Marcus Mariota More Comfortable Than Jameis Winston

Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Titans defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mariota’s Day

Mariota’s head coach, Ken Whisenthunt, is an offensive mind the put together a great game-plan for Mariota. He didn’t try to turn Mariota into the true pocket passer that he isn’t in the game. Instead, made Mariota more comfortable, mixing the spread offense with his pro offense.

Even while they were in pro sets, he got Mariota out of the pocket on bootlegs and designed roll-outs. Whisenhunt took advantage of Mariota’s ability to throw on the run as well as his accuracy on short to intermediate throws. It all worked out to the tune of Mariota going 13-16 for 209 yards, four touchdown passes, no interceptions and a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3.

He was four attempts short being the first rookie quarterback with a perfect rating in his first game. The Buccaneers helped Mariota stay comfortable too with that Tampa-2 defense he never strays far from. Mariota will pick that zone defense apart with his accuracy every day of the week and twice on Sunday without a Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice rushing him.

Next: Bottom Line