We have to be critical about his performance. He played well, but he still can’t throw accurately to the sidelines and he’s not comfortable running. He also doesn’t seem to be very clutch. He’s had numerous opportunities to show us something in that regard and he just never has. He’s a high end backup qb.
For the most part I agree with you, but after Tunsil got that false start penalty it put the Texans in a down/distance that I believe the announcer said we were 0-28 this year. However, Mills delivered with a TD strike. To me he looked a lot calmer in the pocket, had good presence, and actually made some nice plays with his arm and feet. Mills came through for 3 TDs today, huge improvement over his other games this season. The fumble came from him trying to make a play and a defender making a better play. With our two starting WRs and top RB out, I thought this was one of our best offensive performances this year.
I think we have to be objective about his performance. He played a helluva game without our starting WRs and stud RB. There are a ton of factors to consider, one being the rotating QB approach which didn't work well after the first few plays. You have to admit Mills made some really nice throws, read routes better, displayed good pocket presence and made some plays with his legs--all things that we've been critical of him not doing well. Was he perfect, no but he went toe-to-toe against one of the best teams in the league and had us in a position to win it in OT. His biggest mistake was not tucking the ball once he decided to run on that last play. That sucked, but it was weird that it seemed the play wasn't even reviewed because they moved it to KC fast. It was pretty clear on replay the KC player dug it away from Dare with 3-4 Chiefs on top of him. You also have to admit the last two weeks have been a more entertaining experience given we've played two winners and had them both concerned for most of the games. QB is the toughest individual position to play in sports. It takes time, experience and reps to truly judge a player's potential. While virtually everyone on this board has written Mills off, I haven't. One big reason I want to take Will Anderson or Jalen Carter #1. I know many folks want Bryce Young and frankly speaking I love his intangibles, but I'm not convinced he should be #1 in this draft. Perhaps in the draft eval process things change, he measures at 5-11 and 197 lbs and with his intangibles and arm, our staff believes he's the future and take him first overall. I'll be onboard and support him 100%. However, if he has growing pains, I hope the board understands the enormity of transitioning from college to pro for the QB position and give him time to develop before calling him "gutter trash".
And that’s the most frustrating thing. Davis made some good throws today and used his legs more, but I still didn’t like the end of the game. Regardless of the skill players around him, I want my QB to rise up for late-game situations. Davis just hasn’t been able to do that. This week is another example. He really hasn’t been able to put together a COMPLETE game this year
That's where we agree. Sports in general require a complete effort from start to finish, but momentum can change on a dime (see Minny and Indy). If he had been able to lead us down for a TD or FG, then that would have been the kind of game he could possibly build on. Now he'll remember the fumble and it leading to the loss. Let's see if he's able to build on this game's successes or whether he regresses to this season's mean in the remaining few games.
At this point, I am. I’m willing to take the gamble, especially if we get a new coaching staff. But anybody we pick at the top spot has to have to right coaches to develop him. We don’t have the right teachers in place to do so currently (offense or defense)
And there’s too much heat about firing Lovie already. He’s gonna be here next year. Too many coaches and league bringing it up.
https://www.tankathon.com/nfl 2023 NFL Draft Order 1. Houston 1-12-1 .107 -- .504 Lost 9 13. Cleveland 6-8 .429 4.5 .511 Won 1
I'm not a Mills fanboy by any stretch, but he is going to be our starting QB next year unless we sign a Vet placeholder. Regardless of where you draft a QB in the draft you don't start him week 1 with this O line. Carr 2.0. Won't be ready to go until some certain point later in the season. But to be fair, what has Mills had to work with the last 2 weeks. Surrounded by a group of dumpster dive support cast as weapons, and he had faired well for the most part. I think our D is getting close, and can be average with some FA signings, if they can get anyone to come here. I hope we go all in on offence, interior lineman, WR that can be an impact player, another RB, and another TE.
I'm betting with iol upgrades and a weapon or 2 Mills improves. I still want to draft Williams or Maye in 2024.
I wonder if Young is drafted and goes through the growing pains that Mills has, even though Young has much more experience in college against tougher teams than Mills had it the MB warriors will be judging Young under the same lens that they're judging Mills under?
Why wouldn’t we? Mills is near the end of his second season and still can’t throw accurately to either sideline. That’s a serious issue. He used his mobility better than he ever has yesterday, but he’s not comfortable with it. Even when he extends plays, his passes are inaccurate so receivers can’t make a play on the ball. No matter who the qb is for the Texans, they will be critiqued as they should be. It’s a performance league.
I did a draft simulator where we traded out of the first pick and was able to grab 4.) Johnson tcu 13.) Addison use 32.) Washington Georgia and in on simulation Mayer notre dame I think if this was possible I'd be okay with passing on young and fix the trenches through free agency while taking hooker or Duggan in the 3rd if possible
I agree that this was one of the best games by Mills since he has been here. He will make for a fine backup in the future.
Good question and one of the reasons I threw it out there. I don't believe any of us know how incredibly difficult it is to play the QB position at the NFL level or making the transition from College to Pro. What isn't discussed much is Mills is on his second OC in 2 years. Yes, Pep was his QB Coach, but he has definitely changed the plays and play calling up from last year. All of that has an impact. Mills just seemed more tentative to me this year than at the end of last year. Yesterday was the first game he looked a little like his old self. Coaching and system have a big impact on QB development, and the Texans have probably been below average in those areas in Mills first two seasons. Bryce will have an adjustment like any QB. His advantage over Mills is he's got more big game college experience and seems to process the game faster than Davis.
The accuracy has been one of the biggest points of regression this year. His mechanics are just off and he's not loading his back foot so he can't transfer his weight before going into his throwing motion, and I think that's a primary culprit. Not sure it is something that can be cleaned up or if he's just rushing to get rid of the ball because he doesn't trust the protection to hold up for him. Just looks like a different thrower than what we saw at the end of last year.
