Should the Tennesee Titans Roll With Marcus Mariota?
Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) fumbles the ball in the first quarter of their preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
All we’ve heard about Tennesee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota his interception-free training camp. It made those that didn’t know better believe that Mariota was ready to be an NFL starter. But then comes the preseason opener and he turns the ball over on his first two drives in the game.
One of his turnovers was a result of his lack of pocket awareness, something he showed at Oregon. The interception is no big deal because he’ll learn to throw a screen that isn’t open at his running back’s feet. But pocket awareness, one of the more important traits of an NFL quarterback, can’t be learned overnight.
By the third series of the preseason opener, most starters are out of the game but Mariota went back out to gain some confidence against the Atlanta Falcons backups. And he completed 5-straight passes to end his evening on a high note of Friday. Under normal circustances, that’s no problem because no matter what the system is, you’re dealing with a rookie quarterback.
But the Titans’ circumstances include a quarterback named Zach Mettenberger, who looks more ready. Mettenberger gave a good account of himself last year before he went down with an injury. And Friday, went out and picked up where he left off, throwing for 129 yards and a quarterback rating of 104.
Mettenberger has a ton of arm talent and NFL Media insider Michael Robinson noticed it on Friday. He said, “Zach Mettenberger is one of the 32 good quarterbacks in this league. He is a starter. And I think the Tennessee Titans have an issue on their hands. A good issue.”
“You can just see how the ball pops out of his hands and jumps out of his hands as he throws the ball. He has a strong arm. He has a great understanding of the pocket, great understanding of football concepts. I wouldn’t want to be Ken Whisenhunt right now.”
The Titan have already name Mariota the starter but they need to at least open the competition back up.
What would you do?