Where Would Marcus Mariota Likely Succeed In NFL?
By Erik Lambert
Oct 18, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL draft order is still slowly taking shape, so it’s not clear which teams have the best shot at Marcus Mariota. If it were up to him, where is he better off?
Tennessee Titans
Head coach: Ken Whisenhunt
O-Line: C-
Receivers: B+
Jake Locker wasn’t the answer for the Tennessee Titans but that doesn’t mean the team is without potential. Ken Whisenhunt has a proven history with quarterbacks going back to his days in Pittsburgh. He knows how to speak their language and elevate their play through a classic pro-style attack. That will be very good for Mariota, who currently spends his time in spread. The offensive line has struggled in 2014 but doesn’t lack for talent with high-priced free agents and draft picks littered across it. The same goes for wide receiver with names like Justin Hunter, Kendall Wright and tight end Delanie Walker.
Fit: B+
St. Louis Rams
Head coach: Jeff Fisher
O-Line: C
Receivers: C
Jeff Fisher knows he has to get the quarterback position right to get the St. Louis Rams to the next level. The problem is he can’t seem to solve ongoing issues with the offensive line, who still seem unable to protect with any degree of consistency. Then there is also the wide receivers. Jared Cook is a nice addition at tight end and Brian Quick has emerged as serviceable but they really don’t have any true go-to guys. For Mariota, he would fall under an experienced coaching staff, which is great, but his chances for immediate success would be limited by his weaponry and protection.
Fit: B-
New York Jets
Head coach: Rex Ryan
O-Line: C-
Receivers: B-
Rex Ryan a good head coach who has had success in the past. He knows defense better than anybody but his offenses have a bad reputation for underachieving. The offensive line excels at run blocking but they’ve allowed 18 sacks in 2014. Their wide receivers got a much needed boost with the addition of Percy Harvin. Together with Eric Decker that forms an intriguing one-two punch that Marcus Mariota could make use of, not to mention a steady ground attack led by Chris Ivory.
Fit: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head coach: Lovie Smith
O-Line: C
Receivers: B
Lovie Smith has a long track record of problems on offense. So if Mariota were to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it would be out of the hope that offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, a respected quarterback guru, could guide him properly. It wouldn’t be an easy task. Tampa Bay has problems up front in pass protection and their receiving corps has lots of size and talent but limited production to go with it.
Fit: C
Houston Texans
Head coach: Bill O’Brien
O-line: B
Receivers: B+
The fast start by the Houston Texans is quickly evaporating, and that’s a real shame. From a talent perspective they have plenty to work with. The offensive line is great at run blocking and have only allowed 11 sacks while the wide receivers are spearheaded by Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Bill O’Brien is an offensively-oriented head coach with a strong history of developing young quarterbacks as he did in New England and at Penn State. If there was one team that Marcus Mariota could land on, he could do a lot worse than Houston.
Fit: A