Thoughts on Stingley, Cooks
It’s been a while since we’ve done a mailbag, and with the Houston Texans coming off an open date and their first dub — a 13-6 win over the Jaguars on Oct. 9 — this week felt like the perfect time.
The Texans (1-3-1) are in a little bit of a weird place heading into their Week 6 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders (1-4). While they certainly aren’t a good team or anything to brag about, they aren’t exactly terrible. They’ve struggled to close out games this season, but there is a young foundation in place that can give a fan base hope.
There weren’t many questions in this mailbag this time around. But that’s OK. I’m still going to answer what I received.
In the meantime, if you ever have any questions that you want to be included in a future mailabg, don’t hesitate to email at Jonathan.alexander@chron.com or tweet me or Brooks Kubena at @jonmalexander or @Bkubena.
Let’s get to your questions:
Nathan or “@Texansera” on Twitter asks: Early impressions of Derek Stingley?
Honestly Nathan, I think Derek Stingley Jr. has been nothing short of impressive. Don’t get me wrong. He’s made mistakes. He ran his first career interception against the Jaguars out of the end zone when he should have downed it.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton got the best of him in Week 2. Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman had his moments against the rookie, too.
But the thing that’s been most impressive is that Stingley, as a rookie, is being asked each week to shadow the opposing team’s best receiver. He’s held his own and has made plays when the Texans have needed it most.
There was a play in Week 2 against the Broncos that stands out to me in particular. It was the first quarter and Stingley had just committed a pass interference, which gave the Broncos the ball at the Houston 2-yard line.
Two plays later, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (bless his heart) targeted Stingley on second-and-2. Stingley was in one-on-one coverage with Sutton, who was running a fade route. It was a 50-50 ball, and Stingley batted the ball away, forcing the incompletion. The Broncos were forced to kick a field goal on that drive.
For Stingley to come back and make that play after making a mistake was impressive. It shows that he doesn’t let things rattle him.
But he’s done that consistently this season.
Opposing quarterbacks are completing only 61.4 percent of their passes against him, according to Pro Football Reference. These quarterbacks have yet to throw a touchdown against him in coverage and have a 76.9 passer rating when targeting the rookie.
There’s definitely room for improvement, but his future is bright.
And the possibility of a Brandin Cooks trade (with) his decline of production, just a couple of months after signing an extension?
Your second question about Cooks is a little tougher to answer.
Would it surprise me if it happened? No. In my three years covering the NFL, I’ve learned to never be surprised by anything.
But do I think it will happen? No.
That extension he signed puts an extremely financial burden on the Texans if they were to trade him. He’s signed through the 2024 season, with $18 million in guaranteed money next year.
First of all, that’s a lot to ask a team to take on. But if the Texans were to trade Cooks, they’d have about $24.3 million in dead money split over the next three seasons, according to overthecap.com. The Texans are already in a bad salarycap situation now and would like to be out of it.
Cooks, who has 24 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown in five games, would be the first to tell you that his play is unacceptable by his own standards. His 57.1 percent catch percentage is not good enough for a No. 1 wide receiver.
But he’s also got to have better thrown passes from quarterback Davis Mills. And offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has a do a better job of getting the ball in his hands, whether that means playing him more in the slot than on the outside or doing other things.
Cooks is too much of a talent to have this start.
I’ve been following you for a little bit as I’ve been a huge Panthers fan since Cam got drafted, not so much anymore. It’s exciting to see you in my hometown of Houston, what would you say are biggest differences, in your point of view, between the organizations? – Corey Driver
I appreciate you following me, Corey. That means a lot.
Yeah, I saw that game last week between the Panthers and the Rams, and the offense was atrocious. I’m sorry you and anyone else had to witness that.
But the biggest differences in the organizations? That’s a good question.
They are both very different in how they are/were run. Like in Carolina, Matt Rhule had a lot of say in the roster. He had it in his contract that he signed when he was hired. Not that Lovie Smith doesn’t provide input because I’m sure he does. But it’s clear Nick Caserio handles the roster, while Smith focuses on the coaching.
That’s how the NFL has worked historically and why things likely didn’t work out in Carolina.
I think both franchises are at different points in their rebuilds, though.
When I left the Carolina Panthers beat, Rhule was in his third season and was on the hot seat. Their rebuild was on its last leg and there wasn’t as much patience being given. The Panthers needed to win. And as a result, you saw Rhule was fired.
There’s a little more patience and latitude being given here. And rightfully so.
The Texans have a new coach in Smith. Though they’ve only won one game in the first five weeks, each of their games has been close. They are starting four rookies, who have all had success. Though it’s technically their second rebuilding year, it feels more like the first.
I think there’s a greater sense of optimism in Houston than there was in Charlotte.