[CompSci87]

Successful outing today with the Texans. Mills passed for three TDs and a 2-point conversion, leading a last minute comeback to beat the Colts by 1. On the final drive he converted two 4th and long situations with long passes.

On the minus side, he did have two interceptions including a pick-6. The Colts QB had two interceptions as well.

Check out the highlights on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/VEe7YLhTz2Y

[CompSci87]

Successful outing today with the Texans. Mills passed for three TDs and a 2-point conversion, leading a last minute comeback to beat the Colts by 1. On the final drive he converted two 4th and long situations with long passes.

On the minus side, he did have two interceptions including a pick-6. The Colts QB had two interceptions as well.

Check out the highlights on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/VEe7YLhTz2Y

[BostonCard]

His play also coat the Texans the number 1 pick in the draft.

BC

[BostonCard]

His play also coat the Texans the number 1 pick in the draft.

BC

[needle]

Texans HC Lovie Smith fired, so I'm sure Mills will be working under a new OC....again.

(This year it was former Stanford assistant Pep Hamilton, who did not impress me. Hamilton was on the Texans staff in 2021 but not the coordinator.)

Here's to hoping--for Mills' sake, to be sure--it's with a different team. The Texans are bad news as an organization.

[needle]

Texans HC Lovie Smith fired, so I'm sure Mills will be working under a new OC....again.

(This year it was former Stanford assistant Pep Hamilton, who did not impress me. Hamilton was on the Texans staff in 2021 but not the coordinator.)

Here's to hoping--for Mills' sake, to be sure--it's with a different team. The Texans are bad news as an organization.

[Jamesy]

I'm not sure there's a viable path forward for mills to be a starter next year. Texans will likely draft a QB and I don't think he's shown enough this year to the point where a team will try to get him as their starter.

[Jamesy]

I'm not sure there's a viable path forward for mills to be a starter next year. Texans will likely draft a QB and I don't think he's shown enough this year to the point where a team will try to get him as their starter.

[Goose]

I'm not sure there's a viable path forward for mills to be a starter next year. Texans will likely draft a QB and I don't think he's shown enough this year to the point where a team will try to get him as their starter.

Mills has shown enough to conclude he is for sure a "premium" backup at least. He may be a competent starter but you are certainly correct he wouldn't be anybody's first choice at present. I can see a situation where he is traded, especially because the Texans are stupid. I can even imagine him being released. Most probably he is stuck there for two more years. Not a horrible way to make 5+ million dollars however.

[Goose]

I'm not sure there's a viable path forward for mills to be a starter next year. Texans will likely draft a QB and I don't think he's shown enough this year to the point where a team will try to get him as their starter.

Mills has shown enough to conclude he is for sure a "premium" backup at least. He may be a competent starter but you are certainly correct he wouldn't be anybody's first choice at present. I can see a situation where he is traded, especially because the Texans are stupid. I can even imagine him being released. Most probably he is stuck there for two more years. Not a horrible way to make 5+ million dollars however.

[SamuelMcF]

I think Mills is certainly good enough to be a "premium backup" and hang around the league a long time.

What really interested me is that he's tied for the league lead in interceptions at 15 for the season with Dak Prescott.

Think about this for a second. Prescott played 12 games so he actually leads in ints/game with 1.25. He's one of just a tiny handful of QBs with over 1 int/game, and his 1.25 is THE MOST IN THE LEAGUE (for starting QBs). That seems absolutely insane to me. Why is the league-"worst" starter in terms of interceptions...not even throwing that many?

[SamuelMcF]

I think Mills is certainly good enough to be a "premium backup" and hang around the league a long time.

What really interested me is that he's tied for the league lead in interceptions at 15 for the season with Dak Prescott.

Think about this for a second. Prescott played 12 games so he actually leads in ints/game with 1.25. He's one of just a tiny handful of QBs with over 1 int/game, and his 1.25 is THE MOST IN THE LEAGUE (for starting QBs). That seems absolutely insane to me. Why is the league-"worst" starter in terms of interceptions...not even throwing that many?

[TriangleTree]

I think Mills is certainly good enough to be a "premium backup" and hang around the league a long time.

What really interested me is that he's tied for the league lead in interceptions at 15 for the season with Dak Prescott.

Think about this for a second. Prescott played 12 games so he actually leads in ints/game with 1.25. He's one of just a tiny handful of QBs with over 1 int/game, and his 1.25 is THE MOST IN THE LEAGUE (for starting QBs). That seems absolutely insane to me. Why is the league-"worst" starter in terms of interceptions...not even throwing that many?

That surprises me as well, I would have expected that number to be higher.

On Mills, agree that he's easily proven he's an NFL quarterback even if not an elite one (at least not yet). Hopefully he can get on a situation like that of Foles with the Eagles or Purdy with the 9ers and prove his worth. 

On his INTs, have been watching him quite a bit and at least 4 or 5 on those are on crazy hail Mary passes that would never be thrown on a better team. Most of them didn't end up like the one on Sunday against the Colts.

[TriangleTree]

I think Mills is certainly good enough to be a "premium backup" and hang around the league a long time.

What really interested me is that he's tied for the league lead in interceptions at 15 for the season with Dak Prescott.

Think about this for a second. Prescott played 12 games so he actually leads in ints/game with 1.25. He's one of just a tiny handful of QBs with over 1 int/game, and his 1.25 is THE MOST IN THE LEAGUE (for starting QBs). That seems absolutely insane to me. Why is the league-"worst" starter in terms of interceptions...not even throwing that many?

That surprises me as well, I would have expected that number to be higher.

On Mills, agree that he's easily proven he's an NFL quarterback even if not an elite one (at least not yet). Hopefully he can get on a situation like that of Foles with the Eagles or Purdy with the 9ers and prove his worth. 

On his INTs, have been watching him quite a bit and at least 4 or 5 on those are on crazy hail Mary passes that would never be thrown on a better team. Most of them didn't end up like the one on Sunday against the Colts.

[jonnyss]

i think mills looks good in this video of this weekend's game. very good poise and movement in the pocket to avoid rushers. nice crisp passes.

also kind of funny that his heroic win makes it harder for the texans to replace him by taking away the #1 draft pick.

link

[jonnyss]

i think mills looks good in this video of this weekend's game. very good poise and movement in the pocket to avoid rushers. nice crisp passes.

also kind of funny that his heroic win makes it harder for the texans to replace him by taking away the #1 draft pick.

link

[TonyLima]

Those of a certain age will remember Rich Kelley, basketball.  He played a few years in the NBA.  When interviewed during his retirement year, he said, "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career."  Mills could do a lot worse than being a backup.  Especially in the NFL where second-string qbs have a pretty good chance of playing quite a lot.  As long as the guy in front of him isn't named Brady or Rodgers.

[TonyLima]

Those of a certain age will remember Rich Kelley, basketball.  He played a few years in the NBA.  When interviewed during his retirement year, he said, "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career."  Mills could do a lot worse than being a backup.  Especially in the NFL where second-string qbs have a pretty good chance of playing quite a lot.  As long as the guy in front of him isn't named Brady or Rodgers.

[BobK]

Kelley played 11 years. :). Saw him recently

[BobK]

Kelley played 11 years. :). Saw him recently

[82lsju]

the backup QB with a long career that I remember was Don Strock, played forever for the Dolphins

[82lsju]

the backup QB with a long career that I remember was Don Strock, played forever for the Dolphins

[Goose]

Those of a certain age will remember Rich Kelley, basketball.  He played a few years in the NBA.  When interviewed during his retirement year, he said, "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career."  Mills could do a lot worse than being a backup.  Especially in the NFL where second-string qbs have a pretty good chance of playing quite a lot.  As long as the guy in front of him isn't named Brady or Rodgers.

Second string QBs also make pretty good money too. Not a bad way to make a living and there is an upside if you are good enough.

[Goose]

Those of a certain age will remember Rich Kelley, basketball.  He played a few years in the NBA.  When interviewed during his retirement year, he said, "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career."  Mills could do a lot worse than being a backup.  Especially in the NFL where second-string qbs have a pretty good chance of playing quite a lot.  As long as the guy in front of him isn't named Brady or Rodgers.

Second string QBs also make pretty good money too. Not a bad way to make a living and there is an upside if you are good enough.

[DaBears17]

also kind of funny that his heroic win makes it harder for the texans to replace him by taking away the #1 draft pick.

Chicago Bears fans are very grateful that Lovie and Mills got them the #1 draft pick.

[DaBears17]

also kind of funny that his heroic win makes it harder for the texans to replace him by taking away the #1 draft pick.

Chicago Bears fans are very grateful that Lovie and Mills got them the #1 draft pick.

[Phogge]

One of the best backups ever was Earl Morrall, a former #1 pick of the Niners. Then the next year they took Brodie and Morrall left.

The Niners had a bunch who played key roles... Young, Garcia, Bono, Cavanaugh, Kemp...

Demico Ryans or Harballs in Houston?

[Phogge]

One of the best backups ever was Earl Morrall, a former #1 pick of the Niners. Then the next year they took Brodie and Morrall left.

The Niners had a bunch who played key roles... Young, Garcia, Bono, Cavanaugh, Kemp...

Demico Ryans or Harballs in Houston?

[TonyLima]

the backup QB with a long career that I remember was Don Strock, played forever for the Dolphins

George Blanda.

[TonyLima]

the backup QB with a long career that I remember was Don Strock, played forever for the Dolphins

George Blanda.

[cardcrimson]

One of the best backups ever was Earl Morrall, a former #1 pick of the Niners. 

Yeah, right up until Super Bowl III. As a young Colts and Johnny U fan, that was a tough day. . . .

[cardcrimson]

One of the best backups ever was Earl Morrall, a former #1 pick of the Niners. 

Yeah, right up until Super Bowl III. As a young Colts and Johnny U fan, that was a tough day. . . .

[fullmetal]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

[fullmetal]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

[Goose]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

There you go again. Assuming Houston is capable of rational action.

[Goose]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

There you go again. Assuming Houston is capable of rational action.

[TonyLima]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

There you go again. Assuming Houston is capable of rational action.

Or any of another dozen teams.

[TonyLima]

Is QB really a place where Houston needs improvement more than, say, OL?  Dameon Pierce seems to be a talent that the Texans should build around...coincidentally, that could lift Mills' game too.  A good WR pick would help alongside Cooks too.

There you go again. Assuming Houston is capable of rational action.

Or any of another dozen teams.

[PVTree]

I think of Gary Kubiak, Elway's longtime backup. He learned so much watching the game on the sidelines that he was able to go into coaching with that much knowledge.

[PVTree]

I think of Gary Kubiak, Elway's longtime backup. He learned so much watching the game on the sidelines that he was able to go into coaching with that much knowledge.