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[Pick 67] Davis Mills QB Stanford

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Listen, Mills has earned the role to continue on being our starter for the time being, but calm down with comparisons to Watson. DW4 on the field was a top 5 player entering his prime. Let's not start thinking Steel's opinion on the player Watson was accurate.

Mills definitely has some nice traits, but he was always super inconsistent in college. Let's see how he progresses and continues to improve on that.
How you feeling about Derrick these days.

Hopefully future captain of the Mean Machine?

Wonder if they will let him take the Lambo out on weekend passes with Jelly Anus? BTW, That's her sticking the jelly in your guys azz. Minus the jelly Derrick should feel right at home in the slammer. After all he likes things in his azz. The only debate is whether he's a 2 or 3 finger type of perv.
 

SnakeEyes

Under NRG
The 49 mph reading on Watson was on a single throw, and if memory serves, the QBs are not aware when the measurements are being taken. Hardly a way to conclusively determine a players effective throwing velocity.

Watson has a live arm...not at the level of Mahomes or Rodgers, but the kid can throw deep. Too bad he is lacking morality and basic human decency.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
In a way it's not conclusive. However, due to it being done without their knowledge...you can get a good idea of the average speed. They no question measure the same throw type. Which, unless not too bright, means that they are all doing whatever they can to show good every single throw. Which also might be why Watson showed the 49. He might have a little bit better arm but he didn't care (or know that could be the case) because he knew he was a top 10 pick. Sounds odd...but possibly no question
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
How did I know this post was coming?

He finally had time to go through his progressions and his receivers had time to run deeper routes. Plus this is what Mills could be if he had a run game to work with. Fix the OL and you will see more of this.
Just like I knew you would be overly hyped about Mills. It’s amazing on how you guys go about things around these parts. You wasn’t saying none of this crap when Watson didn’t have time in the pocket. Whenever he had to improvise you was one of the first to to rhetorical and toss around he holds onto the ball or he plays hero ball. Whenever he did have great protection and delivered you still critique his game.

In other freaking games Mills had time to deliver the ball down field, he would miss his receiver. He was not good with the deep ball. He finally hit on those passes, now he’s the next coming of Tom Brady.

And please miss me with the F’n antics because I gave Mills praises for that game and his improvement. I don’t toss around back handed compliments, all the while meaning something completely else. I will leave that up to a certain few of you prestigious gentlemen.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
True Top 5 QB and the team has won as many games without him this yr as with him last yr. That's not a coincidence when it comes to selfish players being leaders of your team.
How many wins before that season. This is exactly what I was talking about. Back handed comments like this. You’re acting like last season was solely on Watson. F the defense costing us at least 7 of those games.
 
Just like I knew you would be overly hyped about Mills. It’s amazing on how you guys go about things around these parts. You wasn’t saying none of this crap when Watson didn’t have time in the pocket. Whenever he had to improvise you was one of the first to to rhetorical and toss around he holds onto the ball or he plays hero ball. Whenever he did have great protection and delivered you still critique his game.

In other freaking games Mills had time to deliver the ball down field, he would miss his receiver. He was not good with the deep ball. He finally hit on those passes, now he’s the next coming of Tom Brady.

And please miss me with the F’n antics because I gave Mills praises for that game and his improvement. I don’t toss around back handed compliments, all the while meaning something completely else. I will leave that up to a certain few of you prestigious gentlemen.
Life Line.JPG

Get back here! I will not allow you to go down that hole...
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Still not a fan of those routes...Mills made some good throws and the receivers made some nice grabs on some of them.
Agree. If you look at the video reviews. Kelly was still calling the slow developing routes with 3-4 WRs running 15+ yard routes without any underneath routes or checkdowns. The difference is the pass blocking was better against the Chargers.
 
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Earl34

Hall of Fame
How many wins before that season. This is exactly what I was talking about. Back handed comments like this. You’re acting like last season was solely on Watson. F the defense costing us at least 7 of those games.
Although they are ranked the same, if last year's defense performed like this year with the TOs, situation defense and better coaching, they would have won more than four games.
 
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frethack

Rookie
In a way it's not conclusive. However, due to it being done without their knowledge...you can get a good idea of the average speed. They no question measure the same throw type. Which, unless not too bright, means that they are all doing whatever they can to show good every single throw. Which also might be why Watson showed the 49. He might have a little bit better arm but he didn't care (or know that could be the case) because he knew he was a top 10 pick. Sounds odd...but possibly no question
You can't get an idea of average anything with one measurement, and we have no details on how/when the measurements are taken. Just because you're not slinging fast balls every throw doesn't mean you aren't throwing well. Most passes require touch.

Putting aside any bias about Watson as a human being, what do your eyes tell you about Watson the QB?

Holds the ball too long? Yes.
Looks deep (or to run) when he should take what the defense gives him? Yes.
Weak (or even average) arm? No.

On field, Watson had good, not great, arm talent.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Just like I knew you would be overly hyped about Mills. It’s amazing on how you guys go about things around these parts. You wasn’t saying none of this crap when Watson didn’t have time in the pocket. Whenever he had to improvise you was one of the first to to rhetorical and toss around he holds onto the ball or he plays hero ball. Whenever he did have great protection and delivered you still critique his game.

In other freaking games Mills had time to deliver the ball down field, he would miss his receiver. He was not good with the deep ball. He finally hit on those passes, now he’s the next coming of Tom Brady.

And please miss me with the F’n antics because I gave Mills praises for that game and his improvement. I don’t toss around back handed compliments, all the while meaning something completely else. I will leave that up to a certain few of you prestigious gentlemen.
Like I've said the difference is that Derrick was committing the same mistakes in yr 4 as he was in yr 1. I will tell you Derrick had a better rookie yr than Mills has had under the same type of circumstances., he just didn't really improve from his rookie yr. He didn't adjust his playing style once NFL DC's figured out his game.

The reason as of right now I'm giving Mills more rope in his rookie yr than I did Derrick in yr 3 (Remember after Derrick's rookie yr I posted that I thought I had missed on my eval because I thought he would continue to improve.) is because Mills is playing very well and has played in 11 games as a NFL QB and roughly 14 in college. That's not even 2 seasons as a starting QB. Mills still has many flaws mainly in his footwork to improve upon and hopefully by yr 3 he will have improved his flaws and more talent will be put around him. If he hasn't improved his flaws by yr 3 you will hear me starting to question if Mills is the QB to bring a Lombardi to Kirby.

The NFL will figure out Mills weaknesses and how successful Mills career will end up being will be dependent on if he can make adjustments to how DC's are trying to defend him.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Although they are ranked the same, if last year's defense performed like this year with the TOs, situation defense and better coaching, they would have won more than four games.
I knew this post was coming and you dont know this. I can get on board with the team struggling because of BOB/Kelly getting the team off to slow starts. Maybe Derrick had something to do with that, maybe not. Also the issues BOB/Kelly had making adjustments at halftime were real and still somewhat exist right now. However while I somewhat agree with you about the defense that wasn't the entire issue last yr, because the defense spent way to much time on the field last yr. They've also spent way to much time on the field this yr against the good teams that have beaten them like a drum.

Last yrs Texans beat up on bad teams, just like this yrs team. There's a parallel between the 2 seasons. Difference is that Caserio is cleaning up the mess and what should've happened during Derricks 2nd season, (A full rebuild with Derrick leading the rebuild) is happening now. If Caserio with 4 top 100 picks in this draft gets this right the future could indeed be very bright. After seeing what Caserio did in FA/Draft last yr I'm choosing to be optimistic.
 
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steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
How many wins before that season. This is exactly what I was talking about. Back handed comments like this. You’re acting like last season was solely on Watson. F the defense costing us at least 7 of those games.
I'm acting like I told you what was going to happen before both seasons.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Just like I knew you would be overly hyped about Mills. It’s amazing on how you guys go about things around these parts. You wasn’t saying none of this crap when Watson didn’t have time in the pocket. Whenever he had to improvise you was one of the first to to rhetorical and toss around he holds onto the ball or he plays hero ball. Whenever he did have great protection and delivered you still critique his game.

In other freaking games Mills had time to deliver the ball down field, he would miss his receiver. He was not good with the deep ball. He finally hit on those passes, now he’s the next coming of Tom Brady.

And please miss me with the F’n antics because I gave Mills praises for that game and his improvement. I don’t toss around back handed compliments, all the while meaning something completely else. I will leave that up to a certain few of you prestigious gentlemen.
The biggest thing that impresses me about Mills vs Watson is that Watson was a 1st round QB with championships already under his belt, no pun intended, so it was more about him adjusting to NFL level of play instead of wondering if he could play.

Mills came in with few games in college and was a 3rd round pick surrounded by a team that is much worst that what Watson had his first season. Hell the lack of Hopkins alone is a big difference.

Despite that Mills seems to be growing as a QB faster and learning to adjust faster. Watson played his type of football every game whether it was working or not and while he did learn a few things as he got experience you can’t really say that he adjusted the way he played.

Maybe this all comes back to coaching or maybe it’s just the other teams truly are that bad. Whatever the reason though something is changing and coming together, for now at least, that didn’t while it was the Watson/O’Brian show.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Like I've said the difference is that Derrick was committing the same mistakes in yr 4 as he was in yr 1. I will tell you Derrick had a better rookie yr than Mills has had under the same type of circumstances., he just didn't really improve from his rookie yr. He didn't adjust his playing style once NFL DC's figured out his game.

The reason as of right now I'm giving Mills more rope in his rookie yr than I did Derrick in yr 3 (Remember after Derrick's rookie yr I posted that I thought I had missed on my eval because I thought he would continue to improve.) is because Mills is playing very well and has played in 11 games as a NFL QB and roughly 14 in college. That's not even 2 seasons as a starting QB. Mills still has many flaws mainly in his footwork to improve upon and hopefully by yr 3 he will have improved his flaws and more talent will be put around him. If he hasn't improved his flaws by yr 3 you will hear me starting to question if Mills is the QB to bring a Lombardi to Kirby.

The NFL will figure out Mills weaknesses and how successful Mills career will end up being will be dependent on if he can make adjustments to how DC's are trying to defend him.
Lol made my post before reading this but we pretty much said the exact same thing.
 

SnakeEyes

Under NRG
You can't get an idea of average anything with one measurement, and we have no details on how/when the measurements are taken. Just because you're not slinging fast balls every throw doesn't mean you aren't throwing well. Most passes require touch.

Putting aside any bias about Watson as a human being, what do your eyes tell you about Watson the QB?

Holds the ball too long? Yes.
Looks deep (or to run) when he should take what the defense gives him? Yes.
Weak (or even average) arm? No.

On field, Watson had good, not great, arm talent.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Not disagreeing with you. Only made the comment about it because it was a hot topic when he came out.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Although they are ranked the same, if last year's defense performed like this year with the TOs, situation defense and better coaching, they would have won more than four games.
No doubt. But why isn’t he talking about the 10-6 season in which we didn’t have a good offensive line?

Oh Earl I hit upon that point as well. With a better defense last season we would’ve made the playoffs IMO.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
There were several people concerned about Watson’s ability to pick up & run this offense.

Most everyone blamed the route combinations & max protection for “no one being open” while others showed snap shots of open receivers.

I personally think a big problem in the run game was Watson’s inability to read a defense & set up the play correctly.

this is not to dump on Watson. While acknowledging his flaws, I was far happier with his ability to make something happen.

but, we need to stop focusing on one individuals take about whatever. Attack the post, not the poster
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
TT cracks me up.
There were several people concerned about Watson’s ability to pick up & run this offense.

Most everyone blamed the route combinations & max protection for “no one being open” while others showed snap shots of open receivers.

I personally think a big problem in the run game was Watson’s inability to read a defense & set up the play correctly.

this is not to dump on Watson. While acknowledging his flaws, I was far happier with his ability to make something happen.

but, we need to stop focusing on one individuals take about whatever. Attack the post, not the poster
So why has the running game struggled this year? Even with Taylor and Mills? I know everyone wants to put Watson in their rearview mirror and Mills is the flavor of the month, but to think a guy cannot read defenses yet throw 104 TDs with only 36 INTs is funny.
 

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
Like I've said the difference is that Derrick was committing the same mistakes in yr 4 as he was in yr 1. I will tell you Derrick had a better rookie yr than Mills has had under the same type of circumstances., he just didn't really improve from his rookie yr. He didn't adjust his playing style once NFL DC's figured out his game.

The reason as of right now I'm giving Mills more rope in his rookie yr than I did Derrick in yr 3 (Remember after Derrick's rookie yr I posted that I thought I had missed on my eval because I thought he would continue to improve.) is because Mills is playing very well and has played in 11 games as a NFL QB and roughly 14 in college. That's not even 2 seasons as a starting QB. Mills still has many flaws mainly in his footwork to improve upon and hopefully by yr 3 he will have improved his flaws and more talent will be put around him. If he hasn't improved his flaws by yr 3 you will hear me starting to question if Mills is the QB to bring a Lombardi to Kirby.

The NFL will figure out Mills weaknesses and how successful Mills career will end up being will be dependent on if he can make adjustments to how DC's are trying to defend him.
If we bolster the run game, receiving corp and Oline, then I would expect to see appreciable improvement by seasons end - if he starts and plays the whole season.
But here's the rub - will NC see enough improvement, (assuming he plays well these last two games) to give Mills the reins next year?
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
TT cracks me up.


So why has the running game struggled this year? Even with Taylor and Mills? I know everyone wants to put Watson in their rearview mirror and Mills is the flavor of the month, but to think a guy cannot read defenses yet throw 104 TDs with only 36 INTs is funny.
There’s a difference between “big problem” & “only problem”

Watson started his career with a better team that should have been able to run the ball better.

A lot of the rpo stuff I’ve said Watson read wrong.

& yes, playing street ball with Watson, Fuller, & Hopkins I can see 104TDs, 36 INTs, & no AFCCG appearance.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
There’s a difference between “big problem” & “only problem”

Watson started his career with a better team that should have been able to run the ball better.

A lot of the rpo stuff I’ve said Watson read wrong.

& yes, playing street ball with Watson, Fuller, & Hopkins I can see 104TDs, 36 INTs, & no AFCCG appearance.
So, the bull-headed, stubborn, control freak HC allowed them to play street ball and not run his prized offense? If he's consistently reading the RPO wrong, why didn't they pull it from the game plan? Some of you guys forget Watson only started 6 games as a rookie. Mills has already started seven.

I just find it hilarious that before the allegations, we you expected a team to give 2-3 first round picks for a flawed, weak armed, dumb, cannot read defense, street ball playing QB. Who knew NFL executives were so stupid.
:shades:

Edit: For @JB
 
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Texansballer74

The Marine
So, the bull-headed, stubborn, control freak HC allowed them to play street ball and not run his prized offense? If he's consistently reading the RPO wrong, why didn't they pull it from the game plan? Some of you guys forget Watson only started 6 games as a rookie. Mills has already started seven.

I just find it hilarious that before the allegations, we expected a team to give 2-3 first round picks for a flawed, weak armed, dumb, cannot read defense, street ball playing QB. Who knew NFL executives were so stupid. :shades:
Lol I’ve done read it all on here.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
So, the bull-headed, stubborn, control freak HC allowed them to play street ball and not run his prized offense?
In your guestimation, how many plays were executed as they should have been compared to how many plays ended up with Watson improvising?

I can't imagine the Texans coaches not expecting a play to break down on a regular basis & Watson improving.

If he's consistently reading the RPO wrong, why didn't they pull it from the game plan?
Do you remember back then, me & a couple others saying the exact same thing? If Watson was never going to pull the ball & run when the read says run, which he didn't, they should have taken it out a long time ago.

Why Bill O'Brien did what he did, I can not answer.

I just find it hilarious that before the allegations, we expected a team to give 2-3 first round picks for a flawed, weak armed, dumb, cannot read defense, street ball playing QB.
I was emotionally distraught
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
just find it hilarious that before the allegations, we expected a team to give 2-3 first round picks for a flawed, weak armed, dumb, cannot read defense, street ball playing QB. Who knew NFL executives were so stupid.
Wow, hyperbole much? Or do you always go to extremes because you disagree with someone's opinion? Let them in your head much?
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Wow, hyperbole much? Or do you always go to extremes because you disagree with someone's opinion? Let them in your head much?
What??? Did I mention something that was not posted by some of our local TT experts? 😎

Edit: For @JB
 
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steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
So, the bull-headed, stubborn, control freak HC allowed them to play street ball and not run his prized offense? If he's consistently reading the RPO wrong, why didn't they pull it from the game plan? Some of you guys forget Watson only started 6 games as a rookie. Mills has already started seven.

I just find it hilarious that before the allegations, we expected a team to give 2-3 first round picks for a flawed, weak armed, dumb, cannot read defense, street ball playing QB. Who knew NFL executives were so stupid. :shades:
You know my thoughts on Derrick.

He is who he is. Both on and off of the field. Selfish.

I'm ready to be done with this conversation.

Hopefully justice will be served and this will be the last we talk about him.

Good day.
 

Number19

Hall of Fame
See this what I don't understand. Zoom in on the receivers. All of them are intent and engaged in running their route. None of them are looking for or expecting the ball at this precise moment. Zoom in on Mills. He's ready to throw but is waiting on his receivers. That receiver between the hashes should be aware how open he is and be showing anticipation. Mills should be hitting him in full stride right now.

This is not on Mills. He can't "throw them open" because they are not expecting the ball. This is all on the receivers and the coaching.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
See this what I don't understand. Zoom in on the receivers. All of them are intent and engaged in running their route. None of them are looking for or expecting the ball at this precise moment. Zoom in on Mills. He's ready to throw but is waiting on his receivers. That receiver between the hashes should be aware how open he is and be showing anticipation. Mills should be hitting him in full stride right now.

This is not on Mills. He can't "throw them open" because they are not expecting the ball. This is all on the receivers and the coaching.

This is the same issue we brought up throughout the time Watson and Obrien was here. It was shot down because of the agenda a few members had going on. Now we're seeing the same crappy play designs/ route patterns with Mills. In the first game of this season, they ran a lot of misdirection play and rub routes. I thought Kelly was completely out of Obrien shadows. But like someone mentioned to me before, that's all Kelly knows, ( Obrien's offensive schemes/plan).
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
See this what I don't understand. Zoom in on the receivers. All of them are intent and engaged in running their route. None of them are looking for or expecting the ball at this precise moment. Zoom in on Mills. He's ready to throw but is waiting on his receivers. That receiver between the hashes should be aware how open he is and be showing anticipation. Mills should be hitting him in full stride right now.

This is not on Mills. He can't "throw them open" because they are not expecting the ball. This is all on the receivers and the coaching.
Just because someone says it is a problem does not mean it's a problem.

I know it makes sense to have a high, mid, low level read with a hot route & a checkdown on every play, but that's not the way it works for any team.

This just happens to be one where all the receivers are asked to go deep.

That's where play calling comes into play. You have to know what to call & when to call it to get your QB in rhythm & the defense on its heels.

The play caller did a pretty good job in that game.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
I never liked Watson as a quarterback and I KNEW from the very beginning Mills was the right choice at #67 in the draft.

Seriously, though, I don't give a crap what Watson did between 2017 and 2020. And I care even less about some one else's opinion on him. I find it ridiculous anybody would care about what another member of this board thinks about a player that isn't going to play another down for the Texans and may actually find himself in jail never playing another down for any NFL franchise but here we are.

Mills may be a bridge quarterback for the Texans or he may be more than that. Heck, he may regress. Unless something unexpected occurs, the Texans are going to be treading water for at least another year anyway so why get overamped over Mills, Mills Vs. Watson?
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Snappy I see. Dude it’s not even about that either. But since we’re there, it’s about keeping crap 100 no matter who the freakaziod it is. If you’re being extra critical to one particular player then when another player does the same exact thing, the criticism should be the same.
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
See this what I don't understand. Zoom in on the receivers. All of them are intent and engaged in running their route. None of them are looking for or expecting the ball at this precise moment. Zoom in on Mills. He's ready to throw but is waiting on his receivers. That receiver between the hashes should be aware how open he is and be showing anticipation. Mills should be hitting him in full stride right now.

This is not on Mills. He can't "throw them open" because they are not expecting the ball. This is all on the receivers and the coaching.
Without knowing down, distance, clock situation, and all the other variables much less what it would look like 1/2 second later it's very hard to fault anything seen there
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Is anyone else anticipating the fall out on the board if/when Mills has a bad game?

I am ready.

Wait. What? Where was the fallout on the board when Mills was leading an offense that was barely crossing midfield or when he was the starting QB on a team that got outscored 119-17 in four road games? If there was any fallout I missed it.

I might be mistaken. But I don't sense any vitriol towards Mills or posters waiting to crush the kid.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Wait. What? Where was the fallout on the board when Mills was leading an offense that was barely crossing midfield or when he was the starting QB on a team that got outscored 119-17 in four road games? If there was any fallout I missed it.

I might be mistaken. But I don't sense any vitriol towards Mills or posters waiting to crush the kid.
It's only been a few weeks.

In that time, there was absolutely no optimism for this team. Then Mills had a really good game & the roofs gone. If Mills bombs Sunday... could get ugly.
 

Number19

Hall of Fame
Without knowing down, distance, clock situation, and all the other variables much less what it would look like 1/2 second later it's very hard to fault anything seen there
Down, distance, clock, other - none of this matters. Read the photo. The LOS is somewhere around the 35. The defender is outside the right hash mark. And look at his feet. The receiver is between the hash marks, running at full speed with a slight slant toward the left, away from the defender. The receiver has that defender beat for 15 yds, or a TD if he can beat the deep safety.

Ideally the pass needs to be over the receivers left shoulder away from the defender, but this would be an extremely difficult pass with Mills on the right hash mark. Mills needs to drill the pass to the receivers right shoulder.

If this is not enough for a 1st down, you are now in short field goal range.

This is an easy completion that Mills should be capable of completing if he is too be our future starter. He and the receivers just need to be reading the defense.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
This is the same issue we brought up throughout the time Watson and Obrien was here. It was shot down because of the agenda a few members had going on. Now we're seeing the same crappy play designs/ route patterns with Mills. In the first game of this season, they ran a lot of misdirection play and rub routes. I thought Kelly was completely out of Obrien shadows. But like someone mentioned to me before, that's all Kelly knows, ( Obrien's offensive schemes/plan).
No one at anytime has said that they thought OB’s offense was good and I can’t think of anyone that wanted to keep Kelly and by default OB’s scheme. It was done for other reasons and you know that.

The biggest difference in the way Watson vs Mills is handling that bad scheme. Watson was a duel threat that trusted, to much most games, his legs to make a play if his arm couldn’t. Mills strikes me as more the type that if he is running then something has gone really wrong.

This leads to the second problem of because Watson trusts his legs more he will wait for the big, highlight reel pass that gets 30+ if it connects, Mills is happy to take 5-10 yards and call it a win.

I’m am in no way saying Mills is the next Brady but his style of play is more like Brady than Watson’s was and remember Brady was the primary QB that BoB worked with and developed the scheme for so yeah it makes sense that when it works, which isn’t often, it works better for a guy like Mills than a guy like Watson.
 
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