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Here's what the Houston Texans must avoid at all costs heading into next season
Jan 11, 2023, 5:59 pm
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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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.