Marcus Mariota Focused On Fundamentals Of New Tennessee Offense
Former Oregon Football Quarterback Marcus Mariota knows the feeling of a coaching transition and is adjusting in Tennessee.
The fourth-year QB for the Tennessee Titans is working through several new dynamics as the 2018 season approaches. New Head Coach Mike Vrabel is working Mariota into a new style of Offense, but not too quickly.
Vrabel has given Marcus Mariota the necessary tools in the way of coaches to help his further development in the National Football League. When he was selected in the NFL Draft, Mariota was a threat with both his feet and his arm. He has worked through several injuries in each of his first three seasons and enters his fourth fully healthy.
So far this offseason he has spent time working with his Wide Receivers ‘off the clock’ so to speak in an effort to be a better passer this season. Mike Vrabel has given him guidance in the form of Offensive Coordinator Matt LaFleur and Quarterbacks Coach Pat O’Hara.
O’Hara specifically is working with Mariota on widening his throwing stance to help find more stability in the pocket and use his arm strength to his advantage.
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Despite low numbers last season, Mariota helped lead Tennessee to the NFL Playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The Titans lost on the road to the New England Patriots. Mariota is a few steps short of being an Elite Quarterback in the NFL, and the hope with the new Coaching Staff is that with their input and experience, it will help get him to the next level. He has been on the cusp for two of his three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, but injuries have gotten in the way.
Last season, Mariota threw for over 3200 yards, but threw for 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, in large part to a Wide Receiver group that was somewhat ineffective at getting downfield and being in the right place.
A key piece of Mike Vrabel’s Offense is getting things fundamentally right, which should benefit not just Mariota, but the entire Offense.