Don Banks SI article on Mariota and Whisenhunt

[socaltitan]

As SK said, nothing new, but it does contain some quotes that at least show Whiz understands the importance of QB. Not that any coach doesn't, but there isn't a whole lot of coach speak there - he's saying the same thing all us fans do: he'll look a lot better as a coach and the Titans as a team if QB is sorted.

It's no coincidence the good teams have good qb and the bad teams have bad qb

[Jonboy]

The two guys on Path to the Draft both said they do not believe the Titans will take Mariota and that Whiz was basically planting a "for sale" sign on the #2 pick.

 

http://www.titansonline.com/video/videos/Path_to_the_Draft_Crew_Debates_Mariota_to_Titans/fcab31b5-715a-41ee-be50-5cee3c8f2fcb

[Mythos27]

What happens when you don't disguise your intentions? O'Brien was more vague than Whiz has been.

I never argued that Whiz has been vague or that O'Brien was specific. My point has little to do with Whiz at all. I'm countering your assertion that teams don't intentionally muddy the waters as to who they're interested in picking. They do. There are recorded cases of coaches admitting it after the fact. Again, I'm not saying Whiz is doing this, just that it happens more than you think it does.

 

As for what can happen if you don't disguise your intentions? Maybe the other teams don't believe you're a real threat to take that QB consider a franchise guy and you never get the deal you wanted. O'Brien wanted to trade down badly but never got the deal he wanted. Maybe he should've muddied the waters a little more.

[Cyrus]

Charting the throws from Hundley, Winston and Mariota.

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/52722/349/2015s-quarterback-conundrum?pg=1

 

Want to take a guess who was the most accurate in the 11-20 yd. range or the +20 yd. range?  Or who was the best throwing under pressure or against the blitz?  Here's a hint.....it goes against conventional board wisdom.

 

Again, I get the sense that a lot of people haven't really watched Mariota play much, or at least take a look at the cut-ups where you can see all the throws back to back. The popular refrain continues to be: "Mariota is a system quarterback who throws too many screens and dump-offs! Winston is a much better pro-prospect because he runs an NFL style offense."

 

Well, true to a degree in terms of concept, but look here - Winston threw a greater proportion of passes within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage than Mariota. Nearly half of Winston's throws (45.7%) were within 5 yards. Mariota? 39.4%. And where do NFL QBs make hay? In the intermediate zone where 33.4% of Mariota's passes went and 23% of Winston's. You simply have to watch the games to realize that Mariota doesn't throw quite so many short passes as you think and you start to believe that maybe there is something there as an NFL passer.

 

A little back ago I said that I was far less impressed with Winston than I expected to and more impressed with Mariota than I expected to. There's still probably a good chance that Tampa could take Mariota and frankly I expected them to more than a month ago. Winston seems to be their guy and that's a good thing for the Titans. The more I watch of Mariota the more I like. I've probably watched 6 or so games of his 2014 season at least 2-4 times each. I continue to like him more and more. He really developed in 2014 and he throws with quite a bit of location and he seems like a naturally accurate quarterback. Combined with his awareness, intelligence, athleticism, feet and quick delivery there's reason to believe he could be a very, very good quarterback. 

[Mythos27]

The two guys on Path to the Draft both said they do not believe the Titans will take Mariota and that Whiz was basically planting a "for sale" sign on the #2 pick.

 

http://www.titansonline.com/video/videos/Path_to_the_Draft_Crew_Debates_Mariota_to_Titans/fcab31b5-715a-41ee-be50-5cee3c8f2fcb

No way. No one ever intentionally misleads people at draft time.

[big2033]

No one is like Whizenberger, but there are plenty. The guys whose posts consist of about 90-95% discussing why Mett sucks and we have to pick up Mariota fit into that category for me. They aren't as bad as the VY guys, but if we draft him just wait.

 

I don't know if anyone is referring to me but all I've done is connect the dots and tell everyone why we'll go in a certain direction.

 

Wading through the BS.

 

And so far things are going in the same direction. I honestly haven't really gone all in on Mariota. But I've said why it makes sense to draft him and why Mett isn't the guy.

 

We don't realize how irrelevant we are to the outside world and how they ignore us.

 

How dumb is it that people are willing to mock the Chargers trading F'ing Philip Rivers for Mariota but "Hey titans ... yeah stick with Mett ... it fits ..."

 

So the Chargers can take that chance  and trade their franchise QB for Mariota ...  but we're the Titans, we should play it safe and stick with a 6th round QB. Because it's a fit. Besides the fact it's a similar offense to what's run in San Diego. Oh but Mariota fits there.

 

It's dumb.

[Mythos27]

No one is like Whizenberger, but there are plenty. The guys whose posts consist of about 90-95% discussing why Mett sucks and we have to pick up Mariota fit into that category for me. They aren't as bad as the VY guys, but if we draft him just wait.

Oh, you support Mett and talk about how good he is? You must want to make physical love to him.

Oh, you support Mariota and talk about how good he is? Nothing wrong with that. I'm not even sure if you exist.

[socaltitan]

Some people are awfully testy today. Guess Merc was right about the five stages. Reality is starting to sink in

[MIKE75]

Mariota isn't going to crash and burn. He's not going to be a complete bust. He's going to do just well enough to keep getting chance, after chance, after chance because he's the #2 pick in the draft.  Unlike the old days it isn't the financial investment that screw you for years it's the fact the QBs picked that high get chance, after, chance, after, chance to prove beyond a doubt that they aren't the guy. All those chances occur over the span of years not games. Mett got six games, that's it, and his chance is done because he's a 6th rounder. The moment we draft Mariota, he is our started and it will take either an injury or incredibly heinous play for him to get another shot and he better be flawless or another rookie QB will be taken. There will be no competition. We pretty much all agree that even if Mett isn't al that he's at least much better than Jake. Well Jake got 4 seasons, Mett got 6 games.

 

This is something that i really dislike and wish teams would rethink the way they do them in regards to QB's. It was clear even after Locker got chance after chance that he couldn't play. After a while all a team is doing is prolonging the inevitable. I thought this past preseason that Mett should've been made starter going into the season.

 

Of course team politics and Locker being a first rounder guaranteed he'd get that upteenth chance to prove yet again he didn't deserve to be starting. I think it is crazy to give a guy four years regardless of draft position. Call it crazy but i'd give the QB a couple seasons and if he isn't improving i'd look for another one in free agency or the draft.

 

It looks like teams like Buffalo and N.Y. Jets are thinking of doing just that although they just drafted QB's in 2013. Fitzpatrick is replacing Smith in N.Y. and Cassell is taking over from Manuel in Buffalo.

 

 

The smart teams will draft a QB every other year especially now that more second and third rounders are becoming starters. In 2010,2012 and 2014 Philly drafted a QB and Nick Foles became a starter out of those three seasons.

 

In 2010 Carolina drafted two QB's Clausen and Pike. The very next year they tried again and got their franchise QB Cam Newton.

 

If you need a QB the best thing to do is draft one every season or two until you find the right one. Some may think thats crazy but it works. 

 

After Seattle had let Matt Hasselbeck go they were desperate for a QB they brought in Charlie Whitehurst that didn't work out. Then they brought in Matt Flynn who signed a three-year deal worth $20.5 million. Flynn was brought in to compete with 2011 starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and 2012 NFL Draft third round pick Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback position. When Wilson was named the starter it made Flynn and his contract expendable. Most teams especially Tennessee wouldn't have let Flynn go after signing to such a big contract.

 

How much money a QB makes or what round they are drafted in takes on more importance than it should causing teams to be tied to someone long after they know it is a mistake. The smart team will do what is best regardless of draft position or contract.

 

It is also becoming more common to see teams bust out picking a QB in the first round while another team in the same draft finds their starter later especially in the second or third round. There is a good chance Tennessee could have their franchise QB in Mettenberger who went in the sixth round.

 

Out of the eleven QB's drafted in the 2013 draft third rounder Mike Glennon has shown the most potential. I think he could be a starter and do well with the right team. As i stated earlier both of the teams of the first two QB's chosen in 2013 EJ Manuel and Geno Smith are already trying to replace them which i think is the right thing especially when it is clear as day they aren't improving.

 

I'm of the opinion that you should use your highest pick to strengthen other areas within the team and pick a QB after the first round if you need a QB. Of course had Tennessee followed this advice in 2011 they'd probably have JJ Watt or Muhammed Wilkerson. Reaching for a QB almost never works out unless it is a can't miss prospect like Andrew Luck.

 

This year the two top QB's are Mariota and Winston. There are others like Garrett Grayson,Bryce Petty,Sean Mannion,Brett Hundley,etc.

 

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see first round picks Mariota and Winston both fail to live up to expectations while mid rounders like Grayson or even Petty have much better careers.

 

The last two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks were sixth and third round picks. Think about that......

[big2033]

I watched his entire game vs stanford from 2013 last night, not impressed. A lot of throwing back across his body, and across the field. A lot of inaccuracy. I watched every snap of the Rose Bowl game and National Championship game, again a lot of inaccuracy. It is what it is, and the common theme is bailing from the pocket, a lack of pocket presence or awareness, throwing from poor platforms and plenty of inaccuracy.

Very little of what he did at Oregon matters or translates. It just doesn't. The tape for the most part is riddled with asterisks.

I'll watch more, but I've yet to be impressed with him as a passer.

 

Watch 2012 and his high school games too ... avoid 2014 at all costs though.

[big2033]

The two guys on Path to the Draft both said they do not believe the Titans will take Mariota and that Whiz was basically planting a "for sale" sign on the #2 pick.

 

http://www.titansonline.com/video/videos/Path_to_the_Draft_Crew_Debates_Mariota_to_Titans/fcab31b5-715a-41ee-be50-5cee3c8f2fcb

 

I agree he's put out a for sale sign that's obvious.

 

But I just think it's two guys who don't want to move off their original narrative - yet.

 

But again, for them to say ... yeah stick with Mett but "hey Chargers are going to trade Rivers for him!" is almost like a slap in the face.

 

Mariota is important enough to replace Rivers but not to be our starter?

[Mercalius]

The weird thing is, I don't even see a contingent on this site banging the drum and saying Mariota should be the pick.

What I've seen was, at the time, a small group of posters who looked at our upcoming draft positioning, the state of the quarterback position, the overall state of the franchise, as well as the profile of Marcus Mariota and said it would be very feasible for the Titans to draft him. 

 

Initially, it was laughed off the forum as a non-possibility.  People in such stout support of Mettenberger, Leonard Williams, or a combination of both scoffed at this view as being ridiculous.  Several weeks later, everyone's gritting their teeth praying that public comments are the exact 180 of the staff's true intentions and getting riled up in anger over something they thought was never going to happen a few short weeks ago.  Those of us who said it could happen are now viewed as fanatical fanboys of a quarterback who most have said very little about other than that he's a good prospect and someone the Titans would likely consider.

 

So big, socal, Cyrus, titansfan, and everyone else who's merely defended the notion of *drafting* Mariota, not even necessarily tried to sell the board on him as a player, we're all now going to be viewed with utter disdain if he is the pick and goes on to not have a great NFL career.  That's how it goes around here.  I saw the truth about the situation right after the Jets game and knew it would very likely go down this route, whether MM ends up being the pick or not, I knew that by April a vast majority of people would flip their stance on it being a real possibility.  Now that exactly that has happened, I'm being lumped into some rose-colored glasses homer category when I've made 10x the posts about Mariota potentially being a valid pick versus his actual quality as a football player.  I like him, and think he has a chance to succeed, but the narrative for myself and you other folks is that we're 100% all in on him, think he can't fail, think Leonard Williams is a bad prospect, and will be ridiculed if Mariota doesn't pan out.

 

Ah, Titans Report  

[socaltitan]

Pretty much Merc. I've never said draft Mariota or else. I just think it's very plausible. Personally, I like Williams the most, though I do think he's been overhyped. But I think QB makes the most sense for us. I'm not sold on Mett personally and I don't think the Titans are either. The quickest way to turn an organization around is hitting on a QB. I think both QB are worth the pick. They have flaws, but most QB not named Luck do. Guys like Brees, Rodgers, Big Ben, Flacco, Ryan, etc had plenty of detractors as well. If you compared Winston and Mariota as prospects to other guys in past years, I feel like they match up fine.

[IrishTitansFan]

I watched his entire game vs stanford from 2013 last night, not impressed. A lot of throwing back across his body, and across the field. A lot of inaccuracy. I watched every snap of the Rose Bowl game and National Championship game, again a lot of inaccuracy. It is what it is, and the common theme is bailing from the pocket, a lack of pocket presence or awareness, throwing from poor platforms and plenty of inaccuracy.

Very little of what he did at Oregon matters or translates. It just doesn't. The tape for the most part is riddled with asterisks.

I'll watch more, but I've yet to be impressed with him as a passer.

Most of Mariota's inaccuracy issues are eerily similar to Mettenberger's though, neither have huge problems with accuracy but both have some issues that are a slight worry.

[ctm]

The weird thing is, I don't even see a contingent on this site banging the drum and saying Mariota should be the pick.

What I've seen was, at the time, a small group of posters who looked at our upcoming draft positioning, the state of the quarterback position, the overall state of the franchise, as well as the profile of Marcus Mariota and said it would be very feasible for the Titans to draft him. 

 

Initially, it was laughed off the forum as a non-possibility.  People in such stout support of Mettenberger, Leonard Williams, or a combination of both scoffed at this view as being ridiculous.  Several weeks later, everyone's gritting their teeth praying that public comments are the exact 180 of the staff's true intentions and getting riled up in anger over something they thought was never going to happen a few short weeks ago.  Those of us who said it could happen are now viewed as fanatical fanboys of a quarterback who most have said very little about other than that he's a good prospect and someone the Titans would likely consider.

 

So big, socal, Cyrus, titansfan, and everyone else who's merely defended the notion of *drafting* Mariota, not even necessarily tried to sell the board on him as a player, we're all now going to be viewed with utter disdain if he is the pick and goes on to not have a great NFL career.  That's how it goes around here.  I saw the truth about the situation right after the Jets game and knew it would very likely go down this route, whether MM ends up being the pick or not, I knew that by April a vast majority of people would flip their stance on it being a real possibility.  Now that exactly that has happened, I'm being lumped into some rose-colored glasses homer category when I've made 10x the posts about Mariota potentially being a valid pick versus his actual quality as a football player.  I like him, and think he has a chance to succeed, but the narrative for myself and you other folks is that we're 100% all in on him, think he can't fail, think Leonard Williams is a bad prospect, and will be ridiculed if Mariota doesn't pan out.

 

Ah, Titans Report  

 

That's why I said in Jan., let the process play out.  Unfortunately a lot of posters took a stand then before all the facts were in and now won't move off their original stance.  They've committed to Mett, come hell or high water.