Mariota reflects on rookie season with Titans
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota threw a pass during the first half of a game against the New York Jets on Dec. 13 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Marcus Mariota said he feels he accomplished one of his major rookie season goals, making an impact with the Tennessee Titans.
“I think my goal was to try and come in and make an impact and I thought I did that to an extent,” Mariota told a season-end press conference today in Nashville.
Mariota was the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft and started 12 games. Despite missing four games — including Sunday’s finale — due to injury, the quarterback from Saint Louis School and the University of Oregon set franchise rookie records in several areas, including touchdowns (19), passing yardage (2,818), completion percentage (62.1) and passer rating (91.5).
“I wish we could have a few more wins,” Mariota said of the 3-13 Titans. Mariota told reporters “It is going to be weird watching some of the playoff teams.”
He said his first priority, is getting healthy. “That is going to be my first goal in mind to get healthy and, once that happens, gain a little bit of weight and get ready for the off-season (preparation).”
Mariota, who started the season at 224 pounds, was sacked 38 times and suffered ligament injuries in both knees during the season.
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The Titans, who announced a front office shakeup today, will be hiring a head coach and general manager. Mariota thanked the outgoing GM, Ruston Webster, for believing in him. “First and foremost, I’m very thankful for Ruston giving me a chance, an opportunity. Not a lot of people believed in a spread system quarterback coming out of college and he early kind of went to bat for me,” Mariota said. “I just want to say ‘thank you’ and wish him the best.”
Mariota said he will watch the realignment of the Titans unfold. “Whatever they decide to do I’ll full-heartedly support it and just get ready for next season.”
11 responses to “Mariota reflects on rookie season with Titans”
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Class act…Unlike the other #1 pick.
Mariota’s humility is his greatness and a real tribute to his parents. The Christian influence St. Louis had on him also cannot be denied.
a saint louis man
Titans need OL that can run block and pass block.
You are so right! They have the No. 1 pick, maybe they can trade it for a whole bunch of additional pics to a team who want to draft a QB? That way the Titans can fill more of the many holes on their roster. Of course picking the best left tackle in the draft would not be a bad thing either.
Yes, the OL is the number one priority but they have alot of other needs on defense. Hopefully they trade that number one draft pick and parlay that into several late first round and second round picks.
Based on mock draft boards at this time, the top 3-5 picks are unlikely to be a left tackle. The Titans should consider trading their 1# pick to move down to 5-7 and pick up additional picks. They need a lot of help so they’re in a great position as long as they don’t screw it up.
You did the best you could, Marcus. Rehab your knees in the offseason. Get bigger, stronger. Hope next season the OL will do their job and give you better protection. You have a long career ahead of you. Don’t want it cut short because of injuries. IMUA, Marcus.
Glad Mariota wasn’t hurt more often and more seriously with the lousy pass protection this year
As long as Marcus keeps his head on his shoulders and “not losing it when all around him are losing theirs….” And love, respect his parents and all others of his world and beyond, he will always be a man of class. God speed , Marcus!
The Titans need to really do their homework regarding the draft. Yes, maybe they should give up their number one pick for a lower number one pick and also additional picks in the later rounds. They need a lot of help on both sides of the ball in order for Mariota and the team to improve.