He's inconsistent. Looked bad against the Bills/Looked like the future franchise QB against the Pats/Looked somewhere in between against the Colts. This should be expected of a rookie QB with as little experience as Mills has.
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He's inconsistent. Looked bad against the Bills/Looked like the future franchise QB against the Pats/Looked somewhere in between against the Colts. This should be expected of a rookie QB with as little experience as Mills has.
Texian
Hall of Fame
Not really, just stating the obvious.
They can't win because Mills is so green; any OC would have a difficult time formulate an effective game plan for him.
After that, Mills haven't seen how real NFL defenses counter those week to week game plans.
If Kelly limits the playbook, the defense will quickly adjust as the game along, making it difficult to score.
If Kelly opens it up, it will lead to more turnovers.
Go back to Stanford for another year.
Kellen Moore was the King of the short game in college.
But that style doesn't work in the NFL.
Kellen Moore College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Check out Kellen Moore's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
So you're saying Mills is going to be like every other rookie QB?
How many college games did he start?
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
I think Tyrod comes back and starts. But it’s very likely they hand it back over to Mills when they get to 10 or 12 losses. Which would be ideal for Mills to take a step back and absorb what he has learned then put it into practice to end the year.
SnakeEyes
Under NRG
No, Kelly is not a good OC. Maybe a position coach, but he is not a game planner. Culley might be better off to do the play calling. Or our OL coach. I might even give the beer vender in section 2 a shot. We have a ton of TEs, and Kelly uses them to block. Yet when he allowed them to be receivers, odd Mills tossed 3TDs/0INTs and a QBR of 141. With all the RBs we have, I would like to see 2 on the field at the same time. Seeing they are not doing well alone, put 2 in. Use one as a FB, blocker, motion guy, something. That may confuse a D long enough to get an actual run of 4-5 yards at a time. This is chess. When you are only moving 1/2 of the pieces and your opponent is moving all of them... your going to loose
SnakeEyes
Under NRG
Irrelevant how many he played. He played enough to show he has ability, brains and an arm. He didn't play enough to show certain things scouting reports list. As an example, he is more mobile than the scouting reports said. Not by alot, but enough to give him more time. He can take a hit and get up and he can forget bad plays and not lose focus.
In the NFL things change. Everything is faster, throwing windows tighter, players know what someone is going to do by an eye movement. And so much more. He is showing that he is learning and developing. How good is he going to be is unknown. What is known is he is playing better now than he was 3 weeks ago... despite awful play calling
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
First, Kelly can game plan however he wishes. Mills had a horrible game in Buffalo but so will several other veterans in 2022. Kelly has limited the Texans playbook. He’s also gone far too conservative in the second half of games. Not to mention, opposing teams have made their halftime adjustments while Kelly arrives after the half and acts as though adjusting his plan on the fly goes against everything he learned from OB.
If this is your argument….how does Mills produce the game he had against the Patriots? Your argument lends itself to simply black or white results……there is no room for gray. Based on your analogy Mills should’ve only produced results +-5% of his Bills game results.
ROOKIE QB RATINGS THRU WK 6 (Draft Spot)
1. Mac Jones- 89.6 (15) 2-4
2. Trevor Lawrence- 75.5 (01) 1-5
3. Davis Mills- 73.2 (67) 0-4
4. Justin Fields- 67.4 (11) 2-2
5. Zach Wilson- 62.9 (02) 1-4
Texans are 0-4 in Mills starts yet he’s somehow managed to better 2 QB’s drafted way ahead of him. Trey Lance will eventually play himself into the rankings…..he was the number 03 player drafted and suits up for the 49’ers.
I’d say a young man who’s started 16 (12+4) games since HS has more than held his own while playing on the worst team in the NFL.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
So it’s everybody’s fault but Mills? Man, I’ve never seen so many work so hard to justify play good enough to get you a passer rating in the low to mid 70’s. Hey, he’s better than Mallett but not quite at Osweiler level. Yippee!!
Case Keenum had 8 TD, 1 INT and a 99 rating his 1st 4 starts and that dude got torched around here. But Mills with his 5 TD, 7 INT and 73.2 rating is really showing us something out there. I just don’t get it.
Look, we all get the situation sucks here. And if you’re going to keep comparing him to them, the same could be said for Jacksonville and the Jets, and they’re both scoring more points per game than the Mills led Texans are.
Will Mills be an adequate starter in this league? Too early to tell. But I’m not going to make up a bunch of excuses for him to justify bad numbers. Deshaun Watson killed it and people complained. He holds onto the ball to long, always playing hero ball, blah, blah, blah. Mills has a 5/7 73.2 and it’s Kelly sucks, the run game sucks, the o-line sucks. I just don’t get it.
SnakeEyes
Under NRG
Nobody knows what Mills will be. All we know is that he has improved his game since he became the starter. Kelly has also hindered his play by taking away weapons like the TEs as receivers (he turns them into blocks mainly most games). So how good he becomes is a waiting game. Nobody knows the answer yet. If he keeps improving, then with a better game plan and a healthy OL (and TEs not just as blockers) his ceiling gets higher I think.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
How did my post illicit all this rhetoric?
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Watching that epic match-up Monday night, Bills vs Titans thought would be easy win for Buffalo but as it turned out a tough loss for them. Reason why, no more important position than QB and Josh Allen is among the best vs Ryan Tannehill who struggles against pressure. Except for one huge difference, Derrick Henry.
Best way to take heat off a QB is either a two headed beast running attack or a true bell cow RB like Henry. I’m pretty sure Mills is at least equal if not better than Tannehill throwing the ball, lacks athletic mobility is his kryptonite.
Remember frustration in 2019 draft Texans had Josh Jacobs sitting there (who has been injured a lot but when heathy a beast) who would have provided that bell cow RB Texans needed to shore up running attack (covered up by Watsons running ability).
Now the Texans need to draft one, it’s obvious, bonus would be plus blocker in pass pro as well. Breece Hall Iowa State sure looks like a franchise back. Suppose it rides on return from Watson trade (Miami) in extra picks? Unsure yet as to which QB to target but getting a young talented RB early for a change would greatly impact this Texans offense, Tim Kelly play calling and QB rating whether it be Mills or new #1.
Best way to take heat off a QB is either a two headed beast running attack or a true bell cow RB like Henry. I’m pretty sure Mills is at least equal if not better than Tannehill throwing the ball, lacks athletic mobility is his kryptonite.
Remember frustration in 2019 draft Texans had Josh Jacobs sitting there (who has been injured a lot but when heathy a beast) who would have provided that bell cow RB Texans needed to shore up running attack (covered up by Watsons running ability).
Now the Texans need to draft one, it’s obvious, bonus would be plus blocker in pass pro as well. Breece Hall Iowa State sure looks like a franchise back. Suppose it rides on return from Watson trade (Miami) in extra picks? Unsure yet as to which QB to target but getting a young talented RB early for a change would greatly impact this Texans offense, Tim Kelly play calling and QB rating whether it be Mills or new #1.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
There’s a RB at UTSA that won’t be under the radar much longer. He’s been a beast.
It's his quest to be right.
I'm waiting to 2023 for Bijan if I'm drafting a RB in the 1st Rd.
Texansballer74
The Marine
The short game has worked for a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL.Go back to Stanford for another year.
Kellen Moore was the King of the short game in college.
But that style doesn't work in the NFL.
Kellen Moore College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Check out Kellen Moore's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
The short game works, you just have to spread it around and hit the deeper routes consistently when you have the opportunites. a run game also helps with that. Problem with Mills right now is he's only been throwing those 5-8 yard outs and comebacks with the occasional 1v1 slant mixed in.........& he's only consistently been able to hit 1 guy with those. I can't discern if this is just him or if its Kelly and the playcalling...i'm leaning towards Kelly and the playcalling though. They are trying to protect him some with simple, single reads. He's not shown the consistency to move from his 1st read to his 2nd read...not while standing stationary in the pocket anyway. he's not seeing the whole field just yet...That 1st int in the game is proof of that...Didn't see Leonard slide underneath at all before he pulled the trigger on that throw.
Mills isn't a short game QB. He avgd 10 ypa against New England. We don't know what he's going to be.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Ehh i'll take that back, he saw what he needed to see on that int, he was just late getting over to his 2nd read & he threw it wrong like he did in his 2nd pick...if he was going to throw it on a rope like he eventually did, his window to do that was right as Nico is coming out of his stem... seen in the 1st screenshot below. There's roughly 7-8 yards between Nico and Leonard at that point horizontally and vertically & no way does Leonard makes it over there in time..would've been a big gain b/c as you can see the safeties are also 10-12 yards away.
Instead what he does is tries to throw it in the 2nd, much tighter window (in between the LB's) Seen in the 2nd screenshot. Still could've been a nice completion and gain if he puts loft on it to get it over the LBs b/c the distance between Nico and Leonard is vertically 5-6 yards..............if he puts loft on it to get it over the LBs that is.
Rookie stuff.
Instead what he does is tries to throw it in the 2nd, much tighter window (in between the LB's) Seen in the 2nd screenshot. Still could've been a nice completion and gain if he puts loft on it to get it over the LBs b/c the distance between Nico and Leonard is vertically 5-6 yards..............if he puts loft on it to get it over the LBs that is.
Rookie stuff.
vtech9
All Pro
We already have a bell cow RB, but our OLine isn't blocking well enough for him to even get started. I doubt Henry would do much better here than Ingram has.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
I call bullcrap. Everyone was HOWLING for Mr. Pick-6 to be benched. Case lost his first three games by a total of 7 points and threw 7 TDs without an interception. He threw for yardage, had a decent completion rate. If people complained about anything, it was that he Watson'd it with never giving up on a play and taking sacks he shouldn't have. But he absolutely was not getting torched in his first starts.
Where did he get torched? In his next five starts where he had 2 TD, 6 INT and a 58% rating while barely completing 50% of his passes and only once threw for more than 170 yards. While having AJ and DHop as his receivers.
Case spent the year before on the PS and almost half the season holding a clipboard before he was put in a game, after being named the starter. Mills had a pre-season and 5 quarters before he was thrust into the game because of injury. I'm willing to give honest critique of Mills based on not just his play on the field but the circumstances that put him there. Which are apples to oranges related to Keenum.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
People love ignoring context around here to float agendas.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
It’s all here. Feel free to go back and look.
badboy
Hall of Fame
That Bell cow needs to be barbecued and a new one brought in.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Yeah but... But Keenum was in a deer stand in a tree when he was invited to be a Texan! Isn't that worth a few points on a QBR?
That should be better than a touchdown-to-interception ratio or an average yards per completion pass.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
I was here. The argument was mainly about should Keenum even be getting a chance over Yates, because McNair told Kubiak to play him. There was a pro-Case crowd and an anti-Case crowd before he even started one game. That is probably the biggest similarity with Mills. But no one roasted him for those first few starts where he threw for yards and TD's and barely lost.
And some team will give Reich another shot. Book it.
Can you say the same for Culley? Of course not. The Texans were the only ones willing to give him a job, and most likely because other qualified candidates were not interested.
The entire herd needs to be thinned.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Reich likely will get another shot, mostly b/c he’s young enough to stick on someone’s staff as an OC for a few years…long enough for folks to forget how horrible he was.
Culley won’t…..mainly b/c of his age…too old.
point is, its won’t be b/c he’s a good HC with Indy.
I know this is difficult for you. But you have to embrace the suck. That means players and coaches.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Pure conjecture on your part.
Pretty sound conjecture. The first job to open, the last to be filled. Easterby staying on was likely a deal breaker for many HCs and GMs.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Not really. They could've hurried and hired some jo schmoe like Nick Sirianni. Doesn't look like its working out any better for them than it did for us waiting to hire a guy we wanted.
Examples?
Or culled or in Texans Talk....Culleyed
Good post. Another takeaway. The Bills are running the offense BOB was trying to run. From the deep shots to the QB rolling or drifting right. But to your point. The Bills lost that game because they didn't have a RB to complement their passing game and the Titans won because of Henry's ability to protect/make Tannehill a better QB, wear down a defense, having LBs respect the play action and his ability to score from any where on the field.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
An opinion doesn't become a fact with the use of the word "Likely" as both of you did.
What's your point? Unless someone was in the room when the offers were made, how would we know? The reporting in this town is below abysmal. Do you think this was a highly desired job in the NFL? Kyle, Nick, and Jack were scrapping the bottom of the barrel. That seems pretty obvious to the most casual observer.
Texansballer74
The Marine
They also lost because of a bad coaching decision and a slippage by Allen. You kick the FG and settle that thing in overtime.
vtech9
All Pro
Not until we fix the OLine. It's really not going to matter much what RB we bring in if he's getting hit either at or behind the line of scrimmage every time he carries the ball.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
I agree. We don't know. Which is the point.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Umm brother 76, really. As much as you’ve studied this game. You’re asking for examples? Come on
It should go a bit better over the next couple of games. Arizona isn't very good against the run, neither are the Rams or Dolphins.
I do understand their run defense stats will probably look better after they play us.
I did.
That's why I asked.
Here are the guys from last year.
www.statmuse.com
And the guys currently.
www.cbssports.com
They're winning with the deep passes.
That's why I asked.
Here are the guys from last year.
Most Deep Pass Attempts Of 2020 Regular Season | StatMuse
Matt Ryan made the most pass attempts in 2020, with 626 attempts.
And the guys currently.
Murray's magic, Dak's patience and Allen's deep ball: Here's how the NFL's top QBs are dominating in 2021
These eight QB are playing at an elite level, but no two styles have been the same
www.cbssports.com
They're winning with the deep passes.
First and foremost. I hope Mills is the QBOF because for my own selfish reasons, I hope his performances wins games for my favorite NFL team. It's too early to tell on Mills. The sample size is too small and it's idiotic to continually compare him to other rookie QBs with only 4 games under their belt. Can we wait until the end of the season or even the halfway point?
What I'm seeing not just from this forum, but certain co-workers, friends and even some relatives. Before the trade request and allegations, they were never going to accept Watson and his play in O'Brien's offense. They were not willing to give him a chance with another Texans HC, OC or scheme. Now these same vocal, annoying and downright obnoxious people have selective amnesia and preaching patience and glossing over Mills' performances. A Colts DB dropped an INT inside the 10 yard line that hit both hands because Mills locked onto the WR and I don't recall reading one post or mention about that play. Instead, I'm reading that he doesn't lock on to his WRs when everyone knows that the majority of rookie QBs are not reading the field and are locking onto to their WRs.
To be honest. If I slip and criticize Mills unfairly. It will probably have more to do with these previously vocal, annoying and obnoxious people that are now preaching patience, questioning fandom of others, telling me to don't believe my lying eyes or trying to piss on my head and calling it rain.
See my post in #446
Mills is next to last in Air Yard per Attempt.
That's decidedly a dinker and dunker.
2021 NFL Passing | Pro-Football-Reference.com
Check out the 2021 NFL Passing Stats and more on Pro-football-reference.com
www.pro-football-reference.com
I agree, it’s too early to tell who Mills will turn out to be. But a lot of the discussion on Mills is about how “ready” he is to play now & the wisdom of using a 3rd RD pick on a QB who only started 11 games in college.
In those respects, comparing him to the QBs taken ahead of him, in this draft, this early, makes sense.