(SportsRadio 610) - Growing up in Atlanta, Davis Mills was 10 when the Falcons selected Matt Ryan with the first overall pick in the 2008 draft.
Mills was a senior in high school on his way to Stanford in 2016 when Ryan was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.
Mills and Ryan will be on opposite sidelines Sunday at NRG Stadium, where the Texans and Colts kick off the regular season. The quarterbacks are under a lot of pressure this season for different reasons.
Mills, 23, is trying to prove he can become the Texans’ franchise quarterback who can lead their rebuild, and, eventually, help them return to the playoffs.
Ryan, 37, is trying to prove the last of his 14 seasons with the Falcons was an aberration and not a sign that his talent has diminished and he’s nearing the end of what’s been an outstanding career.
As a rookie forced into the starting lineup last season after Tyrod Taylor was injured, Mills started 11 games and finished with 2,664 yards, a 66.8 completion percentage, 16 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and an 88.8 rating.
Playing with the 7-10 Falcons, who had a roster depleted of talented skill position players other than rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, Ryan threw for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His rating was 90.4, his lowest since 2015.
With a bloated salary cap figure, the Falcons determined Ryan had to go. They found a buyer in the Colts, sending him to Indianapolis for a third-round draft choice.
Coach Frank Reich has a new starting quarterback for a fifth consecutive season. Ryan follows Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz. Reich and general manager Chris Ballard – not to mention owner Jim Irsay – believe Ryan’s career will be rejuvenated.
“I think you always have something to prove,” Ryan told Indianapolis reporters this week. “I think when you lose that, maybe it’s time to be done. For me, I’ve always felt that way. I certainly feel like I have a lot to prove. This team has a lot to prove, and the games are our opportunities to do that.
“I feel like my motivation is as strong as it’s ever been, and I’m just excited to get started.”
Mills has some motivation, too. He and his teammates are still haunted by the Colts blowing them out 31-3 and 31-0 last season when Wentz bombarded them. If Wentz had played every game last season as well as he played against the Texans, he’d still be starting for the Colts rather than Washington.
“You’ve got to look back to last year,” Mills said about getting clobbered two times in the AFC South series. “We’ve got to come back (and) make it feel right again and win a game (Sunday).
“I wouldn’t say (it’s a) revenge game, but hold a little bit of a grudge so you can play fast on Sunday. I’m ready to change the outcome.”
Mills has a new head coach (Lovie Smith), a new play-caller (Pep Hamilton) and a new running back (Dameon Pierce), so expectations are higher than last season. Smith and Hamilton hope he picks up where he left off last year when, over the last five games, Mills accumulated 1,258 yards, connected on 68.4 percent, threw nine touchdown passes, suffered two interceptions and compiled a 102.4 rating.
At this time last year, Mills was a backup who was forced into the lineup when Taylor was injured in the second game. Now he knows he’s the starter.
“When you didn’t know you were starting last year, you still needed to prepare as the starter,” Mills said. “On that term, nothing has changed. I’m still working as hard as I did.
“You’re in that position this year, so there’s a lot thrown at you, a lot more you have to do for your teammates so they can count on you. I’m ready for the opportunity and ready to see what we can do on Sunday.”
While Mills is beginning the season as a starter for the first time, Ryan is in this role for a 15th season. He’s blessed with the NFL’s leading rusher in Jonathan Taylor, a go-to receiver in Michael Pittman and a terrific offensive line.
Beginning with the Texans, Ryan is under pressure to produce.
“There’s a lot of attention whether you want it or not, and I’ve always felt like you have to embrace it,” Ryan said. “There’s responsibility that comes with playing this position and an understanding of all that goes along with it.
“At this point in my career, I’m probably better served than ever to be able to handle all the things that go with it. But as far as pressure, I feel really good. I feel like we’ve got a good team. There’s lots of guys on this team that can make plays. I’m excited about this group.”
Because he’s a veteran who’s been an MVP and has played in a Super Bowl, more is expected of Ryan this season. He needs to ignite a return to the playoffs and compete with Tennessee for the AFC South title.
As for Mills, early in the season, at least, his coaches want to see consistent improvement.
“The biggest thing I want to emphasize this season is quick decision-making and protecting the football,” Mills said. “If I’m able to spread the ball around efficiently to my playmakers on the edge and limit turnovers, I think it gives us a chance to win every game. We have a lot to work with (and) it’s going to be fun.
“Everyone has bought into what we want to do here. We want to be a winning franchise, and everyone (wants) to do what they can to sacrifice and have that person next to them rely on them to do their job. We’re excited to play and have fun winning games together.”
The Texans are decisive underdogs to Ryan and the Colts, as they should be, but if Mills could help them shock the NFL with a stunning upset, it could be a case of out with the old and in with the new.
Related
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He also can be read three times a week on GallerySports.com.