud?

Speaker 2 (01:03:59):
I can just out the top of.

Speaker 5 (01:04:01):
My head, Josh Allen, Trevor Low, I mean Josh Allen, Patrick, Mahomes,
Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow. Those are easy. Matthew Stafford, I
would probably say Baker Mayfield. I think you could throw
Jared Goff into that conversation. I think you could throw
Drake may into that conversation. I think that there are
times I would easily lean in favor of Dak Prescott.

(01:04:24):
I gave at least seven or eight quarterbacks Jalen Hurts
are thrown that conversation. There are names that I look
at for the Texans and say, you bring them on
in really good fit. If I had to make a
decision right now, I can only afford to keep one
on the roster long term, it would be Will Anderson Jr.
Now even a second guess about it, and in my
humble opinion, if I am Nick Cassario, I'm giving you

(01:04:46):
a piece of advice.

Speaker 2 (01:04:47):
Nick, you can take it if you want. You probably won't.

Speaker 5 (01:04:51):
You get both deals done this offseason before CJ is
drastically costing you an arm and a leg and you
can't afford to bring in anybody else. You make sure
that Will Anderson Junior is signed before you signed CJ.
Stroud because the more that you see the pass rushing
market continue to rise, because that's the way the industry works. Guys,
whether you believe it or not, Dak Prescott was not

(01:05:11):
one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL because
if he was better than what we saw from Stafford,
or better what we saw from Prime Rogers, or better
from what we saw than Tom Brady, it was because
that's what the market dictated. Buyer remorse comes back because
of other teams make these lucrative deals and you wait
to hold out hope.

Speaker 2 (01:05:31):
The more the pass.

Speaker 5 (01:05:32):
Rushing market ends up continuing to grow, it's going to
cost you too much and Will Anderson Junior is gonna
be out bit seven one three two one two five
seven ninety Chahan, what'side your mind?

Speaker 3 (01:05:41):
Did?

Speaker 4 (01:05:42):
How are you good?

Speaker 2 (01:05:43):
What's up?

Speaker 3 (01:05:43):
Man?

Speaker 4 (01:05:45):
Oh? Not too much?

Speaker 14 (01:05:46):
Just like the last lady you talked to. I've lived
in here Ston all my life, but I'm also a
Dallas cowboy. Regarding the quarterback, maybe you know the should
take a page out of the book of the greatest
coach ever, which by the way, it is not Bill
Belichick's probably who taught him, which is Bill Parcells. If

(01:06:10):
you remember the year the Giants won the Super Bowl,
Phil Simms got hurt injured. They wrote Jeff Hosta all
the way to the super Bowl, and Phil was healthy,
but as Bill said, we are going to go with
the guy that brought us here. So Jeff Hosta finished
the season and won the Super Bowl, and Phil got

(01:06:30):
his job back the following year. So my suggestion would
be they go into Indianapolis and start Davis Mills. You
can always change in the middle of that game if
anything changes, but if Davis goes in there and beats
the Colts, it should be his job the balance of
the season because the team is performing best under him

(01:06:54):
at the moment.

Speaker 17 (01:06:54):
And not under CJ.

Speaker 9 (01:06:56):
Strout.

Speaker 14 (01:06:56):
Because if CJ goes into Indianapolis's and loses that game,
for sure, you will then have a quarterback controversy on
your hands.

Speaker 5 (01:07:04):
Okay, but not to cut you off, man, I don't
mean to cut you off at all, but, like, let
me ask you out of curiosity, is is Davis Mills
leading the Texans toward a three and oh, start, Or
is the defense doing more and then some to be
able to give Davis Mills a long leash to make
mental mistakes, not put up a lot of points and

(01:07:26):
be able to capitalize and put his team in a
position to where all we gotta do is get eighteen
and we're gonna win the football game.

Speaker 2 (01:07:32):
Which one is?

Speaker 4 (01:07:32):
Okay?

Speaker 14 (01:07:33):
Do you do you remember the Super Bowl that the
Baltimore Ratmans won?

Speaker 2 (01:07:39):
Right with the game manager?

Speaker 3 (01:07:40):
Right?

Speaker 5 (01:07:40):
But hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on? I
asked your question, which one is? Is it the defense
doing more than enough? Or is it Davis Mills lee
in the charge?

Speaker 14 (01:07:53):
H Davis Mills doing enough with the absolutely outstanding defense, right,
Just want to just want to make sure something right
now at the moment c J. Stroud doesn't seem to
be capable of doing.

Speaker 2 (01:08:05):
Is like the guy is lost.

Speaker 14 (01:08:07):
You know, he he almost looks like, uh, you know,
he's not he's not even.

Speaker 5 (01:08:14):
Himself, you know, are are we sure that he's not
a shell of himself or that we're waiting to see
what this hit he looks like behind this offens point, Maybe.

Speaker 14 (01:08:23):
Maybe we have this conversation if they start him and
he loses to the Indianapolis.

Speaker 5 (01:08:28):
And you know what, totally fine. I completely agree with
you on that when sheikin, I really do. I think
that's a good point.

Speaker 15 (01:08:34):
If CJ.

Speaker 5 (01:08:35):
Stroud comes back and there's a lot of pressure on
him to deliver and he ends up looking lost behind
a much more improved offensive line, a unit that is
starting to figure out we got to get the we
got to fource feet twelve, and we got to be
able to get more wide receivers involved and kind of
trust our passing attack than by all means I'm going
to have this conversation I am. I'm not willing to

(01:08:56):
have a conversation right now about what it could be
until I see it. We live in this hypothetical world
all the time in sports, and I go look at
what the numbers say. The number say that CJ. Stroud
is a much better passer and a much more prolific
deep vertical ball thrower with the ability to connect with
multiple wide receivers than what we're seeing from Davis Mills.

Speaker 2 (01:09:19):
It's not a shot on Davis Mills, now I've a
little bit.

Speaker 18 (01:09:22):
It just is what it is.

Speaker 5 (01:09:23):
One guy gives me an opportunity to score twenty five.
One guy gives me this opportunity to score twenty Guess what.
I want to have as many points as possible, to
capitalize and put myself in a position where I know
for a fact, for a fact, we have a better
shot at winning this football game. Guess who gives me
that shot? C J Stroud over Davis Mills. CJ is

(01:09:43):
more than a game manager. Davis Mills really solid at
what he does. Seven three two five, seven nine. You
want to chime on in take quick time out when
we come back. Let's talk about one person's thoughts on
this Texans defense, because if he brought up a really
good point, does anybody want to face off against you
in the playoffs. We'll discuss that on Space Day Saturday
next right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. This is

(01:10:08):
why we do Sports Talk seven to ninety Space City
Saturday Show because of I know that you people want
to chime on in and talk about the hottest team
in the NFL.

Speaker 2 (01:10:18):
So Danner Lasky, you got the hold.

Speaker 5 (01:10:21):
It is a Space City Saturday right here on Sports
Talk seven ninety, Cole Thomas and Rock with you until
one o'clock seven one three two one two five seven nine.
If you want shimem on in the phone lines. Rockets
they lose, Texans, they win Cougars. Can you give the
city of Houston a two to one record by beating
up on TCU and.

Speaker 2 (01:10:40):
Keeping a sliver but still very much alive?

Speaker 5 (01:10:44):
Big twelve hopes in the conversation seven one, three, two
five seven ninety John, what's on your mind?

Speaker 3 (01:10:50):
Dude?

Speaker 18 (01:10:51):
Hey, So we gotta be thankful that Davis Mills is
on our roster and he's done what he needed to.

Speaker 2 (01:10:58):
Do those last three games.

Speaker 11 (01:10:59):
Right.

Speaker 18 (01:11:00):
To say that he needs to start over Stroud, I
think is kind of absurd. He was a great game
manager the last couple of games. He was given three
short fields and only put up three points in the
second half against the Bills. He only he didn't do
much against Tennessee either, except for that final drive that
got us in the position to win. But if you

(01:11:21):
think about like the missthrows that he had against the Bills,
where we could have easily won that game by double
scores or multiple scores had he had connected on some
of those or even produced more in the second half,
I think we could start to have that conversation. But
the offensive line has been atrocious at least the first

(01:11:43):
half of the year and they were there starting to
put things together and you could see that under Stroud
a little bit, but when he went down, obviously they
were performing under Davis Mills. The Texans need to stop
doing this switching out of the guards and stuff, and
I think they've gotten to that point where they're finding
the five best guys to be out on the field,
and I think that's the only going to benefit to CJ.

Speaker 4 (01:12:04):
Stroud.

Speaker 18 (01:12:05):
The last thing you want to do is put Davis
Mills in there and give up a big turnover or
anything that's going to cost the Texans the game. And
you were just going to be second guessing yourself about
why we didn't we start CJ.

Speaker 3 (01:12:19):
Stroud.

Speaker 18 (01:12:19):
I think you got to go with Stroud from this
point on, if there's no question about it. But it
is obviously really good to know that if he does
go down again, you have somebody like Davis Mills to
step in and take over the helm and hopefully get
some wins for the Texans.

Speaker 5 (01:12:35):
John, Before I let you go, man, I hear that
you are an assistant principle out in Friendswold.

Speaker 18 (01:12:39):
Right, Well, I not in friends with I'm in Allen
I SD but yes.

Speaker 9 (01:12:45):
I do work for the district.

Speaker 5 (01:12:45):
See here's the good news. You're a smart man. So
you need to educate the universe. You need to educate
the kids on understanding smart football because everything that you
just said one of the smartest takes that we have
gotten today. You understand what the Texas is going to do.
Appreciate that phone call, John. I appreciate that I don't
have to teach my knowledge on you about what detection
should be looking forward to going into next week.

Speaker 4 (01:13:06):
You are the man.

Speaker 17 (01:13:08):
Well, I appreciate it.

Speaker 5 (01:13:09):
Appreciate you, John seven ninety. Look, two truths can be
very much in the conversation. At the same time, Texans
get offered a third round pick tomorrow for Davis Mills.

Speaker 2 (01:13:20):
Do you take it?

Speaker 5 (01:13:22):
I personally say right now, no, I don't. I would
hold out wait a little bit longer. See even get
a second round pick, then I would move off of him. Also,
where is the pick coming? Is it in the top
seventy or is it in like the ninety range. No,
I'm not gonna lose that guy because guess what he
offers incredible volume and he is a very stable quarterback
to fill in for twelve quarters.

Speaker 2 (01:13:44):
There's also the other truth of.

Speaker 5 (01:13:45):
After those twelve quarters, I don't want to see in
the rest of the season if possible.

Speaker 2 (01:13:49):
And that's where we are with the Davis Mills stuff.

Speaker 5 (01:13:51):
He's done his part, been a really good quarterback as
that wrote as that game managing type of option.

Speaker 2 (01:13:57):
That's it. Let's continue to see what CJ. Stroud does
that We're in a good place.

Speaker 5 (01:14:03):
Seven ninety poone lines are going off today. God, this
makes me happy. Robbie and bulling, what's up?

Speaker 3 (01:14:09):
Then?

Speaker 4 (01:14:11):
Hey, what's going on?

Speaker 10 (01:14:13):
You know that you and the last call a pretty
much summed up what I was gonna say. But you know,
just like the last guy said, you know, I was
at the game and there were there were plays that
stuck out that Stroud would have made, right uh. I
mean you got Schultz up to see him throughout. CJ
makes that throw that's a touchdown, and then the one
down the sideline, it was right in front of me.

(01:14:35):
I don't remember who he's throwing to. I think maybe
Higgins Higgs hit the back of the hit the back
of the corner, like hit him in his back, and
I just think I think makes those throws. Now the one,
the one where the corner fell down.

Speaker 13 (01:14:49):
I don't I don't know.

Speaker 10 (01:14:50):
I don't know if that was on him so much
as I think I think he threw to the spot
where he was supposed to end up and the corner
fell down and he broke off the play. But I
just think, I just think that game, that game Thursday
night is a two or three score win win for us,
with with with our with our guy.

Speaker 4 (01:15:08):
Just look look at it.

Speaker 10 (01:15:09):
Look at the San Francisco game. You you give CJ time.
He carves people up, carves them up, and he hasn't
had that. He hasn't had that since.

Speaker 4 (01:15:18):
His rookie year.

Speaker 10 (01:15:20):
If if these guys protects.

Speaker 15 (01:15:21):
CJ, he's the lead.

Speaker 10 (01:15:23):
And I think I think anyone that has seen and
I was a meals apologist, man. You know, whenever we
were going through we had the top pick or we
had the second pick that year, I was thinking, you know,
we we could, we could bridge the gap and wait
till the next year. I thought the better quarterbacks were
the next year. But man, no, those those are two
different birds right there. Man, he's a he's a top

(01:15:45):
tier back up, could be a bridge guy to go
from from one court to go from him to the
franchise quarterback like we did here.

Speaker 9 (01:15:54):
But he ain't.

Speaker 15 (01:15:55):
He ain't CJ.

Speaker 10 (01:15:56):
So anyway, that's all I got.

Speaker 5 (01:15:57):
I appreciate you, Gary, I mean, Robbie, I really do.
Let's there can be again two truths in every story here.
You love that you have Davis Mills on your team
because it gives you a quarterback that you can trust
for twelve quarters. You also have a better opportunity to
win on the regular when you get CJ. Stroud out there.
Seven one, three, two, five, seven ninety. Phone lines continue

(01:16:17):
to roll on in Brent, Let's go.

Speaker 2 (01:16:19):
What's up man, hey man?

Speaker 17 (01:16:22):
Good to see the Texan's playing good. Uh, good to
see them getting their flowers on national television. Uh, work
their defensive performance. I hate to see you trashing the
Rockets every time you come back on the show from commercial.
Uh what about rockets? But I know that a loss,
but you don't got to say it every time.

Speaker 5 (01:16:41):
I gotta let anybody know what happened in the city
of Houston last night. It's not my fault that they
can already done.

Speaker 17 (01:16:48):
I appreciate you being factual cool as always. So I
was thinking about something that was said last week, and uh,
I got an idea about what we can do with
that that astronm I know it's a gearshift, it's an
eye sore. So what are the other MLB teams doing

(01:17:08):
whenever they changed their stadium? I know that in Saint
Louis had a remarkable uh change, what in six seven
a six or seven or five oh six when they
tore down Bush Stadium and built a new one right
on top of it. I don't know if it's feasible
to do that. Seems like when you want to tear down,
uh minimate not minimate a Diken Park and you know

(01:17:31):
it's up in its age, it's showing at age. They're
gonna need some place to play. And I'm not saying
they're going to play in the astronome, but they could
play in that space. So the money would be there, right,
So they're gonna have to come. Uh I don't know
who's going to be the owner at that time. They're
gonna have to come to the city for some kind
of a bailout on their team buying a new stadium.

(01:17:56):
It's got to be done at that lot, right, So
at that time, it seems like the most affordable time
to tear it down. That's been the problem, right, is
that it's too iconic to tear down, too expensive to
tear down. Well, if they want to build a new one,
they're gonna have to tear it down. That seems like
one that's gonna happen and rebuild all. In fact, the

(01:18:18):
downside of this is that you lose all the downtown activities,
right because midtown is not all these restaurants and things
that are really not going to be happy with losing it.
But it seems like the most logical place to do it.
I don't know what you think.

Speaker 5 (01:18:32):
About it, Listen, I appreciate you, Bran, I really do.
I'm gonna stand my ground on this one, and then
I gotta go quick quickly. I want a hockey team
here so bad. And if Tilman Fertita is not going
to build a hockey team in Toyota Center, somebody else
buy the rights, buy the team, and find a way

(01:18:52):
to tear down the astronome, build something around there for
the Texans, and then turn n RG Arena into a
That's what I want to see happen.

Speaker 15 (01:19:02):
Now.

Speaker 2 (01:19:02):
If this is gonna be the case for the ass shows,
so be it. I'll take it.

Speaker 5 (01:19:06):
I won't complain seven one three, two one two five
seven ninety Gary, Jason, do not go anywhere.

Speaker 2 (01:19:11):
I will come back.

Speaker 5 (01:19:12):
We will close out Space City Saturday with you right
here on Sports Talk seven ninety and if we have time,
I'm gonna play a clip from dani Orlowski. He believes
the Texans are the team to be currently in the playoffs.
Nobody wants to see them, and I'll to blame them.
We'll close up the show after this. Maybe one day

(01:19:33):
we will petition to make this a three hour show
versus a two hour show, because there's so many other
things that we didn't get to get to today and
I want to. But this is your show, ladies and Joe,
and this is your show, h Town. Somebody call on
in we go ahead and jump to you. And that
is of course here on Space City Saturday with Cole Thompson.
Welcome to you for a few more minutes. Seven one three,
two one two five seven to ninety Rockets. They lose

(01:19:56):
to the Nuggets, Texans, they beat the Bills the Cougars.
Can you end up making a two to one stretch
for the city over TCU seven ninety Gary what's up, dude.

Speaker 11 (01:20:10):
Hey, don't forget the u of H basketball team. They
were only one point away from a national championship last year.

Speaker 9 (01:20:18):
And that's two championships.

Speaker 11 (01:20:20):
They were, uh, you know, one point away from winning
in forty years.

Speaker 15 (01:20:26):
True.

Speaker 11 (01:20:27):
You know Calvin, Calvin Simpsons has has worked miracle. Well,
not Calvin, even Guy Lewis, but I mean the coaches
have a Calvin done, both of them done great.

Speaker 5 (01:20:38):
I totally understand Gary, but right now you do realize
that the Cougars on the football field have an opportunity
to go ten.

Speaker 11 (01:20:43):
And two this year.

Speaker 5 (01:20:44):
Yeah.

Speaker 11 (01:20:45):
Uh, well, Tilman's gonna have to build both new stadiums
because that's the problem with the u of H. It's
gonna it's a it's a commuter school. Nobody supports them,
but you know they're gonna have to be to you know,
because we're getting good enough recruits to battle with A
and M in Texas and nobody supports them. So just

(01:21:07):
letting you. And also the basketball stadium, because it's all fines,
only hold seven thousand fans, which I think is an
embarrassment because you know.

Speaker 5 (01:21:16):
Gary, Yeah, I mean, come on, get Gary, Gary. Not
there's an embarrassment in the city. It's just there needs
to be more attraction. And guess what, when you get tracked,
when you get traction, you get Gary. When you get traction, though,
you get results of traction.

Speaker 2 (01:21:29):
Right, So guess what.

Speaker 5 (01:21:30):
There's probably something in the works that we don't know
about at this point. And again, new athletic director Eddie
nuon Yez probably wants to set the tone because get
Keith this in mind, Gary, the Big Twelve is wide
open right now in every single sport now in Texas
and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC, taking their money and
running to the other conference. So Houston very well could
set the standard of being one of the premier destinations

(01:21:51):
in football and in basketball. And if that happens, there's
more money that's disputed. There's more revenue that's coming on
in That revenue could be used on the Fertida Center.
That revenue, it could be used at tv ECU Stadium,
all things that end up making this city have one
of the more prominent programs both on the hardwood and
in the gridiron, with state of the art atmospheres whenever
you take step foot in either arena.

Speaker 11 (01:22:14):
Oh yeah, I agree with you, buddy, both teams have
had the number one recruit and the whole country. Uh,
for football the quarterbacks and for basketball the center. You know,
the number one recruits. Take that A and M.

Speaker 5 (01:22:27):
And Texas absolutely appreciate Gary for the phone call seven two,
seven ninety. We done a lot of times. So I
don't want to go ahead and go on a rant.
Let's go Jason and conro what's up?

Speaker 16 (01:22:36):
Then I'm gonna make this week because I want to
hear the dan Or last dan Or Laski con the
comment teammates. Look, he's absolutely right this defense. I don't
think anybody wants to play him.

Speaker 9 (01:22:49):
I don't.

Speaker 16 (01:22:50):
But at the same time, I turn on the TV
every day and I have to hear about the criticism
of Davis Nils or nil not being able to stand
this play or to make this throw or whatever.

Speaker 17 (01:23:05):
Look, it doesn't matter.

Speaker 16 (01:23:06):
The man did his job. He went three and oh
he didn't. He led the Texans that were down like
twenty nine to team and they end up winning the
game like thirty whatever it was. And we got to
sit here and listen to people actually criticize the man
because he couldn't make the damn throw.

Speaker 5 (01:23:25):
Get over it.

Speaker 16 (01:23:25):
The man did his job.

Speaker 2 (01:23:27):
Deman didn't do it. Here, Jason, the man did his job.
You're one hundred percent ride. But let me ask you.

Speaker 5 (01:23:32):
You are Mika Ryan today. You have a healthy CJ. Stroud,
You have a healthy Davis Mills. Who are you picking
to lead your team on the first team offense when
you take on the Indianapolis Colts.

Speaker 16 (01:23:42):
Well that's that's a no. That's that's not even a debate.

Speaker 2 (01:23:47):
So who you take him?

Speaker 17 (01:23:48):
Saying?

Speaker 9 (01:23:48):
But I'm taking CJ.

Speaker 13 (01:23:50):
Stroud?

Speaker 2 (01:23:51):
So that's the point, you know, that's the point. Jason Jason, Jason, Jason.

Speaker 5 (01:23:54):
The point is, and I completely understand when you're coming
don't don't don't don't flack the guy for going three
and oh, but there are legit people out here who
are saying CJ. Stroud couldn't beat the Bills. So because
if he couldn't beat the Bills, you got to go
start Davis Mills now. And that's where we're having the
conversation of guys, Guys, he'd a great he fit in
exactly the role that you want him to play. The

(01:24:14):
problem is is that there's people out there that want
to go ahead and name.

Speaker 17 (01:24:17):
Him QB one No, he's not QB one.

Speaker 16 (01:24:20):
But what I'm saying is CJ. Stroud has been struggling
all year long, and I honestly don't think he'd been
able to beat the Bills. I honestly don't think he'd
been able to lead to come back against the Jags.
That's the problem we have. The OC does not know
what to do with this kid. And that's what makes
me mad is Detection said, do something right. You're wasting
this kid's prime. He's gonna go somewhere else and do

(01:24:42):
better if you don't do better by him.

Speaker 5 (01:24:43):
I appreciate you, Chase. I know you want to hear
the audio, so I'll reward you with that before we
get on out of here. You're right, listen, there needs
to be some changes with CJ. Stroud in this offensive approach,
because if Davis Mills is starting to figure it out,
you should be able to figure it out too. Seven
point three two one two five seven ninety. Dan Orlowski
is high on the Houston Texans. He is draft level

(01:25:04):
high on how good this team can be, and he
said so on ESPN's first take when talking about anybody
facing off against this team in the playoffs.

Speaker 19 (01:25:12):
They're the one team that nobody in the AFC wants
in the playoffs. This is the best defense in football.
The teams that they've lost to, they've lost to by five, seven, eight, one,
and three. Those are their five losses. Every team they've
lost to is a playoff team. I'd say this right now.
As far as yards per game, this is the best
defense we've seen in the NFL in close to like
fifteen years.

Speaker 2 (01:25:31):
Two thousand and nine, the Jets with Rex.

Speaker 19 (01:25:33):
Ryan, that was the last time we saw a defense
at least yards per game. Give up what this defense
gives up. They got a Defensive Player of the Year
candidate and Will Anderson. They got a pass rust specialist
in Daniel Hunter. They got a linebacker group that is
as downhill as anyone. They got a secondary that hunts,
they can cover, and they take the ball away. This
is an offense right now that is starting to find itself.
This is the defense that you don't want to see

(01:25:55):
in the playoffs. And I would say this, and I
love him. Put a lot of pressure on CJ. Stroud
now because one CJ. Stroud went out they started to
win some games. He's now gonna come back and they're
no longer on the outside looking in from the playoff perspective.
They're right on that line, and it's an expectation now
to get in.

Speaker 5 (01:26:11):
It is I'm sorry with this defense. I will scream
this in the mountaintops. I have not been high on
the Texans at all this year, and I apologize to
the city of Houston for not believing in the team
that we call home. I will say that right here,
because this defense is the best in the NFL, and
it has an opportunity to reach records that have never
been matched since twenty thirteen. It's at nineteen eighty five

(01:26:34):
Bears level. So see just Stroud's gonna face a lot
of pressure when he comes back on in the good news,
the great news, the better news. Wide receivers are hitting
their stride at the right time. You're seeing a lot
more growth when it comes to the offensive line. Pass
protection has been good. You are able to run the
football at least at an efficient level. It's no longer

(01:26:55):
just the CJ. Stroud Show. With that being said, it
will kill me and it will kill this city to
watch an elite defense, one of, if not the best,
we have seen in franchise history be wasted. And going
eight to nine missing the playoffs because the offense can't

(01:27:15):
get its stuff together.

Speaker 2 (01:27:17):
It will kill the city and you will lose the
fan base because of it.

Speaker 5 (01:27:21):
So you are right, dar Alasky is the team that
nobody wants to face off in the AFC playoffs because
if defense can win your championships, you gotta have an
offense though that can have at least a little bit
of a.

Speaker 2 (01:27:33):
Pulse that does it.

Speaker 5 (01:27:34):
Right here sports Stock seven ninety, don't worry. You will
hear from me on Monday with Dan Matthews on the
Morning Drive with Dan and Cole six to ten, and
then you'll hear the Matt Thamas Show and the eight Team,
and then of course we'll be right back here next
Saturday to get you caught up on everything you might
have missed in the world of h Town. Sports Ob
Cole Thompson, enjoy the rest of your Saturday, Stay classy, Houston,

(01:27:57):
have a good afternoon.

Speaker 14 (01:27:58):
Peace,