[lex24]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

[lex24]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

[OutsiderFan]

Mills started 14-14 today and looks pretty good as I am watching. He is certainly unflappable and looks like he belongs, but obviously, the team around him is terrible, particularly on offense. Has 166 yds passing at half, 3 more than Russell Wilson.

And Fairbairn with 61yd FG at half to make it 16-13 Seattle.

[OutsiderFan]

Mills started 14-14 today and looks pretty good as I am watching. He is certainly unflappable and looks like he belongs, but obviously, the team around him is terrible, particularly on offense. Has 166 yds passing at half, 3 more than Russell Wilson.

And Fairbairn with 61yd FG at half to make it 16-13 Seattle.

[Austroturf]

Mills started 14-14 today and looks pretty good as I am watching. He is certainly unflappable and looks like he belongs, but obviously, the team around him is terrible, particularly on offense. Has 166 yds passing at half, 3 more than Russell Wilson.

And Fairbairn with 61yd FG at half to make it 16-13 Seattle.

I was also impressed with how Mills played in the first half.  Quick release, precise passes, good pocket presence.  I wish he had started more than just 11 games at Stanford.  The Mills era was a blip for Cardinal football; but maybe he can become a more enduring success at the NFL-level.

[Austroturf]

Mills started 14-14 today and looks pretty good as I am watching. He is certainly unflappable and looks like he belongs, but obviously, the team around him is terrible, particularly on offense. Has 166 yds passing at half, 3 more than Russell Wilson.

And Fairbairn with 61yd FG at half to make it 16-13 Seattle.

I was also impressed with how Mills played in the first half.  Quick release, precise passes, good pocket presence.  I wish he had started more than just 11 games at Stanford.  The Mills era was a blip for Cardinal football; but maybe he can become a more enduring success at the NFL-level.

[Farm93]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

He would need to be winning most of the games down the stretch to really have a shot at keeping the job.   The HC that goes with Mills in 2022 would be betting his job on that choice.   Mills is doing OK, but far from the level that most HCs would bet their livelihood on him as the opening day starter.

Is Mills better than several other backup QBs in the NFL?  Yes
Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

[Farm93]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

He would need to be winning most of the games down the stretch to really have a shot at keeping the job.   The HC that goes with Mills in 2022 would be betting his job on that choice.   Mills is doing OK, but far from the level that most HCs would bet their livelihood on him as the opening day starter.

Is Mills better than several other backup QBs in the NFL?  Yes
Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

[lex24]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

He would need to be winning most of the games down the stretch to really have a shot at keeping the job.   The HC that goes with Mills in 2022 would be betting his job on that choice.   Mills is doing OK, but far from the level that most HCs would bet their livelihood on him as the opening day starter.

Is Mills better than several other backup QBs in the NFL?  Yes
Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

So I’d guess you’d get rid of Lawrence, Wilson and Fields.  They aren’t winning games.

[lex24]

Seems like their belief is that Mills is more representative of the direction they hope to take with their offense and QB in 2022.  Therefore Davis will play for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy, because that allows them to run the type of system they plan to use in the future.   

Then in the offseason the organization will try to find a starter and a back-up through the draft or free agency.

Maybe if Mills stays healthy they will keep him as the back-up in 2022, but at least with Mills they can assess if other players on the offense are a good fit for the style of offense they expect to use next year.

It feels like a tough assignment, but most QBs in colleges today would be thrilled to get to start a few games in the NFL to show what they can do beyond throwing balls at the combine.

Why do you discount the possibility that Mills may be their guy going forward?

He would need to be winning most of the games down the stretch to really have a shot at keeping the job.   The HC that goes with Mills in 2022 would be betting his job on that choice.   Mills is doing OK, but far from the level that most HCs would bet their livelihood on him as the opening day starter.

Is Mills better than several other backup QBs in the NFL?  Yes
Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

So I’d guess you’d get rid of Lawrence, Wilson and Fields.  They aren’t winning games.

[DC 86]

Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

Why does he have to be "better than most starters"? There are 17 starting QBs in the NFL who aren't "better than most starters".

Regardless, Houston is going to try to improve the QB room, either by trading Watson or through the draft. But Mills only needs to be better than the alternatives on the roster, not better than half the starters in the league.

[DC 86]

Is Mills better than most starters in the NFL?  Apparently, no.

As I mentioned most college QBs would be thrilled to get a chance like the one Mills is getting.  However, things will need to improve quite a bit for me to believe Houston's GM will not try to improve the QB situation through the upcoming draft.

Why does he have to be "better than most starters"? There are 17 starting QBs in the NFL who aren't "better than most starters".

Regardless, Houston is going to try to improve the QB room, either by trading Watson or through the draft. But Mills only needs to be better than the alternatives on the roster, not better than half the starters in the league.

[Goose]

Regardless, Houston is going to try to improve the QB room, either by trading Watson or through the draft. But Mills only needs to be better than the alternatives on the roster, not better than half the starters in the league.

True, if we are talking about Houston keeping him. What I hope happens is that Houston does draft somebody to be the "franchise QB" and that they trade Mills to a better team that knows value when they see it.

[Goose]

Regardless, Houston is going to try to improve the QB room, either by trading Watson or through the draft. But Mills only needs to be better than the alternatives on the roster, not better than half the starters in the league.

True, if we are talking about Houston keeping him. What I hope happens is that Houston does draft somebody to be the "franchise QB" and that they trade Mills to a better team that knows value when they see it.

[Farm93]

The HC turnover in the NFL is brutal.   Coaches in the NFL need to be ruthless on roster choices.   If a team really does not believe their QB can be above average, then that staff will need to make QB changes in the offseason just for a chance to keep their jobs.

Mills is a player that is now 0-6 or 0-7 as a starter.   There may be some QBs that are not winning a lot, but most have won at least a few games.  A GM that invests in a first round pick as a QB will do a lot more to make that pick work than a 3rd round pick they selected as a prudent emergency back-up option that is now winless after almost a half a season of action as the starter.

It's OK.  Mills can be a good QB, and a decent backup.   He got a chance, and looks like a viable backup.   The deck was stacked against him, but it is not quite working out for him to claim the starting job.  

The Texans' QB situation is rather unique.   They got stuck with a QB that became very toxic.  Going into the 2022 draft and the 2022 season, the Texans will need to get a new QB.   That should either be a 1st round draft pick or a free-agent.   In reality, if the GM and HC are not able to see that need then both will be out of a job in a few weeks and the next GM and/or HC will draft a QB in the first round.

[Farm93]

The HC turnover in the NFL is brutal.   Coaches in the NFL need to be ruthless on roster choices.   If a team really does not believe their QB can be above average, then that staff will need to make QB changes in the offseason just for a chance to keep their jobs.

Mills is a player that is now 0-6 or 0-7 as a starter.   There may be some QBs that are not winning a lot, but most have won at least a few games.  A GM that invests in a first round pick as a QB will do a lot more to make that pick work than a 3rd round pick they selected as a prudent emergency back-up option that is now winless after almost a half a season of action as the starter.

It's OK.  Mills can be a good QB, and a decent backup.   He got a chance, and looks like a viable backup.   The deck was stacked against him, but it is not quite working out for him to claim the starting job.  

The Texans' QB situation is rather unique.   They got stuck with a QB that became very toxic.  Going into the 2022 draft and the 2022 season, the Texans will need to get a new QB.   That should either be a 1st round draft pick or a free-agent.   In reality, if the GM and HC are not able to see that need then both will be out of a job in a few weeks and the next GM and/or HC will draft a QB in the first round.

[BostonCard]

Mills went 33/49 (67%) for 331 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, and yet Houston got blown out (33-13).  He was one of the few bright spots for the team.  Houston didn’t win, but it wasn’t due to poor quarterbacking.

BC

[BostonCard]

Mills went 33/49 (67%) for 331 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, and yet Houston got blown out (33-13).  He was one of the few bright spots for the team.  Houston didn’t win, but it wasn’t due to poor quarterbacking.

BC

[needle]

Mills went 33/49 (67%) for 331 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, and yet Houston got blown out (33-13).  He was one of the few bright spots for the team.  Houston didn’t win, but it wasn’t due to poor quarterbacking.

BC

Did you watch the game? I'd give Mills a C+ grade. 

Too often, when the game could have been had, he didn't pull the trigger. Late in the game, he had a couple of passes that should have been intercepted.

Mills remains an enigma. If you remember he's a rookie--and an inexperienced one at that--it's far from all bad. I just wouldn't bet the house that he'll end up an NFL starter after this year.

[needle]

Mills went 33/49 (67%) for 331 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, and yet Houston got blown out (33-13).  He was one of the few bright spots for the team.  Houston didn’t win, but it wasn’t due to poor quarterbacking.

BC

Did you watch the game? I'd give Mills a C+ grade. 

Too often, when the game could have been had, he didn't pull the trigger. Late in the game, he had a couple of passes that should have been intercepted.

Mills remains an enigma. If you remember he's a rookie--and an inexperienced one at that--it's far from all bad. I just wouldn't bet the house that he'll end up an NFL starter after this year.

[lex24]

The HC turnover in the NFL is brutal.   Coaches in the NFL need to be ruthless on roster choices.   If a team really does not believe their QB can be above average, then that staff will need to make QB changes in the offseason just for a chance to keep their jobs.

Mills is a player that is now 0-6 or 0-7 as a starter.   There may be some QBs that are not winning a lot, but most have won at least a few games.  A GM that invests in a first round pick as a QB will do a lot more to make that pick work than a 3rd round pick they selected as a prudent emergency back-up option that is now winless after almost a half a season of action as the starter.

It's OK.  Mills can be a good QB, and a decent backup.   He got a chance, and looks like a viable backup.   The deck was stacked against him, but it is not quite working out for him to claim the starting job.  

The Texans' QB situation is rather unique.   They got stuck with a QB that became very toxic.  Going into the 2022 draft and the 2022 season, the Texans will need to get a new QB.   That should either be a 1st round draft pick or a free-agent.   In reality, if the GM and HC are not able to see that need then both will be out of a job in a few weeks and the next GM and/or HC will draft a QB in the first round.

Peyton Manning went 1-15 and threw an NFL record 28 interceptions.  Lawrence threw 4 yesterday. Wilson has been awful. Fields a little better, but generally bad. Mills was thought to be good enough that with one more year at Stanford he’d be a high first round pick.  

I dont  know who the top QBs are in the draft. But Houston doesn’t have the players to trade for a QB.  And they’d be crazy to trade draft picks for one.  As for an FA - you truly think JG or Carr is going to sign with Houston? 

If Mills plays decent down the stretch, he’s got a decent shot to start 22.  Houston can build up other areas and then decide if he’s the guy going forward. They certainly aren’t going to turn this around in a year.

[lex24]

The HC turnover in the NFL is brutal.   Coaches in the NFL need to be ruthless on roster choices.   If a team really does not believe their QB can be above average, then that staff will need to make QB changes in the offseason just for a chance to keep their jobs.

Mills is a player that is now 0-6 or 0-7 as a starter.   There may be some QBs that are not winning a lot, but most have won at least a few games.  A GM that invests in a first round pick as a QB will do a lot more to make that pick work than a 3rd round pick they selected as a prudent emergency back-up option that is now winless after almost a half a season of action as the starter.

It's OK.  Mills can be a good QB, and a decent backup.   He got a chance, and looks like a viable backup.   The deck was stacked against him, but it is not quite working out for him to claim the starting job.  

The Texans' QB situation is rather unique.   They got stuck with a QB that became very toxic.  Going into the 2022 draft and the 2022 season, the Texans will need to get a new QB.   That should either be a 1st round draft pick or a free-agent.   In reality, if the GM and HC are not able to see that need then both will be out of a job in a few weeks and the next GM and/or HC will draft a QB in the first round.

Peyton Manning went 1-15 and threw an NFL record 28 interceptions.  Lawrence threw 4 yesterday. Wilson has been awful. Fields a little better, but generally bad. Mills was thought to be good enough that with one more year at Stanford he’d be a high first round pick.  

I dont  know who the top QBs are in the draft. But Houston doesn’t have the players to trade for a QB.  And they’d be crazy to trade draft picks for one.  As for an FA - you truly think JG or Carr is going to sign with Houston? 

If Mills plays decent down the stretch, he’s got a decent shot to start 22.  Houston can build up other areas and then decide if he’s the guy going forward. They certainly aren’t going to turn this around in a year.

[BostonCard]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.

BC

[Phogge]

Lions, Jags, Houston all vying for the top pick. The Jags have their QB, the Lions have Goff. Since the Duck edge guy is universally considered the best player the Texans may have a tough decision to make with Pitt’s QB Pickett available.

[Phogge]

Lions, Jags, Houston all vying for the top pick. The Jags have their QB, the Lions have Goff. Since the Duck edge guy is universally considered the best player the Texans may have a tough decision to make with Pitt’s QB Pickett available.

[Austroturf]

I watched the Seahawks-Texans game yesterday; and Mills was extremely good early in the game, particularly on the first drive. He actually set a franchise record by going 14-14 before his first incompletion.  But his play deteriorated in the course of the game (19-35); and he became very inaccurate when the Texans were forced to play catch up.  

The Seahawks clearly made a few defensive adjustments that neutered the Texans' offense, and Houston was shut out in the second half.  Furthermore, it's a stretch to say that Mills outplayed Wilson: the Seahawks rushed for 130 yards more than the Texans, who were one-dimensional on offense.  Plus, Wilson had the higher QBR (92.8 to 26.8).  

Nonetheless, the commentators lauded Mills and his performance.  The skills are all there; he just needs more experience and some other pieces to come together (a better O-line, a more balanced offensive attack, etc.).

In some ways, his performance yesterday looked a bit like how he played vs. Notre Dame in 2019.  Strong start (up 17-7 with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter after TD passes to Tremayne and Wilson); but Notre Dame blocked a punt, scored, the offense stalled, and we only got one more TD in garbage time after trailing 38-17.  Final score: 45-24.  Mills even had a better QBR than Book; but that didn't help.  Another parallel to yesterday's game: ND had 190 yards rushing; we had 118.

[Austroturf]

I watched the Seahawks-Texans game yesterday; and Mills was extremely good early in the game, particularly on the first drive. He actually set a franchise record by going 14-14 before his first incompletion.  But his play deteriorated in the course of the game (19-35); and he became very inaccurate when the Texans were forced to play catch up.  

The Seahawks clearly made a few defensive adjustments that neutered the Texans' offense, and Houston was shut out in the second half.  Furthermore, it's a stretch to say that Mills outplayed Wilson: the Seahawks rushed for 130 yards more than the Texans, who were one-dimensional on offense.  Plus, Wilson had the higher QBR (92.8 to 26.8).  

Nonetheless, the commentators lauded Mills and his performance.  The skills are all there; he just needs more experience and some other pieces to come together (a better O-line, a more balanced offensive attack, etc.).

In some ways, his performance yesterday looked a bit like how he played vs. Notre Dame in 2019.  Strong start (up 17-7 with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter after TD passes to Tremayne and Wilson); but Notre Dame blocked a punt, scored, the offense stalled, and we only got one more TD in garbage time after trailing 38-17.  Final score: 45-24.  Mills even had a better QBR than Book; but that didn't help.  Another parallel to yesterday's game: ND had 190 yards rushing; we had 118.

[slide]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.



BC

agreed.  Mills is surrounded by a dismal team in Houston.



some supplementary data on Mills' versus other rookie QBs.



(4) Football Perspective on Twitter: "Davis Mills is now the #2 rookie QB in passer rating, TD/INT ratio, and ANY/A. https://t.co/LjALMnOLmF" / Twitter

[slide]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.



BC

agreed.  Mills is surrounded by a dismal team in Houston.



some supplementary data on Mills' versus other rookie QBs.



(4) Football Perspective on Twitter: "Davis Mills is now the #2 rookie QB in passer rating, TD/INT ratio, and ANY/A. https://t.co/LjALMnOLmF" / Twitter

[JohnVernon]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.



BC

agreed.  Mills is surrounded by a dismal team in Houston.



some supplementary data on Mills' versus other rookie QBs.



(4) Football Perspective on Twitter: "Davis Mills is now the #2 rookie QB in passer rating, TD/INT ratio, and ANY/A. https://t.co/LjALMnOLmF" / Twitter

[JohnVernon]

Yeah, Mills wasn’t perfect, but he outplayed Russell Wilson yesterday, which says a lot.  Mills might be in a situation similar to Luck in Indianapolis.  Houston may elect to keep him, but unless they supplement him with a line that can protect him, he will be screwed.



BC

agreed.  Mills is surrounded by a dismal team in Houston.



some supplementary data on Mills' versus other rookie QBs.



(4) Football Perspective on Twitter: "Davis Mills is now the #2 rookie QB in passer rating, TD/INT ratio, and ANY/A. https://t.co/LjALMnOLmF" / Twitter