Subscribe
Follow Us
Marcus Mariota has some big shoes to fill for the Atlanta Falcons as he steps into the role of the team's starting quarterback. Mariota is going to be taking the spot of Matt Ryan, who himself has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts. At this point, big things are expected from Mariota.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was quick to play down the presuppositions most have on Mariota. According to the 40-year-old shot-caller, the team is not putting any pressure on Mariota to be Matt Ryan's second coming:
“He’s his own guy. That’s what you like about certain players, but he’s authentic,” Smith said, via Myles Simmons of PFT. “He is who he is. He doesn’t try to be anybody. We’re not asking him to come in here and be Matt Ryan or to be Peyton Manning. Be Marcus Mariota. That’s what we want.
“He’s also – I think everybody when you get another shot at something, there’s lessons learned and they’re hard lessons but if you take them the right way, you’re more appreciative of the opportunity. It’s been fun being around him again, not just as a player but as a person. He’s one of those people you enjoy being around and he’s doing a good job right now with what we’re asking him to.”
Smith reunites with Mariota after spending time together with the Tennessee Titans. Smith was Mariota's offensive coordinator a few years back and they are hoping to bring back that same chemistry now that they're with the Falcons.
