Marcus Mariota: 5 reasons the Buccaneers should select QB
By Evan Massey
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (right) and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota do an interview on the NFL Network after finishing their workout during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
2. Poise in the Pocket
As both of these quarterbacks look ahead to making the next step in their careers, there are quite a few things that will be changing at the NFL level. Both players will have to get used to a much stronger, faster and more pressure packed game.
Jameis Winston has had some turnover issues throughout his college career with the Seminoles. He hasn’t dealt with pressure too terribly well when it got through Florida State’s impressive offensive line, and rushed quite a few plays and ended up throwing interceptions due to rushing things. That is a concern for an NFL team with the increase of talent that NFL defenses have.
Marcus Mariota has shown the ability to take care of the football extremely well, throwing just 14 interceptions in three years at Oregon. He has been a very strong leader and has not allowed himself to get flustered by defenses. If it comes down to poise and taking care of the football, then there is no question that Mariota is the guy for the Buccaneers to draft.
Whether or not they will come to that conclusion or not as well is another story, but it is certainly the case looking at the tape and numbers.
Next: 3. Team Leadership