San Diego Chargers: Marcus Mariota not a good fit

Approximately one decade ago in the 2004 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers and New York Giants switched draft picks in one of the most infamous moves in draft history with University of Mississippi QB Eli Manning and North Carolina State University QB Philip Rivers.

The Chargers had the number one pick in the draft and due to Eli Manning’s reluctance, the Bolts ended up with the supposed-to-be number four pick Philip Rivers.

To this day Philip Rivers has yet to win a Lombardi Trophy, while Eli Manning comfortably has two Super Bowl rings of his own sitting at home.

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In hindsight, we would love to say that the Chargers should have selected Eli Manning or that they should have gone with Ben Roethlisberger (taken later that same draft). However, I think that Rivers is due for success in the coming years, especially with the team that Telesco and the Chargers front office has arranged.

The proposed ideas from many around the sporting world have Mariota going to the Chargers in place of Philip Rivers presence in Tennessee (via a trade).

Before we start, I must say that Marcus Mariota is the best QB in this draft and arguably one of the best overall players.

A three-year starter, Mariota won the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien National QB Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2014. He was also selected as Walter Camp Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, Walter Camp first-team All-America and Associated Press first-team All-American as well as Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and 2015 Rose Bowl Offensive MVP.

According to Mariota’s draft profile on NFL.com, “as a redshirt sophomore in 2013, [Mariota] was a Manning Award finalist and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (college player of the year), the Davey O’Brien Award (national quarterback award) and the Walter Camp Award (most outstanding player).

In 2012 as a redshirt freshman, he was honorable mention All-American and Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, becoming the league’s first freshman quarterback to earn first-team all-league honors in 23 years. At Saint Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, was rated the No. 12 quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com.”

During his senior season at Oregon which earned him numerous awards and recognition, Mariota threw for an amazing 4,454 yards, 42 touchdowns and a 68.3% completion with just four interceptions. As well, Mariota rushed for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns on 135 carries (5.7 yards per carry).

And although he didn’t win the national championship, Mariota still proved to be the nation’s best QB and most deserving Heisman winner. Unlike Jameis Winston who has shown signs of regression in his college career (in terms of interceptions), Mariota has been on a consistent upswing in his college career, going from a 2,000-yard passer to a 4,000-yard passer in the span of three years.

Marcus Mariota could be the next big thing in the NFL, but not for the San Diego Chargers.

From places such as ProFootballTalk.com, ESPN.com and the San Diego Union-Tribune, there are people predicting (advocating, really) for Mariota to end up in a Charger uniform in 2015. Current Chargers QB Philip Rivers is 33 years old and has reached the pinnacle of his career.

In the past five seasons, the Chargers have been to the playoffs just one time while Rivers has thrown for an average of 4,340.8 yards, 29.2 touchdowns and 15.4 interceptions. Take those numbers as you will, but Rivers also has been sacked an average of 36.6 times per season, leaving him in a pretty vulnerable state of passing if you ask me.

Fortunately, Rivers has remained relatively healthy in his career (knock on wood), however, it all can change in an instant and I don’t believe that back-ups Brad Sorenson nor Kellen Clemens. But, at the same time, you have to remember the Chargers real needs in this draft. The linebacking corps, defensive line and offensive line all need work.

Drafting a QB in the first round and giving up multiple draft picks in the future with a trade of Philip rivers is not a strategy the Bolts should take.

The risk is simply not worth the reward.

As well, while Rivers is not the most prolific with his feet, he is prolific with his arm and should be rewarded with a good defense and offensive line. Not to mention, I don’t see Mariota fitting into the Chargers offense. He is a running QB and doesn’t have as much experience under center as Rivers has had. He does have shotgun passing experience (which the Chargers do run from time to time), but I’m not sure how he will perform at the NFL level.

And while many people won’t admit it, Philip Rivers is a good, quality quarterback. He is in the final year of his contract which is a scary thing to think about, but would leave if the Chargers move to L.A. (which hasn’t even been finalized as of yet).

On Tuesday of this week, the Chargers did work out Mariota which is a sign of potential interest. But, teams do work out players without true thoughts of signing them, so it remains to be seen what happens in the end.

Perhaps Telesco has wanted Mariota all along or could be messing with the media the entire time.

Regardless, the decision to obtain Mariota is a poor choice. Mariota definitely has the talent to make in the league, there is no doubt about it. However, based on the Chargers depth chart, team needs and individual contract situations, the Chargers do not need Marcus Mariota. It’s only logical to pass him up and take a better option.

Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a third quarter touchdown to tight end Antonio Gates (not pictured) while eluding the grasp of Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

To those people who have doubts about Rivers, there are some justifications there. Rivers has failed to deliver the Bolts past the AFC Championship game every single season in his career with SD and isn’t getting any younger at 33.

I truly believe that Rivers should play out his career with the Chargers, but, at the same token, San Diego should be in the market for a potential first-round pick in either 2016 or 2017 instead. This will give San Diego an opportunity to built around their first-round pick so that when the rookie QB comes in later, he can be in the best position to deliver.

There is also free agency which San Diego can look to exploit in the case that Rivers does leave the team next year.

Drafting Mariota would force the Chargers receiving corps and offensive line to adapt to a rookie, running quarterback. The Chargers have the pieces to win the division next season; do I see Marcus Mariota as the leader of that team? Sorry Oregon, I do not.

Next: 2015 Dream GM: Tom Telesco

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