I wonder how he will fare as a pro. He reminds me so much of Colin Kaepernick. Same body type, same running style and athletic ability. But Mariota's accuracy isn't really consistent. QBs can put up great numbers in the Oregon system, because we have so much talent and the system itself confounds defenses so much that they are mostly hitting wide open receivers. That's the reason it's so rare to see an Oregon QB throw a pick, they rarely force anything. Darron Thomas put up great numbers as a pocket passer, but he is not even a marginal NFL talent. So I think what is unclear is what Mariota's NFL level QB skills are. There were similar questions about Kap. I'm not even sure that Mariota better than Dennis Dixon. Dixson was a great college QB, but hasn't done much in the NFL. But honestly, I think the way things are shaking out now, Mariota could probably declare and go #1. The crap teams in the NFL are always trying to copy the current leaders, and right now, two of the best teams are the 49ers and Seahawks, and the perception is that they skyrocketed to the to due to their athletic QBs.
The biggest difference between Kap and MM is just confidence. I would say Kaepernick almost borders on cocky. MM is really more of a calm confidence.
Since the Kaepernick comparison got brought up: What's the trade-off in penalizing/praising good teammates vs. weak opponents? I mean, MM obviously plays in a much tougher conference against way better opponents, but also has a stable of NFL-caliber teammates. Kaepernick didn't have a great team for his talent, but was also playing (aside from the games against Boise State) teams like San Jose St, New Mexico State and Idaho. So do you side with MM having a rosier NFL forecast b/c he was exposed to (and played well against) way better defenses? Or give the edge to Kaep because he got it done with way less, even though it was against inferior opponents?
The main advantage the Seahawks, 49ers, and Colts have is that they have QB's on cheap rookie contracts. Other teams with good QB’s have $100+million dollar contracts clogging up their salary cap. The 9ers were able to add some vets like Boldin whom the Ravens had to cut. It gives these teams a ton of flexibility to fill out the roster with a better defense and running game.
Hold the phones! Kaepernick went to a 49ers team with a real O line, he's able to succeed because he has protection to. Blaine Gabbert was a stud QB in college and had great accuracy 68% his final year, he's getting fed to the wolves in Jacksonville. Your O line makes a QB look amazing or not! Tampa Bay and Jacksonville have a ton of rebuilding to do, Marcus will not change that if a quality O line isn't in place first. That wont happen because they'll be using their top pick on him.
Minnesota? Home to the NFC north: home to Clay Matthews who hates running QBs, Da Bears and Julius Peppers, and the Thug Line of Detroit? Please have him go to Tampa(with a HC of a QB guru) or stay another year. Tampa is set up the most for success because all they lack is proper coaching and a QB. Their D, WR, and RB are set and locked.
Tampa has the cheapest owners in the NFL. Their practice facilities and weight rooms are worse than most every school in the Pac12. Minny has some good vets and the best running back in the league. I don't think there is a need to worry about the competition in the division, we have no idea what divisions will be good or bad in 3 years. Look at the NFC west, they were the worst in the NFL not too long ago.
Speaking about Tampa, I heard the Falcons had to disinfect the visiting locker room after the Bucs came to town.
a church mouse goes bowling... [video=youtube;CVE66k8eEMg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVE66k8eEMg[/video] STOMP
