Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aren’t Built To Handle Marcus Mariota

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Lovie Smith is an old school type of coach.  He believes in a traditional proven approach that includes strong defense, stable rushing attacks and a quarterback with a strong arm who knows how to run a pro-style offense.  So the reason everybody is so convinced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are destined to select Marcus Mariota 1^st overall is baffling.

Oregon offense is nothing like Smith’s style

First of all, yes there is a possibility that the Bucs could develop Mariota into a pro-style type of quarterback, but that would take a lot of time and even then would never guarantee he would play near the same level he has in the fast-paced, spread attack at Oregon.  He is at his best in the read-option, using his quick judgment to either hand it off, play fake into a quick throw to an open man or tuck it and run.  He has little concept of taking snaps under center, reading defenses pre-snap and taking three, five and seven-step drops.

Those are all things a quarterback would have to know in order for Lovie Smith to get the offense he wants for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  That is why it was no coincidence the first reported rumor regarding the #1 pick involved Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.

He understands all of those critical intricacies, which is why unless the Bucs trade their pick, Winston will be that pick.