Who blitzes in preseason anyway?
Apparently the Dallas Cowboys, who are going through their third defensive coordinator in as many seasons in former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn. The basis of Quinn’s multiple defense is to have a variety of ways to generate pressure on the quarterback, which naturally means blitzing.
Houston Texans rookie quarterback Davis Mills was appreciative of the Cowboys throwing the blitz at him in the team’s 20-14 win Saturday night at AT&T Stadium.
“It kind of settles you in the game a little when you are getting hit early on, unfortunately,” Mills said. “You don’t want to get hit as a quarterback. I think our offensive line and running backs did a good job in protection tonight.
“But like I said, it is nice when a team is bringing stuff early in the preseason, because we get a chance to look at it, to talk about it. We will see it on film and be a lot better next week.”
It makes sense that Mills would have this approach. After all, the Texans’ defense coached by new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith is all about generating pressure upfront without needing the blitz. Therefore, Mills doesn’t see it all that often.
The third-round pick from Stanford completed 10-of-16 for 115 passing yards. Mills will get another chance to see a different defense as the Texans host the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 28 at NRG Stadium for the preseason finale.