Texans' C.J. Stroud draws heavy praise from Rams' Matthew Stafford

C.J. Stroud launched a deep ball high into the air, a soaring arc that ultimately reached its intended destination: the hands of Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs

The Texans’ Pro Bowl quarterback set the tone for a joint practice session with the Los Angeles Rams with his strike to Diggs to begin team drills.

He delivered a perfect over-the-shoulder-pass to running back Joe Mixon bolting out of the backfield.

He also connected with Diggs for a touchdown in a red-zone drill and, generally, displayed accuracy, timing and command of the offense.

And Stroud, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season who led the league in passing yards per contest and touchdown-to-interception ratio to join Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to do so during the same season, has the full respect of another great quarterback: Rams veteran Matthew Stafford, who’s one of Stroud’s favorite quarterbacks to watch.

“I’m a huge fan of watching him play,” Stafford said. “Throws the ball with ease, plays with like, a really calm aggression, which I like. His first touchdown to Tank Dell, letter of the law in the preseason this year. That’s buzz coverage right into a dagger window, usually not throwing that ball. But hey, they didn’t play it as well as they could, and he fit it in there for a touchdown. I mean, that’s playing ball in an aggressive way, but smart.”

Stroud passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdown passes and five interceptions last season as he led the Texans to an AFC South division title and one playoff victory.

Stafford’s arm talent and grit have long been pluses for his game, which Stroud, a California native, admires. They spent some time talking at practice and Stroud picked up a few tips.

Both quarterbacks won’t play in the preseason finale Saturday at NRG Stadium, so this represented their last significant work against another team until the regular season begins.

“First what jumped out to me from him was his toughness,” Stroud said. “He is tough as nails. I remember watching him and he broke his shoulder or something weird like that and he finished the drive. His shoulder ended up falling out of place and I respect that because it is not easy.

“Just how he manipulates guys with his eyes, his drops, his arm angles, I have been a fan of Matthew Stafford for a long time. I wasn’t trying to be a fan boy today, but I asked him a lot of questions. I tried to just learn, and he was really honest with me and wasn’t mean, which I appreciate so I am definitely a huge fan of his. Definitely one of my favorite quarterbacks of all time. I feel like sharing a field with him was dope.”

Overall, it was a smooth practice.

There weren’t any fights, which wasn’t surprising given the strong relationship between Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and Rams coach Sean McVay, who praised the Texans’ professionalism.

“A really good day, all three phases,” Ryans said. “We got a lot of work in just we set out to accomplish. Working a lot of situational football and we were able to do that. I thought it was a clean practice on both sides. A lot of competitive juices flowing on both sides, as well. So, it was really good work. Happy that we were able to get that work in today.

“The biggest benefit of this is we get to go against a different team, different schemes all three phases and just see different players. We’ve been – we have our matches where we go one-on-ones, or whatever it may be. But it’s always the same receivers, same corners. So now our guys get the opportunity to get as many reps as possible against a different player and see how they run routes. To see how they come off the ball as a D-line and how we need to protect. So, it was really beneficial in that regard.”

Ryans and McVay competed against each other for years in the NFC West where Ryans was a defensive coordinator and NFL Assistant Coach of the Year with the San Francisco 49ers.

“With myself and McVay, we’ve established a really good relationship from our time going against each other in San Francisco and it’s mutual respect,” Ryans said. “Really respect the program that he runs there and how he has his guys prepared and ready to go play. And he shares the same sentiment with me. He’s always encouraging, always uplifting after we played a game, always found a way to find each other after the game and talk. So, really respect what he’s done in this league. He’s winning, did what we’re all trying to do. He’s won it all and he’s done it really well and been successful for many years as a head coach in this league.”

When Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil was in at left tackle, the Texans moved the ball with ease. But when he came out before the final few series of team drills, along with right tackle Tytus Howard, the Texans’ offensive line struggled. The Rams started generating pressure and sacked quarterback C.J. Stroud multiple times.

Mixon was a standout as a pass-catching presence.

“Joe as a receiving running back is what sets him apart,” Ryans said. “Everyone understands the running game and how physical he is and how he is able to gain yards even when it’s not blocked well, he can still gain yards. He has really good hands out of the backfield and he’s a guy that if it’s not open down the field, we can check the ball down and he is a reliable guy who can get us explosives in the passing game as well.”

And Stroud’s chemistry and timing with Diggs is obviously improved.

“It has improved drastically,’ Stroud said. “I think me and him already had a natural connection on the field and we just built it and built it and built it. I think you have seen it on the field, just rep, after rep, after rep. Just me and him having a conversation just me and him talking about things we like, things we don’t like and just being transparent. It is going to continue to grow and it is going to be a special connection.”

Several players didn’t practice, including cornerback Jeff Okudah (hip), safety M.J. Stewart (quadriceps), linebacker Christian Harris (calf), fullback Andrew Beck (calf), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), offensive tackle Charlie Heck (plantar fasciitis, foot), offensive tackle David Sharpe (leg), tight end Teagan Quitoriano (calf), wide receiver Noah Brown (shoulder), defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. (calf) and defensive end Denico Autry (suspended list).

Anderson is expected to be ready for the Texans’ season opener Sept. 8 against the Indianapolis Colts.

There is concern that Harris may be sidelined for that game because he re-injured the calf at practice and has been unable to practice since then.

It was a solid day for the offense, especially Diggs and Mixon.

Wide receiver Robert Woods caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone in red-zone drills.

Wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson excelled against single-coverage, beating his defender to spots for a series of catches.

Wide receiver John Metchie III, who had a touchdown against the New York Giants, had a deep catch on a Davis Mills throw.

Mills is definitely improved this year and has made a full recovery from bruised ribs.

“Hutchinson and Rob Woods have been making plays all camp and it’s the same today,” Ryans said, “They’ve been consistent and made plays throughout camp and that’s two guys you can count on. Hutch and Woods been making plays, so no surprises that they made plays today for us.”

Texans safety Jalen Pitre has really settled into the nickel spot.

He returned an interception for a touchdown against the Giants and just looks much more comfortable.

“Jalen’s done a great job,” Ryans said. “He’s been one of our most consistent players throughout camp. I’m excited with what Jalen has done — bright future ahead of him just based on what he’s done so far in this camp. He’s had a really great camp, and that should lead to a really great season for him.”

Overall, the Texans’ secondary impressed the Rams’ coaches, including Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre.

“I thought they did a really good job,” McVay said. “I’ve been super impressed with Stingley from when he was coming out and then you watch the production he had last year. I thought Pitre was all over the place. Jimmie Ward is a guy that I’ve always respected because of the athleticism, the position flex and what he enables them to do as a safety: a guy that can drop down and play coverage on receivers or tight ends.

“But Pitre’s a guy you can see he’s really good. I felt them today, and they did a great job. And then, obviously, having two special guys coming off the edge makes a major difference.”

Texans rookie corner Kamari Lassiter showed up and showed out against Rams veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

A former All-Pro selection, Kupp had his moments. He also got locked up by Lassiter, a second-round draft pick from Georgia who has earned a starting job.

Lassiter deflected a Stafford pass that was intercepted by rookie safety Calen Bullock, who worked with the first-team defense and is pushing veteran Eric Murray for the starting job.

Retired Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, attended camp with his son. Watt is not expected to resume his football career. He is working as a CBS analyst and he and his wife own part of a British soccer team.

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.