Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton is very involved with the quarterbacks throughout the 60 minutes of game time.
The 20-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys Saturday night at AT&T Stadium was no different. Hamilton was coaching up quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, rookie Davis Mills, and Jeff Driskel.
Hamilton was involved throughout the game, the Mills revealed to reporters after the win what it is Hamilton constantly talks about.
“A big thing we have worked on is just staying loaded at all times in the pocket, so whenever something pops, we are able to get the ball out in a split second,” said Mills, who completed 10-of-16 for 115 yards in the win. “And then, a lot of the stuff he does on game days is just making sure we are prepared for everything the defense is showing us.”
In addition to preaching his message, Hamilton is also prepping the quarterback for the next drive.
Said Mills: “We are coming back to the sidelines and talking through looks, and he is just getting us for the next drive and making sure we are on top of everything.”
Mills has played two preseason games, both of them wins, and he has followed Taylor, who has started every game at quarterback. The bulk of the snaps have gone to Mills.
While Mills can’t reveal where his progression is in terms of a percentage or a ranking, he can reveal his mindset.
“I still feel like my whole mindset going forward is getting better each day,” said Mills. It’s something Coach [David] Culley talks about a lot. Just putting your head down, execute your job and get one percent better each day.”
Mills didn’t throw an interception as he did in the first preseason win at the Green Bay Packers. Given the rookie protected the football, that certainly counts as improvement.