It’s going to be fun.
“Just as Andrew Luck has converted a large portion of the Stanford fan base into Indianapolis Colts fans, the same will happen here with Oregon/Tennessee,” ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura said.
Marcus Mariota sends his jersey – May’s top seller – to Oregon fans who miss him. He made the Sports Illustrated cover. He’s a spokesman for Nike, Subway, Nissan and Beats by Dre. The only criticism is that he’s “too nice.”
He’s head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s golden goose after a 2-14 season.
Mariota scored 42 times last season to the Titans’ 28.
He, Dorial Green-Beckham of Missouri – “A faster Calvin Johnson” – and power back David Cobb of Minnesota are the future.
“The Titans, in two days (at the NFL Draft), have overcome years of being a stale franchise,” Bleacher Report’s NFL lead writer Mike Freeman said. “What I think we might see is Tennessee entering the realm of giving a damn. It’s possible that in a few years, the Titans will be one of the more exciting teams in football.”
Even three wins make Mariota a hero. The Titans were last in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings behind the Browns (28th), Raiders (29), Jaguars (30), and Buccaneers (31) on May 5.
Finally, something to be excited about.
“Do you remember how good Steve McNair and Eddie George were when together on Tennessee?” Freeman wrote. “Do you? They were the Titans. They scared defenses. They drew media and eyeballs and ratings. McNair was not the best passer, but he was good enough. His ability to extend a play was as good as any running quarterback in history. George was a fast, bruising runner who could take it outside or run your ass over.”
Dick LeBeau – architect of scary Steeler defenses – will help to get the ball into Mariota’s hands. The Titans may not stop anyone, but that puts Mariota back in.
The legend begins at Jameis Winston and Tampa Bay.
“Mariota’s high school coach, a former Utah quarterback named Darnell Arceneaux, said Mariota will likely internalize that he was chosen second to Jameis Winston, the Tampa Bay No. 1 pick he could go head-to-head against on opening day,” ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky said.
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