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Marcus Mariota Plays Like A Rookie In Titans Debut

By Erik Lambert

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Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) fumbles the ball in the first quarter of their preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

It was fun monitoring the ever increasing euphoria around the Tennessee Titans training camp about how prized rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota looked every bit like the player who won the Heisman trophy at Oregon.  That included not throwing an interception once during every practice.

Suffice to say more than a few veteran NFL analysts chuckled at the idea.  They know this league and what it does to expectations, especially around rookies.  It provides crystal clear reality.  That became the case for Mariota who saw live bullets against pro competition for the first time and earned quite a lesson in the process.

In his very first drive of the preseason, the Atlanta Falcons sacked the #2 overall pick for a six-yard loss and then intercepted his screen pass, effectively ending his streak.  Then on the next series he fumbled the ball, which was returned for a touchdown.  Two turnovers from a quarterback known for protecting the football is the perfect encapsulation of what sort of jump he has made in opponent quality.

It was a rude awakening to the fact that Mariota isn’t facing the Pac-12 anymore.  This is the NFL and everybody is bigger, stronger, faster and smarter up here.  It takes more than being the most talented guy on the field to win in this league.

To his credit though, Mariota didn’t flinch.  Despite little help from his running game he led the team on a drive late in the first quarter to enter the Falcons red zone.  Then on at the start of the second fed Dexter McCluster to punch it in for a touchdown.  It was a good, efficient drive that should provide plenty of tape for him to digest in the weeks to come.

Like so many rookie quarterbacks before him, Marcus Mariota will make his mistakes, hopefully learn from them and become the player he’s expected to be with time and effort.

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