What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

QB Marcus Mariota, WAS (1 Viewer)

Andy Reid solidified Titans' decision to keep Mariota

By Chris Wesseling

Published: May 1, 2015 at 11:25 a.m.

A franchise quarterback is so uniquely valuable in the NFL, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff once explained, that "the search for him consumes you."

It's that mindset -- and a convincing anecdote from Andy Reid -- that helped sway the Titans into turning down all trade offers to pull the trigger on Oregon's Marcus Mariota with the second pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

When ex-Saints coach Mike Ditka was offering his entire draft to move into the top five for Ricky Williams in 1999, Reid opted to stay put and draft Donovan McNabb at No. 2 overall.

Reid was confident that McNabb would be a star. Just as important, he understood there was no guarantee the Eagles would be picking high enough in the next draft to land a quarterback capable of turning his franchise around.

"I was talking to Andy today," Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt told Peter King of The MMQB on Thursday night. "He told me the story about Ditka offering a whole draft for (Reid's) pick. I understood what Andy was saying. It certainly helped solidify what I was thinking -- that's for sure."

This isn't a case of Reid turning the screw on Philadelphia fans, ruining Chip Kelly's chance to land Mariota. After spending time with Mariota at Oregon's pro day, Whisenhunt realized the perceptions of Mariota as a runner or "system quarterback" simply weren't true.

Once Whisenhunt's opinion solidified, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported, the Titans communicated to the Eagles and other teams that the price for the No. 2 pick would exceed the Rams' treasure chest for Robert Griffin III in 2012.

If Mariota meets Whisenhunt's lofty expectations, the Titans will never look back.

On the other hand, there's a horror story to match Reid's acumen in holding the line on McNabb.

In that same draft, Bengals owner Mike Brown rejected Ditka's offer of all six 1999 draft picks plus two more first-round picks and a second-rounder because he couldn't pass up the opportunity to draft Akili Smith at No. 3 overall.

Where did Smith post record-setting numbers in college? Oregon.

Whereas Smith bottomed out as one of the most notable draft busts in NFL history, he believes the latest Ducks star is an "absolutely flawless" prospect.

Judging by the Titans' exorbitant price tag for Mariota, Whisenhunt agrees with that assessment.
Click to expand...
 
Whisenhunt from the press conference:

- Reiterated for the third time to the same reporter that the plan is for Mariota to start week 1

- He's an accurate thrower, doesn't turn the ball over a lot, he can move in the pocket, extends plays

- When he talked about to Mariota about his offense, he had to do a lot in order to be prepared to snap the ball - understand who the unblocked guy is and why he is and communicate that to the OL. That's big part of the process for a young QB.

- The NFL has moved to a lot of shotgun type offense but he was impressive under center when the Titans visited Oregon

- Doesn't know what his weakness are going to be but not worried about that

- On adjusting the offense for Mariota: it's not really that difficult, the concepts he's used to running are similar to what we do.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nine visits by the scouting staff—director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield, regional scout Phil Neri and West Coast scout Marv Sutherland—led to the Titans being the team that was keenest on Mariota, according to an Oregon source. What helped even more came on a connecting flight from Salt Lake City to Eugene last fall.

“On one of my trips this year,” Beddingfield said Thursday night, “I was connecting through Salt Lake City for Eugene, and the lady sitting next to me saw my Titans cap on. She says, ‘Are you going out to see Marcus?’ I said I was. She was a big Oregon fan, and she talked about how once she met Marcus, and how she and her family follow him closely. She said to me: ‘We all follow Oregon football because of Marcus.’ ”

There’s something about that I think is important. All the time we spent on Marcus showed us the athletic traits, the sufficient arm strength, the poise in the pocket, the air of confidence. But Marcus the person is such a good person.”
Click to expand...
 
cstu said:
Nine visits by the scouting staff—director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield, regional scout Phil Neri and West Coast scout Marv Sutherland—led to the Titans being the team that was keenest on Mariota, according to an Oregon source. What helped even more came on a connecting flight from Salt Lake City to Eugene last fall.

“On one of my trips this year,” Beddingfield said Thursday night, “I was connecting through Salt Lake City for Eugene, and the lady sitting next to me saw my Titans cap on. She says, ‘Are you going out to see Marcus?’ I said I was. She was a big Oregon fan, and she talked about how once she met Marcus, and how she and her family follow him closely. She said to me: ‘We all follow Oregon football because of Marcus.’ ”

There’s something about that I think is important. All the time we spent on Marcus showed us the athletic traits, the sufficient arm strength, the poise in the pocket, the air of confidence. But Marcus the person is such a good person.”
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
You know what they say, "nice guys finish last."

 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/05/05/jameis-winston-marcus-mariota-consumer-marketing-index/26948677/

Winston ranks near Johnny Manziel, Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump in terms of "appeal'' — which leaves him in the bottom 2% (3,597 out of 3,664 celebrities on the list.) He ranks in the bottom 20% (2,994) in "aspiration" — whether a celebrity has a life to which respondents aspire to — alongside Nick Saban.

In "trust," Winston ranks near Janet Jackson, Vanilla Ice and Mark McGwire, leaving him in the bottom 7% (3,421).

"He's not going to have tons of blue-chip brands banging down his door to use him in a national campaign," Fleming said.

Mariota looks to be in better position to attract those elite brands. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Mariota is in the top 7% (224) in endorsement, near Rory McIlroy, and in the top 3% (95) in aspiration, alongside Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers and Sandra Bullock.
Click to expand...
 
cstu said:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/05/05/jameis-winston-marcus-mariota-consumer-marketing-index/26948677/

Winston ranks near Johnny Manziel, Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump in terms of "appeal'' — which leaves him in the bottom 2% (3,597 out of 3,664 celebrities on the list.) He ranks in the bottom 20% (2,994) in "aspiration" — whether a celebrity has a life to which respondents aspire to — alongside Nick Saban.

In "trust," Winston ranks near Janet Jackson, Vanilla Ice and Mark McGwire, leaving him in the bottom 7% (3,421).

"He's not going to have tons of blue-chip brands banging down his door to use him in a national campaign," Fleming said.

Mariota looks to be in better position to attract those elite brands. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Mariota is in the top 7% (224) in endorsement, near Rory McIlroy, and in the top 3% (95) in aspiration, alongside Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers and Sandra Bullock.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Interesting.

Their site doesn't have Mett listed. I do think the American people love an underdog/late pick panning out story, but I doubt he'd fare well.

Titans need to win in order for any QB to have some national popularity worth noting. If not, the guy's gotta at least sing some country songs

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Oregon coach believes Titans, Mariota are perfect fit

Jim Wyatt, jwyatt@tennessean.com 7:55 p.m. CDT May 7, 2015

Oregon's Mark Helfrich has been all over the country. When he's not coaching, he's recruiting.

In his mind, Nashville's the perfect home for Marcus Mariota. And Mariota's a perfect fit for the Titans, who did extensive research on the award-winning quarterback before picking him in the NFL Draft, Helfrich said.

"Marcus, he could fit in anywhere because he is not going to be hitting the club scene late at night, I can tell you that,'' Helfrich said. "He is going to be working and doing things in the community and working on the job at hand. But as for the city itself, and how he'll fit it, I think Nashville is a great city for him for a number of reasons.

"And he'll be beloved in the community when all is said and done."

Helfrich, who replaced Chip Kelly as head coach of the Ducks in 2013, watched Mariota grow over the years. He was the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach when Mariota, who's from Hawaii, stepped on campus in 2011.

He watched him turn into a Heisman Trophy winner, and more recently, the second overall pick of the NFL Draft by the Titans.

Helfrich predicts continued success for Mariota on and off the field in Tennessee.

"Marcus is a no-skeletons guy, and oh by the way, he's a really good football player,'' Helfrich said. "He's a phenomenally talented guy physically; he's extremely gifted from a natural ability standpoint. But he loves to work and he loves to compete; he loves to practice.

"His personality, that's the biggest (misconception) people have about him. People mistake humility for weakness, or for lack of competitiveness. Those things couldn't be further from the truth. I'm telling you that guy is extremely confident and a competitor that just goes about his business. … Yeah, he was quiet — about four years ago. But he has transformed in a good way. He is a very assertive leader; he is an unbelievable competitor that people don't see."

Mariota was in Nashville the day after the draft, but he left later the same day. He's scheduled to return on Monday when the rookies report, and he'll begin taking part in the team's offseason workout program. A rookie minicamp is scheduled to begin at the end of next week, and the following week the rookies will join the veterans.

Mariota is more familiar with the area than some might think. He actually has family in Nashville — his grandmother's sister and her family live in town.

"I've been able to get to know them fairly well the last few years," Mariota said.

When Mariota was coming out of high school, his first scholarship offer came from Memphis.

"I'm looking forward to it,'' Mariota said of moving to Nashville. "It's an opportunity, it's a new challenge. It's going to be a lot of fun, and it's an experience I haven't had before, and that's what's really cool about this profession."

Helfrich said he got pretty familiar with the Titans coaches during the pre-draft process, when he said the organization took a thorough look at Mariota. So did a number of other NFL teams.

"I was very impressed by their process,'' Helfrich said of the Titans. "It's interesting how each team approaches things. (The Titans) had a plan — it seems like they were on a fact-finding mission. A lot of teams ask you what they want to hear, but they had a set of questions and were honest about things from the past, and going forward. Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt is an impressive guy when you talk ball with them. Their approach to things was different. (They) obviously liked what they saw."

Mariota threw for 105 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions at Oregon, and won just about every postseason award imaginable while leading the Ducks to the national title game.

During meetings — the Titans attended Mariota's pro day in Eugene, Ore., and also had a private meeting with him — Helfrich said the Titans came away with a better idea of responsibilities Mariota had running the team's offense. From a system standpoint, Helfrich said Mariota was asked to do a lot, from adjust protections to checking plays.

The Titans also met with Mariota at the NFL Combine, and he also visited Nashville on a pre-draft visit last month.

"From a schematic standpoint, he's done a ton of stuff,'' Helfrich said of Mariota. "We're not an offense that tells a guy where to throw it or a one-read type of system at all. From that standpoint, Marcus is way ahead of some of these quote-unquote spread offenses, whatever that means."

Can Mariota be a success beginning in week one? That's what Titans fans want to know.

Whisenhunt has already said the plan is for Mariota to be the team's starting quarterback on Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay.

"Definitely,'' Helfrich said. "Now I think any individual player is contingent on everybody else, especially at that position — there's a lot of moving parts that have to be in sync. But Marcus is prepared physically, mentally and emotionally, and those are the three factors you look for in a guy who is going to lead your team and be ready to go when it's time.

"Just from a preparation standpoint, the guy is perfectly suited to come in and be a franchise quarterback."
Click to expand...
 
cstu said:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/05/05/jameis-winston-marcus-mariota-consumer-marketing-index/26948677/

Winston ranks near Johnny Manziel, Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump in terms of "appeal'' — which leaves him in the bottom 2% (3,597 out of 3,664 celebrities on the list.) He ranks in the bottom 20% (2,994) in "aspiration" — whether a celebrity has a life to which respondents aspire to — alongside Nick Saban.

In "trust," Winston ranks near Janet Jackson, Vanilla Ice and Mark McGwire, leaving him in the bottom 7% (3,421).

"He's not going to have tons of blue-chip brands banging down his door to use him in a national campaign," Fleming said.

Mariota looks to be in better position to attract those elite brands. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Mariota is in the top 7% (224) in endorsement, near Rory McIlroy, and in the top 3% (95) in aspiration, alongside Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers and Sandra Bullock.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I don't get points for endorsement, aspiration or trust appeal/marketing categories.

Seriously, Mariota had 14 INTs. In his career (three seasons). Winston had 18, last season alone (better in 2013, with 10, but still exactly double COMBINED, in one less season). That will be an interesting stat to track as their respective pro careers unfold.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bob Magaw said:
Seriously, Mariota had 14 INTs. In his career (three seasons). Winston had 18, last season alone (better in 2013, with 10, but still exactly double COMBINED, in one less season). That will be an interesting stat to track as their respective pro careers unfold.
Click to expand...
Has this ever carried over? I thought the NFL game was just too fast and too complex for a rook to have such a continuance of minimal mistakes.

I remember an NFLE guy throwing some high percentage like 80-85% and then doing that with the Texans in preseason, then he got in at some point during the season and threw something not-special like 55%.

I can't recall a rook NOT taking his lumps, even Sir Peyton and Luck.

 
maybe worded better by Climer: More importantly, he'll be throwing to receivers in tight windows instead of guys who are running free as was often the case at Oregon, where the Ducks' unique scheme and customary speed advantage routinely created mismatches.

Same Q, just can't think of any Bob

 
Bri said:
Bob Magaw said:
Seriously, Mariota had 14 INTs. In his career (three seasons). Winston had 18, last season alone (better in 2013, with 10, but still exactly double COMBINED, in one less season). That will be an interesting stat to track as their respective pro careers unfold.
Click to expand...
Has this ever carried over? I thought the NFL game was just too fast and too complex for a rook to have such a continuance of minimal mistakes.I remember an NFLE guy throwing some high percentage like 80-85% and then doing that with the Texans in preseason, then he got in at some point during the season and threw something not-special like 55%.

I can't recall a rook NOT taking his lumps, even Sir Peyton and Luck.
Click to expand...
Russell Wilson played like a vet as a rookie with a 26/10 TD/INT ratio (I think tying Peyton Manning's rookie passing TD record, though he had a 26/28 ratio - Luck was 23-18).

RG3, pre-knee injury had an even better 20/5 ratio as a rookie (broke NFL rookie records for Y/A average and lowest INT percentage?).

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bob Magaw said:
Bri said:
Bob Magaw said:
Seriously, Mariota had 14 INTs. In his career (three seasons). Winston had 18, last season alone (better in 2013, with 10, but still exactly double COMBINED, in one less season). That will be an interesting stat to track as their respective pro careers unfold.
Click to expand...
Has this ever carried over? I thought the NFL game was just too fast and too complex for a rook to have such a continuance of minimal mistakes.I remember an NFLE guy throwing some high percentage like 80-85% and then doing that with the Texans in preseason, then he got in at some point during the season and threw something not-special like 55%.

I can't recall a rook NOT taking his lumps, even Sir Peyton and Luck.
Click to expand...
Russell Wilson played like a vet as a rookie with a 26/10 TD/INT ratio (I think tying Peyton Manning's rookie passing TD record, though he had a 26/28 ratio - Luck was 23-18).

RG3, pre-knee injury had an even better 20/5 ratio as a rookie (broke NFL rookie records for Y/A average and lowest INT percentage?).
Click to expand...
Interesting, thanks Bob

 
**** LeBeau hopes Titans' D can't stop Marcus Mariota:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492448/article/****-lebeau-hopes-titans-d-cant-stop-marcus-mariota

 
Rotoworld:

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed Marcus Mariota will receive the "majority" of first-team quarterback reps this offseason.

Although some are pushing Mariota-versus-Zach Mettenberger as a training camp battle, it isn't. The Titans fully intend to start Mariota in Week 1, and only a complete face plant in preseason games might make it even a question.

Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

May 15 - 3:19 PM
Click to expand...
 
FUBAR said:
Faust said:
Who is Marcus Mariota most like?
Click to expand...
"Offensive coach in the league: Cam Newton, but Mariota is more NFL ready than Newton was."

So MM is more pro ready than a guy who made the pro bowl his rookie year?

Sorry, but no.
Click to expand...
Cam didn't make the Pro Bowl because he was 'pro ready', it was because teams didn't know how to stop a 260 lb. RB who could chuck the ball down the field (especially in the first two games).

 
FUBAR said:
Faust said:
Who is Marcus Mariota most like?
Click to expand...
"Offensive coach in the league: Cam Newton, but Mariota is more NFL ready than Newton was."

So MM is more pro ready than a guy who made the pro bowl his rookie year?

Sorry, but no.
Click to expand...
I don't see this as an indictment of Cam or a prediction for Marcus... It's just saying at this point, that's what he is. Cam flourished right away (and possibly peaked, but that's a different discussion for a different time) and also was put into a system where he could make plays. Mariota might not have that same success, but he has the skills to do it.

 
cstu said:
FUBAR said:
Faust said:
Who is Marcus Mariota most like?
Click to expand...
"Offensive coach in the league: Cam Newton, but Mariota is more NFL ready than Newton was."So MM is more pro ready than a guy who made the pro bowl his rookie year?

Sorry, but no.
Click to expand...
Cam didn't make the Pro Bowl because he was 'pro ready', it was because teams didn't know how to stop a 260 lb. RB who could chuck the ball down the field (especially in the first two games).
Click to expand...
So he was more ready for the NFL than defensive coordinators were ready for him. If he means "more in line with what I think a qb should look like" ok.

Just seems "more pro ready" indicates a perception that MM should do better than cam did. I'd love that to be the case, but it's improbable.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
gump said:
Bri said:
cstu said:
NFL's best selling jersey in May.
Click to expand...
that was an odd articleIf you google stores getting the jersey in actually posted it like news "Thiscompany now stocks Mariota jersey" and also, why have stats month of may at may 18th?

Titans need the good PR and they need a fan darling so I'm all for that stuff, just seems a little eyebrow raising type odd
Click to expand...
The data can be spun 20 different ways.
Click to expand...
It's no surprise he has the best selling jersey since he has fans in three states - Tennessee, Oregon, and Hawaii. He's very appealing from a marketing point of view but it won't matter much if he doesn't perform on the field.

 
cstu said:
gump said:
Bri said:
cstu said:
NFL's best selling jersey in May.
Click to expand...
that was an odd articleIf you google stores getting the jersey in actually posted it like news "Thiscompany now stocks Mariota jersey" and also, why have stats month of may at may 18th?

Titans need the good PR and they need a fan darling so I'm all for that stuff, just seems a little eyebrow raising type odd
Click to expand...
The data can be spun 20 different ways.
Click to expand...
It's no surprise he has the best selling jersey since he has fans in three states - Tennessee, Oregon, and Hawaii. He's very appealing from a marketing point of view but it won't matter much if he doesn't perform on the field.
Click to expand...
Right...but also we don't know if it was Sell In, Sell Thru, Sales from all retail, E-com Sales, etc.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BigTex
QB Jaxson Dart, NYG
5 6 7
Replies
303
Views
16K
Smack Tripper
S
T
Travdogg's positional rankings (summer edition)
2
Replies
84
Views
7K
wgoldsph
wgoldsph
JohnnyU
Arch Manning vs LaNorris Sellers, which is best for fantasy?
2
Replies
60
Views
2K
JohnnyU
JohnnyU

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top