Oregon Ducks In The NFL: Marcus Mariota Dealing With Titans Growing Pains

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The Tennessee Titans appear to be going no where this season at 2-8, but believe it or not may still make the playoffs in a very poor AFC South. Former Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota has been solid this season, but not spectacular. Solid is good for your first season in the National Football League. At the next level, it usually takes baby steps to get to greatness or anywhere close to it. One thing is clear. There is no I in team and Quarterback Marcus Mariota cannot do it all on his own.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and first round NFL Draft pick needs help, specifically on the Offensive Line. If he wasn’t a mobile quarterback and able to move around the pocket I’m sure the NFL Sack record on an opposing QB for the season would have been broken two or three weeks ago. He has also delt with a coaching change, that I believe has worked in his favor and also a pretty nasty hit last month against Miami that led to an injury that he has recovered from. The Titans with Marcus Mariota at the help have had their chances.

Against Jacksonville last Thursday it came down to the final play of the game. Last month against Indianapolis it came down to a two point conversion to tie the game which may have led to a win. We could be looking at 4-6 rather than 2-8. His completion percentage ranks 10th in the NFL according to Yardbarker. and they believe that it is time Mariota be given the credit he deserves. He is also throwing the ball for an average of 250 yards per game, ten yards better than Jamies Winston, who was the top pick in the 2015 Draft ahead of Mariota.

Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I am not expecting Tennessee to make the playoffs in Marcus Mariota’s first season. The team will win some games, but lose the most important ones. The schedule ahead begins this week hosting Oakland, followed hosting Jacksonville, travelling to New York to face the Jets, also visiting the Patriots in New England before ending the season at home hosting JJ Watt and the Texans. Tennessee has work to do in the offseason. Changing out the Offensive Line would be a good start. An upgrade of the Defense is also in order, but in drafting Mariota, the team is on the right track. I am confident the Head Coach they will hire will work with Mariota in his current skill set so he can continue to be successful and hopefully more protected in the coming years.

Next: Oregon Ducks Move Up in AP Poll

Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans welcome Amari Cooper and the Oakland Raiders this weekend. Kickoff is set for just after 10am Pacific Time Sunday on CBS.

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