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Here's what the Houston Texans must avoid at all costs heading into next season

Here's what the Houston Texans must avoid at all costs heading into next season
Moving on from Davis Mills would be best for both parties involved. Composite image by Jack Brame.

The Texans have secured the number two overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft coming up in April. Fans and some media members are upset that they “failed to lose” and secure the number one overall pick. The only thing they “lost” was the ability to control each round by picking first. The need for a franchise quarterback didn't vanish. The reason the Texans require a franchise quarterback is that the guy they tried to give a shot to didn't take the reins of the job. Davis Mills thinks otherwise:

Mr. Mills, have several seats sir! Not only do I not want Mills back as the potential starter or competition for the incoming rookie, but I also don't want him around as the backup! A better idea is to get rid of him and find a veteran who can mentor the rookie. What will Mills offer him? How to skip a seven-yard out route? How to complete a post flag throw to the strength coach on the bench?

Seriously, Mills has not shown the ability to be a competent NFL quarterback on a regular basis. Did he have a talent deficiency around him? Yes. He also failed to instill any confidence in his abilities. Why else would Jeff Driskel, the guy they moved to tight end then back to quarterback, get playing time? I saw one too many skipped passes and overthrows for me to feel confident in him moving forward. His completion percentage dropped almost six percent from his rookie year to last year (66.8% to 61%). Quarterbacks nowadays need to hover around 65% or better to be considered good.

I know this opinion will upset some Mills truthers who believe this guy should get a fair shake. Truth is, no one gets a fair shake in the NFL. Things will go wrong. Injuries will happen. Talent and God-given abilities will fade. Organizations will be poorly run. The one constant in all those situations: talent will prevail. If you're good at football, that'll stick out in a sea of sore thumbs. Mills looks like any old average quarterback a team can draft late or sign off the street.

The number two overall pick will more than likely be the team's next franchise quarterback. He will need all the help and support to make him successful. I suggest bringing in a vet who has experience in the new offensive coordinator's system. That way, the rookie will have a guy in the room that can help him learn the offense, and the team will have a guy that can run said offense should the rookie get hurt. Let Mills go find another team that he can compete for the backup role on. I don't see a future here in Houston, and I pray that the Texans feel the same way.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.

Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.

The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.

Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.

Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.

Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.

Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.

Key moment

Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.

Key Stat

Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.

Up next

Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.

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