The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Titans’ expectations for Mariota grow
QB gains command of offense, coaches’ trust in third year.
NASHVILLE, TENN. — The kid gloves are off for Marcus Mariota. The Tennessee Titans believe Mariota is ready to blossom as a quarterback in his third NFL season, so they’re giving him a bit more responsibility. They’re trusting Mariota to make sure the Titans have the right play called before snapping the ball.
“Putting more on his plate that he can hopefully get us to the right play,” coach Mike Mularkey said. “Not a lot, but just enough to maybe save us a couple of snaps.”
Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 pick overall in the 2015 draft, has earned his coaches’ trust after his first two seasons. Injuries have been his biggest challenge so far. Knee injuries cost four games as a rookie, and Mariota missed the 2016 season finale after breaking his right leg in a Dec. 24 loss at Jacksonville.
Now Mariota is going into his second full season with Mularkey and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie, and Mularkey says the quarterback’s familiarity with the playbook has helped the Titans work faster this offseason and preseason.
Mariota is a quiet workaholic who’s at the job early every morning. Mularkey warns not to be fooled by the QB’s easygoing demeanor.
“You wouldn’t expect him to be able to do what he does,” Mularkey said. “He can pick you apart. He can beat you with his feet. He can do a lot of things. He does all his talking with his play, and I like that.”
So do his teammates, especially after the Titans went from an NFL-worst 3-13 in Mariota’s rookie season to 9-7 in his second. Wide receiver Harry Douglas said Mariota only speaks when needed, but makes clear exactly what he wants without being derogatory or critical.
“He shows his teammates respect, and because of that, man, we appreciate him 100 percent,” Douglas said. “We’ll run through a wall for him.”
In 2016, Mariota threw 26 touchdown passes with nine interceptions. The Titans scored touchdowns on 72 percent of their red-zone trips to lead the NFL last season. But Mariota completed only 61.2 percent of his passes overall, 20th in the league. That’s why the quarterback has focused on being more consistent.
“I want to play at a high level all year,” Mariota said. “I thought last season, for me personally, started a little slow. Just want to start good, start on a high note and just kind of keep it throughout the year.”