Brady and Manning? Yes, Polian feels Mariota has the same intangible qualities as two of the all-time greats, and we should take Polian at his word. “We have to get him off his first checks and make him think a lot more in the pocket”.
This week’s lesson is simple: Don’t freak out over one game, particularly if it involves a rookie quarterback or two. This was the number 1 overall pick in the draft? His reward? A road matchup against one of the league’s best secondaries.
Marcus Mariota, TEN, at Cleveland: Speaking of potential letdowns, Mariota likely has nowhere to go but down after completing 13 of 16 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns in his National Football League debut. “But it’s not surprising, knowing what we know about the kid and how dedicated he is to the sport and how much he put into it and prepared”.
While Manziel looked frazzled in his first two starts a year ago, Mariota was superb. And he nearly had three: On this play, Mariota lost the ball, becoming a not-so-proud member of the “butt-fumble” club.
In other Mariota news, Titans quarterbacks coach John McNulty says he’s “one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve been around” in this piece for the Monday Morning QB.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the situation that I’m in”, Mariota said.
A scrambling quarterback before being a scrambling quarterback was cool, Tarkenton was a fresh-faced 21-year-old when he entered the first game in Minnesota Vikings history on September 17, 1961, against the Chicago Bears. The Browns wanted him, but the Titans wanted more than the 12th and 19th picks (which the Browns also owned) and the Browns werent willing to give up more than that. Both had the hometown crowd working with them last Sunday, and they stunk it up. “We have to continue to get better and not focus on stats.” via Jim Wyatt of Titansonline. “The only thing he’s going to worry about is the scoreboard”. “Adapting his talents to [the offensive system] he runs is the hallmark of a good coach”. Newly-acquired Terrance West rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries in place of Antonio Andrews, who was out with a strained hamstring. Cleveland native Avery Williamson starts at inside linebacker and was named the “unofficial leader” of the defense by Brown. “You are the best centerfielder I’ve ever seen”. “It’s going to be fun”.
McCown was said to be upset that he even was entered into concussion protocol. Cleveland’s offensive line didn’t open holes, and when it did create a space, Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson didn’t do much with them.
“I don’t think people are trying to fit square pegs in round holes”, Polian said.
On draft day earlier this year, both the Buccaneers and Titans knew that they would be picking players who would hopefully become their franchise quarterbacks, players they could really build around and finally make the push to become true playoff, and even Superbowl contenders. The Tennessee Titans ground game is averaging 124 yards per contest, and Bishop Sankey leads the way with 74 yards and a touchdown.
But in the case of this year’s Tennessee Titans, their performance last week has drawn local and national praise. He can throw the ball quickly, he gets set quick, and he is deadly accurate.
So while all eyes will be on Mariota again this week against the Browns, and probably will be for the remainder of his rookie season, it is worth a glance at the other players on the field as well to see how the remainder of this young roster is shaping up for 2015.