Tag: davis mills

Texans fans react to Davis Mills replacing C.J. Stroud for a play against the Cardinals

Houston Texans fans took a trip down memory lane for one play, and it was met with mixed reactions. Well, not before undergoing the psychological horror of watching your fantastic rookie quarterback seemingly knocked out of the game. C.J. Stroud …

Houston Texans fans took a trip down memory lane for one play, and it was met with mixed reactions.

Well, not before undergoing the psychological horror of watching your fantastic rookie quarterback seemingly knocked out of the game. C.J. Stroud exited the game with the Arizona Cardinals following a sack with 13:04 to go in the third quarter Sunday at NRG Stadium. Replacing Stroud was backup Davis Mills, whose 5-19-1 record over the past two seasons is what helped Stroud come to Houston in the first place.

Texans fans had feelings of fear seeing Mills drop back for old times sake and also relief of seeing Stroud return to the game. Here are some of the best reactions.

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Rams should make a last-minute move for Texans QB Davis Mills

On trade deadline day in the NFL, the Rams need make make a move. Here’s why Les Snead should go after Texans QB Davis Mills.

With Matthew Stafford currently listed as day-to-day with a thumb injury, the Rams have been calling around for some quarterback help. Brett Rypien is the current backup but he could be called into service if Stafford isn’t good to go. With rookie backup Stetson Bennett being away from the team and former Rams quarterback John Wolford electing to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Rams need a new quarterback. With the NFL’s trade deadline coming at day’s end, it’s time Les Snead makes an eleventh-hour move for Texans QB Davis Mills.

Mills is a victim of time and circumstance. A five-star prospect coming out of Georgia, he beat out K.J. Costello for the starting job at Stanford in his redshirt sophomore year. The problem was that he played during the worst era of David Shaw’s tenure and thus he wasn’t exposed to the nation like Cardinal players in years past.

He decided to not extend his time in college because of this and some other factors, opting to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. The QB-loaded draft saw Mills fall to the third round. Had he gone the following year, not only could Mills have been the highest-selected QB in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he might’ve gone first overall.

However, that is then and this is now. The Texans decided that with a new head coach in DeMeco Ryans, they would also reset the clock on their QB with C.J. Stroud. Stroud is off to a hot start this year and when he eventually breaks all of the Texans’ rookie QB records, you will find that some of those records belong to Mills.

Mills shocked people in his first two years in the league. With two different head coaches and a front office oozing dysfunction, Mills put up a career completion percentage of 63.6, over 5,700 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. He did throw 25 interceptions but since he consistently had to play hero ball in an offense full of average players, it’s bound to happen.

Now, Mills is in the third year of his rookie deal, wasting away on the Houston bench. Two things have become evident for the Rams: Stafford’s time in the NFL may be running out faster than we would have hoped and the Rams have no true backup/replacement for him. Mills could be that guy.

Mills possesses the arm talent, intelligence and resume to be a star in Sean McVay’s offense. He is cheap to acquire and to have on the books contract-wise. He’s healthy, he wants to play and he has overachieved since the moment he came into the league. If the Rams want to get serious in 2023, Mills is the perfect place to start.

11 QBs Vikings can acquire after Kirk Cousins’ torn Achilles

With the trade deadline looming, the Vikings could make a trade to acquire a quarterback

The Minnesota Vikings saw their season take a major blow this past Sunday as quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly tore his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings are riding high on a three-game winning streak, but not having their starting quarterback with how the team is structured is heartbreaking and could crater the season.

There are multiple options that the Vikings could take and they start in-house. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins on the field Sunday afternoon and is the likely option moving forward. There is also Nick Mullens who can return from injured reserve next week against the Atlanta Falcons.

If they don’t like either of those two options, they can try and trade for someone at the trade deadline, which is Halloween. There aren’t going to be many teams who will want to trade a quarterback at the end of October, but its not unprecedented.

It’s slim pickings for a position that is very shallow but there are options available. Here are 11 quarterbacks that the Vikings could acquire after the unfortunate injury to Cousins.

Texans vs. Colts live blog: 31-20 Colts, FINAL

Here is how to catch all of the action between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts for Week 2.

The Houston Texans gave their fans optimism despite the Week 1 loss. Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t look shaken or stirred by the Baltimore Ravens defense in his first career start.

The optimism is tainted as the No. 2 overall pick is questionable for the Week 2 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts and No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.

Is it already Davis Mills time again in Houston?

How to watch

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans — Sunday, Sept. 17, 12:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: KRIV-TV

Live stream: FuboTV

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Forecast: Sunny, 87 degrees, 6 mph wind (indoors)

Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)

Pregame

Good news: Stroud is playing. Bad news: LT Laremy Tunsil will not.

First quarter

15:00 — The Colts get the ball first as K Ka’imi Fairbairn boots the opening kickoff for a touchback.

10:49 — QB Anthony Richardson rushes for an 18-yard touchdown. K Matt Gay hits the extra point. Indianapolis goes 75 yards in 10 plays to start the game. 7-0, Colts

9:04 — On a third-and-5 from the Texans’ 23-yard line, Stroud takes a sack. The officials initially ruled down by contact as to whether or not Stroud lost the football. However, Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen threw his challenge flag and the play is under review.

9:18 — It doesn’t take but one play as Richardson rushes for a 15-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 14-0, Colts

3:19 — Stroud finally throws his first career touchdown, and naturally it would have an Ohio State-Michigan flair to it as WR Nico Collins hauled in the 8-yard pass. Fairbairn’s extra point is good. 14-7, Colts

2:23 — The Texans defense gets a stop as Richardson’s pass for TE Kylen Granson falls incomplete on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28.

1:26 — Stroud is sacked for a 9-yard loss on third-and-7 from the Texans’ 37.

Second quarter

14:24 — On a third-and-20 from the Colts’ 22-yard line, Indianapolis commits illegal formation. The Texans wisely decline to end the Colts’ drive and force a punt.

12:45 — QB Gardner Minshew is in the game for the Colts as Richardson is in the blue medical tent.

9:47 — RB Zack Moss rushes for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 21-7, Colts

7:06 — The Texans had a good one on third-and-3 from the Colts’ 30 as Stroud hit Collins for a 28-yard pass down to the Indianapolis 2. However, OT Josh Jones was not on the line of scrimmage; illegal formation.

6:41 — Houston responds as Stroud hits WR Robert Woods for a 19-yard gain up to the Colts’ 16.

4:33 — Stroud can’t connect with TE Dalton Schultz on third-and-5 from the Colts’ 11.

4:25 — Houston sends Fairbairn out for a 29-yard field goal. 21-10, Colts

0:15 — Minshew throws a pass to Granson that is short of the goal line. However, the Replay Official reviewed the line to gain as it was inside two minutes. Ruling on the field was overturned, and it was ruled a touchdown. Extra point is good. 28-10, Colts

Halftime

Stats

TEXANS

Stroud: 8/15, 110 yards, TD

Dameon Pierce: 10 carries, 26 yards

Nico Collins: 3 catches, 60 yards, TD

 

COLTS

Richardson: 6/10, 56 yards; 3 carries, 35 yards 2 TDs

Minshew: 11/13, 114 yards, TD

Zack Moss: 10 carries, 54 yards, TD; 3 carries, 16 yards

Will Mallory: 2 catches, 49 yards

 

Third quarter

13:46 — Facing a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Stroud hits Woods for 20 yards on a third-and-13 from the Houston 22.

11:38 — Stroud sneaks for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Colts’ 49, but the ball came out and the TV advertisers win as the Colts recover an alleged fumble for a touchdown. It didn’t matter as the Colts had 12 men on the field anyway.

9:58 — On a third-and-12 from the Colts’ 46-yard line, Stroud throws a screen to Pierce that loses five yards.

7:15 — CB Derek Stingley was injured on the play.

5:54 — Gay hits a 42-yard field goal. 31-10, Colts

2:33 — While the game may be a reminder of the past three seasons, here is evidence of the Stroud effect. Collins catches a 25-yard pass on second-and-10 from the Houston 49. That catch pushes Collins to five catches for a career high 105 yards.

0:27 — Pierce gets stuffed on first-and-goal from the 2. OT George Fant is injured on the play.

Fourth quarter

14:11 — A touchdown between Stroud and WR Tank Dell is nullified due to a hold by Jones. On an ensuing third-and-goal from the 12, Stroud is sacked.

13:27 — Houston settles for a Fairbairn field goal of 36 yards. 31-13, Colts

11:57 — Minshew hits WR Michael Pittman for a 6-yard gain on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28. Indianapolis gets dinged with ineligible man downfield anyway.

9:54 — Stroud hits Dell for a 23-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 31-20, Colts

4:12 — Collins caught a 32-yard pass, which gives him six catches for 137 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.

2:44 — DT Kurt Hinish has a false start on a blocked field goal attempt. Fairbairn’s try from 51 yards is no good.

0:00 — Houston falls to the Colts for the first time since 2021. The Texans are 0-2 for the first time since 2020. Coverage continues on Texans Wire.

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C.J. Stroud on winning over Texans’ locker room as a rookie: ‘I think that means a little more’

C.J. Stroud reflected on winning over the #Texans’ locker room in his comments to the media on Sunday.

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has never run from competition when it came to the game he has loved since he was a kid. He embraces it and wants to prove to his coaches that he deserves to be under center when the game starts.

During his redshirt freshman At Ohio State, he was in a fierce quarterback battle with three other players, including Quinn Ewers, who had reclassified to play in the Spring for the Buckeyes with a chance to be the starter when the season started.

All four quarterbacks were looking to replace Justin Fields, whom the Chicago Bears had drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day took his time evaluating all his quarterbacks before eventually naming Stroud as the starter in the season opener against the Minnesota Gophers.

After being drafted by the Texans with the No.2 selection in this year’s draft, Stroud had to repeat the process he had at Ohio State all over again as head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio did not want to name a regular-season starter, allowing third-year quarterback Davis Mills to retain his starting position.

On Sunday, Ryans made it official after the final preseason game that Stroud would be the starter in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Winning quarterback battles is easy for the talented 21-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California. It is capturing the locker room as a rookie that means more to Stroud than anything.

“Honestly, I think that means a little more,” said Stroud about being recognized as a leader in the locker room. “Something about football, I think everything kind of happens naturally. Like either you’re going to play good, or you’re not. Whatever is going to happen happens. But locker rooms, those are where bonds and brotherhood and things that really mean something to me happen.”

“And I mean, I just came in and was myself and think guys gravitated towards me and got to hang out with a lot of dudes off the field in the locker room and do some things that were awesome group bonding, and I definitely think that’s what makes football special. You got so many dudes from different walks of life to come together to play this amazing sport, and all of us to be in the locker room and sharing the same name. That’s special, man, because it’s hard to do. I don’t think there is any other profession that does that at our scale and has to trust on seeing other guys do their jobs.”

Trust has been the most vital characteristic trait that Stroud has exuded in the locker room and on the field. His teammates have picked up on it from his arrival, and it has carried over throughout training camp and the preseason. Especially his wide receivers, who have developed continuity with him over the few months they have worked together.

“Growth,” said third-year wide receiver Nico Collins about Stroud after the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. “Each day, he is just growing. We are all doing it step-by-step we are all growing as an offense, as a unit, and as a team. We just feel that energy; we are there for each other and can’t wait for the season.”

Texans club Saints 17-13: See best social media reactions

Take a look at some of the best reactions from social media following the Houston Texans’ 17-13 win over the New Orleans Saints.

The Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints 17-13 Sunday night at Caesars Superdome to close out the preseason.

The Texans conclude the exhibition phase with a 2-1 record under new coach DeMeco Ryans. That all gets wiped clean as the Texans turn the page to the regular season.

However, the mood was festive in the Big Easy. The Texans were finally able to celebrate a C.J. Stroud touchdown. The defense came up with two interceptions late in the fourth quarter. Even if it was preseason, the optimism was palpable.

Here are some of the best social media reactions from the Texans’ third preseason game.

Texans vs. Saints live blog: 17-13 Houston, FINAL

Follow along for live updates as the Houston Texans conclude preseason against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.

The Houston Texans finish up preseason against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome Sunday night.

Initially the Texans and Saints were going to have joint practices ahead of the exhibition contest, but Houston and New Orleans felt the clash of rosters was superfluous at this juncture in camp.

How to watch

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints — Sunday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: Fox 26 (KRIV-TV)

Live stream: FuboTV

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Forecast: Forecast: Partly cloudy, 91 degrees, 8 mph wind (indoors)

Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)

Pregame

First quarter

15:00 — New Orleans starts on offense.

12:16 — The Texans force QB Jameis Winston to throw incomplete on a third-and-5 from the 50-yard line.

12:12 — New Orleans’ punt lands as a touchback. Houston will start first-and-10 at their own 20.

11:20 — On a third-and-7 from the Houston 23, QB C.J. Stroud sends a ball deep left for WR Robert Woods that falls incomplete.

10:51 — Winston throws deep left incomplete on a third-and-10 from the Saints’ 31-yard line.

7:22 — Stroud throws a 3-yard touchdown to WR Nico Collins. Extra point is good. 7-0, Texans

5:45 — QB Davis Mills enters the game. Stroud’s night is done: 2-of-4 for 16 yards and a touchdown.

Second quarter

14:25 — Winston throws a 3-yard touchdown pass to TE Jimmy Graham. Extra point is good. 7-7

1:53 — K Ka’imi Fairbairn hits a 28-yard field goal. 10-7, Texans

Halftime

12:53 — The Texans drive 17 yards in four plays to take 2:07 off the clock to start the third quarter. Mills was still in at quarterback for the drive.

6:30 — K Blake Grupe kicks a 38-yard field goal. 10-10

6:18 — QB E.J. Perry comes in for the Texans. Mills night finished as he went 6-11 for 53 yards.

2:29 — RB Mike Boone rushes for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 17-10, Texans

Fourth quarter

9:08 — Grupe 50-yard field goal is good. 17-13, Texans

4:42 — It’s the preseason. Why not? The Saints send Grupe for a 60-yard field goal that is wide right, no good.

2:00 — S Grayland Arnold picks off Saints QB Jake Haener in the end zone. That should wrap up the preseason as New Orleans just has two timeouts left.

0:55 — CB Cameron Dantzler gets an interception as well. A couple kneel-downs from Perry should do it this time.

0:00 — The preseason is over. Who will be named the Texans’ starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens?

Texans Wire Podcast: WR Tank Dell shines in preseason debut for Houston

Houston Texans WR Tank Dell showed the goods as @johnhcrumpler and @patrickstormhtx breakdown the first preseason game.

The Houston Texans defeated the New England Patriots 20-9 on Thursday for their first preseason victory under rookie coach DeMeco Ryans. It was an up-and-down start for Houston’s new football era that previewed some of the skeleton that will form the team this upcoming season.

On the Texans Wire’s “Another Texans Podcast” Cohosts John Crumpler and Patrick Storm took time to breakdown the victory over New England. They cover the rocky performance from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and how it compared to third-year quarterback Davis Mills. Additionally, they wonder just how big Tank Dell’s role may be on offense and just how troubling additional offensive line injuries could look.

On the defensive side, the two remain extremely excited about inside linebacker Henry To’oTo’o and what his emergence could mean for the defense. Overall, they also discuss the energy and strategy that Ryans has brought to the unit during his first season.

You can find the show on YouTube or listen to the audio recording on Spotify, Apple Music, or anywhere you find your podcasts.

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Texans WR Tank Dell provided glimpse against the Patriots

Houston Texans rookie receiver Tank Dell demonstrated against the New England Patriots the type of talent he can bring to the passing attack.

The first preseason game meant a lot to the Houston Texans 2023 rookie class, who had an opportunity to get some NFL reps for the first time in their career.

While most individuals had their eyes on quarterback C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, who were selected back-to-back in this year’s draft, one other player was out to prove that he also belonged on the field.

Former Houston receiver Tank Dell had an outstanding preseason debut against the New England Patriots, finishing with a game-high 65 yards on five receptions. It took him a couple of reps to get himself acclimated to the environment around him, but once he did, he showed why the Texans were so high on him after picking him in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.

Late in the second quarter, Dell found a soft spot in the Patriots’ zone and took a Davis Mills pass 24 yards into New England territory. Seven plays later, with 16 seconds left in the first half, he made a spectacular touchdown catch where his concentration was required to catch the ball that was about to hit the ground and ensure his body stayed in bounds for the score.

“Yeah, he’s great, electrifying,” said Mills about Dell’s performance. “I think that’s the best way to describe him. He’s going to make guys miss in tight windows, and when he catches a short pass, he’s going to try to score anywhere he gets it on the field.”

Stroud’s sideline view of Dell echoed Mills’ sentiments towards the former NCAA leader in receiving yards (1,398) and touchdowns (17) in his last season at UH.

“That’s just a glimpse of what he can do,” said Stroud, who only played in two series on Thursday night. “He’s showed so much already in camp. “That play was a great release, good ball by Davis, back shoulder, and it was good focus because it always is different when you’re out there. It’s not going to just be catch, touchdown. It’s going to be bang-bang. He kept with it, which I’m really happy for him, and yeah, he made a lot of good plays. He’s a great player. I can’t wait to see what we do together.”

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Twitter reacts to the Texans’ 20-9 preseason win over the Patriots

The Houston Texans beat the New England Patriots 20-9 in the first week of preseason, and Twitter was full of takes.

The Houston Texans beat the New England Patriots Thursday night at Gillette Stadium to earn their first preseason win of 2023.

The Texans got the first victory for new coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-9 performance.

However, the Texans could have lost 100-0 for all anyone really cared. The biggest piece of the game was the first two offensive series with C.J. Stroud under center.

The No. 2 overall pick showed he still has room to grow. The rest of the Texans showcased their skills and other areas for improvement.

Here are some of the best reactions found on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.