Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota Must Protect the Football

Turnovers have plagued Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota through three weeks. But that’s something he can and must improve upon going forward.

Nobody expected the Tennessee Titans to be undefeated through the first three weeks of the season. The team only winning one out of the first three games shouldn’t come as a shocker either. However, if quarterback Marcus Mariota didn’t give the ball away as much as he did, the team could very well be 3-0.

Being tied for third in the NFL in fumbles (3) while also being tied for fifth in the league for interceptions (4) isn’t the type of production anybody expected out of the second-year pro. If the team is to start earning wins more consistently, Marcus Mariota needs to protect the football.

There are plenty of factors that could be contributing to the turnovers. Pressing, miscommunication, questionable play-calling, lack of talent on the outside could all be blamed for the quarterback’s struggles. If the coaching staff is to make changes and help their potential franchise savior out, they must tailor the offense to be more equipped to his skill-set.

We all know how Mariota lit it up for the Oregon Ducks in Chip Kelly’s offense. The high-tempo, spread out offense primarily from the shotgun. Now, the Titans shouldn’t just toss out the ‘exotic smash-mouth’ playbook, but maybe just adjust a few things.

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Too often is the team in a run-heavy, closed-in formation. Yes, that’s a great way to pave the way for your bell-cow backs, but it isn’t helping your young quarterback at all. The only time the team is in shotgun is third-and-long situations or in the two-minute drill. Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie must open up the field more for the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner.

When the offense was at its best, it was at the end of games the past two weeks. When the game was on the line and the team had a limited amount of time to move the ball all the way down the field. That’s when Marcus Mariota and this offense was in their prime—spread out, shotgun formations with Mariota calling plays and getting into his own groove.

Now, those two drives had two opposite results (thanks in part to poor officiating), but that has to at least open the eyes of the offensive masterminds in that building. Maybe allowing your field general to take control of the game every now and again wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Why have the talent on the field if you’re not going to take full advantage of it?

Heading into Houston, against one of the league’s most vaunting defensive units, Mariota and the offense must find a way to get more production out of this offense. Especially against a defense that is down J.J Watt and potentially Brian Cushing.

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The return of Kendall Wright could be exactly the boost this offense needed. Along with the likely return of Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker and the subtle emergence of Jace Amaro, the passing game could show improvement this week despite going against a more talented defense. That is, if the coaching staff tailors this offense to be a little more Mariota-friendly.

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