Here, we see why Titans’ signal caller Marcus Mariota is bound to take a substantial leap forward in 2016.
All told, 2015 was a forgettable season for the Tennessee Titans, but if there is one thing the fans should be excited about, it’s Marcus Mariota. After the franchise missed on back to back first round quarterbacks in Vince Young and Jake Locker, nobody knew if the team would ever find itself stability at the quarterback position, but that all changed when the former Heisman Trophy winner was selected with the second overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.
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Despite only winning two games in his rookie season, Mariota displayed flashes of greatness. In his debut game against the Buccaneers, the former Oregon Duck lit up the score board with four touchdowns, and went on to do that four more times, tying Peyton Manning for the most three-plus touchdown pass games in a rookie season. That’s not terrible company to be in.
The records kept coming for the dual threat quarterback, as he broke multiple franchise rookie records including passing touchdowns (19), completions (230), passing yards (2,818), and passing attempts (370). Mariota was able to do all of that without any kind of support on offense. The run game was weak almost the entire 2015 season, the offensive line gave up a league leading 54 sacks, and the wide receivers were inconsistent. Other then Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker, the second-year signal caller really didn’t have anybody.
Marcus Mariota should be thanking his lucky stars that the team decided to bring in Jon Robinson to rebuild this franchise, because he is setting his quarterback, and team up for success. The team signed a solid center in free agency in the form of Ben Jones while also drafting Jack Conklin to man down the right tackle spot. With Chance Warmack and Taylor Lewan already in place, the line is already substantially better then it was in 2015.
The upgrades didn’t stop there, as Robinson decided to pull the trigger on a trade to land the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year in DeMarco Murray, and pair him with Heisman winning running back, Derrick Henry. This team is set up to be a dominating, ground and pound offense. With that being said, I still believe it wont limit the passing attack at all, in fact it will make it stronger.
Mariota flourished off the play-action. We all know about his athleticism and ability to take off when nothing is there, but if you really look at his 2015 film, he was deadly attack throwing the ball on the move. Fitting balls into tight, compact spaces was something that really impressed me. You’d think someone coming from a spread, read-option offense wouldn’t be able to have that throwing ability, yet he displayed great touch and accuracy with the ball.
Rishard Matthews, who was also brought over via free agency, is someone I expect to develop into Mariota’s number-two receiver, maybe even number-one target, something he desperately needed. In only 11 games, Matthews was able to accumulate over 600 yards, making his money from short and intermediate routes. Which makes him a perfect fit for this offense, as Mariota can really pick apart a defense in those areas.
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All of these factors are in the former Heisman winner’s favor, but what most people don’t realize is the intangibles he brings to the table, and no I’m not comparing him at all to Tim Tebow. Coaches and players have all been praising Mariota (via Rachel Wold of Sportsnaut) and his ability to really lead this offense and perfect his craft, which is something you can’t put a price on.
The work ethic is something that will separate the 6’4″ passer from his draft day counterpart, Jameis Winston, and will get him in the Pro Bowl at the end of the 2016 season, regardless of how the team finishes.