Mariota focused on ball security
NASHVILLE — Marcus Mariota knows he’s trying to do too much at times to help the Tennessee Titans win, so much that he’s had far too many turnovers already this season.
The second-year quarterback promises he’s working as fast as possible to learn from his mistakes.
“There’s certain situations that are new to me, I’m kind of experiencing on the fly,” Mariota said Wednesday. “That’s part of this process for me. It’s part of the process for any young player. I’ll continue to learn and grow.”
Ball security was a focus this offseason for the quarterback taken No. 2 overall out of Oregon in 2015. Mariota was intercepted 10 times and lost six fumbles in 12 games started as a rookie. Through three games this season, Mariota already has lost two fumbles and been intercepted four times.
Tennessee (1-2) is tied for last in the NFL, scoring just 14 points per game, and has scored only one offensive touchdown in the first half through three games. That came in the second quarter of the season opener.
“Well, it’s the turnovers, and that’s on me and things that I can improve on,” Mariota said. “That’s going to hurt our team no matter what happens or where it’s going to be at. So if I do a better job taking care of the football, our team will be in better position.”
Only four quarterbacks have more interceptions than Mariota, whose four picks tie him with Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, Houston’s Brock Osweiler, Carson Palmer of Arizona, Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill of Miami.
Titans coach Mike Mularkey refuses to let Mariota take the blame for his turnovers alone. Mularkey said everybody’s at fault, including coaches.
The Titans are working with the quarterback on better protecting the ball in practice, something they will keep doing until they get it right.
“This past game, we had some situations, I thought we could have made some plays on those balls,” Mularkey said.
Mariota finally will play his first game Sunday against AFC South opponent Houston (2-1). The quarterback missed both games against the Texans as a rookie because of injury.