The Titans and quarterback Marcus Mariota are heading for a crossroads. So the team is trying to teach its quarterback a specific lesson before the season starts.
Tennessee want a multiple offense that can threaten a defense in numerous ways, but figuring out where to pull the trigger and where to rein it in with Mariota — who ran a 4.4 40 at the 2015 combine — as a runner is one challenge. The other is teaching the quarterback when its safe to use his wheels and when he should not.
“The thing I’ve stressed to him, and I know our coaches have stressed to him is, Let’s live to play another play,” Titans GM Jon Robinson said per Albert Breer of SI. “Don’t take that hit. If you feel the pocket coming down on you and you take off running, and the ‘backer is coming off of coverage and he’s coming screaming at you, throw the ball away. It’s OK to punt, we’ll get another crack at it. That’s the main thing, it’s stressing to him—to try as best as possible, like all quarterbacks do, to avoid getting hit.”
Of course, that's a hard habit to break for a player that has made a living off his athleticism at every level he's played.
The goal is the same, though. To keep Mariota healthy.
Mariota has been durable during his career, missing only eight games. But he always seems to be playing through something. Last year it was a nerve issue that cost him three starts. The challenge is a daunting one: that of maximizing a superior athlete without jeopardizing his career longevity.
For Mariota, though, it's one that needs to be solved. Because he's playing for his franchise QB status this year.
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