Are the Tennesee Titans Protecting Marcus Mariota?

May 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans first round draft pick quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes during his first minicamp work out as Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt observes at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

We all knew that the Tennessee Titans picked quarterback Marcus Mariota No. 2 overall in the draft for his upside. It’s a struggle for any young quarterback so the Titans need to protect Mariota as much as they can from negative press. That’s why the word you get on how Mariota is doing in OTAs and minicamp depends on who you ask.

It also depends on what day as consistency is an issue with rookie quarterbacks, especially when they’re not the most pro ready. Mariota has made an impression on teammates but tit came from his speed, not so much his arm. Linebacker Zach Brown was among those that were impressed and surprised by what he saw.

He told the Tennessean, “He is faster than I thought. He is an athletic quarterback. He didn’t win the Heisman for nothing. One time he took off, I was guarding Delanie [Walker], I turned around and I was like, ‘Where is he?’ He is fast. He impressed me. He is still a rookie and he has to learn, but he is a cool guy. I haven’t seen him get frustrated yet.”

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows what he’s in for telling NBC Sports.com, “It’s a process. That’s why you want to give him as many reps as you can, to get him more comfortable, get him prepared,” Whisenhunt said. “I guess the best assessment would be some good, some bad, probably probably what you’d expect.”

And when he’s not doing so well, the company line has been very protective of their rookie quarterback. After a bad day of practice at OTAs, Tackle Taylor Lewan told ESPN the offense was “awful.” Whisenhunt went out of his way even further to protect Mariota on their bad offensive day.

He told the Tennessean, “Not too much was (on) Marcus. Everything he was doing was so new for him. He was working through a lot of different things. He’s shown that when he gets comfortable with it,” Whisenhunt said, “he does a really good job.”

I not too much is on Mariota, why do you feel you need to say that?