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The shaky history of Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL aside, C.J. Stroud is the “safest” QB pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Stroud is big, strong, mobile enough and has a truly beautiful arm. C.J. put on a show at the Combine in Indy with his accuracy and ball placement on every kind of route. Stroud radiated confidence and composure.

The Texans have the second overall selection. Unless the Bears trade the top pick to a team that covets Stroud and wants to lock him up, he should be available to the Texans in the #2 position.

As a Texans fan, I would in no way be crushed if Houston goes with C.J. There’s just nothing not to like there. Stroud’s mechanics are impressive and his footwork is impeccable. He is, IMO, the most immediately “road ready” quarterback in the draft.

But while I greatly admire Stroud, I hope the Texans “throw deep” and take Florida’s Anthony Richardson. I just can’t go over what I saw from that guy at the Combine. Here’s my thinking. True, Richardson is not ready to be a Day One Starter. But why is that a problem? The Texans are currently a long way from being a playoff contender.

That team and that guy can grow up together.

I keep seeing mock drafts that have Alabama’s Bryce Young going to Houston. I hope not. Don’t let anybody tell you that Young’s slight stature is not a problem. It is. I simply do not believe he will be able to hold up physically.

Kentucky’s Will Levis? He wanted to show off that cannon arm in Indy, and he succeeded.

I was surprised that Stetson Bennett displayed that much long-ball arm strength.

The “second tier” prospect that most impressed me was BYU’s Jaren Hall. Smooth.

While Shepherd’s Tyson Bagent got upstaged by his publicity thirsty, arm wrestling dad, he showed skills that you seldom see in a D-2 QB.

I’m always going to pull for TCU’s Max Duggan. Who doesn’t love Max? But while I would never question his wheels or his heart, I absolutely question his accuracy.

There’s no question that another Lone Star State quarterback—Houston’s Clayton Tune—can flat-out sling it.

One more thing and I’m outta here.

In another era—like ten years ago—Longhorn running back Bijan Robinson might be the first pick in the draft. His skills are that rare and that advanced. But those days are gone.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.