Mariota Speaks Softly

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Marcus Mariota speaks softly, but will carry big hopes for a franchise (the Jets?)

February, 19, 2015
Feb 19

3:50

PM ET


By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com




INDIANAPOLIS -- Marcus Mariota received rock-star treatment Thursday at the NFL scouting combine, but he didn't act like one.

True to his reputation as a laid-back quarterback, the former Oregon star didn't blow into his packed news conference acting like one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft. He was humble, soft-spoken and businesslike.

Broadway Marcus, he's not. Some scouts have questioned whether Mariota is wired to handle a big market like New York.





AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Marcus Mariota was true to his laid-back persona at the combine on Thursday.Mariota, who could be drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets, fielded questions for 15 minutes from the national media. Part of the interview focused on the challenge of making the transition from a no-huddle, spread offense to a pro-style system. It takes some quarterbacks years to make the adjustment. Mariota said, "My goal is to make an impact from Day 1" -- and that was the closest he came to showing an ego.

A few highlights from his Q&A:


•On what he considers his greatest challenge: "For me, it's going to be huddling. I haven't huddled in a while. That'll be the No. 1 thing. It seems like a little detail, but it's a big thing. There are other things as well -- three-, five- and seven-step drops. That's all stuff I've been working on."



•On whether he's motivated by those who question whether he can thrive in a pro-style offense: "I guess you could say it's a little bit of motivation, but it's not the reason why I'm doing this. There's a purpose for why I'm doing this. I love the game and I want to be part of this for a long time."



•On how he benefitted from being tutored by former NFL backup Kevin O'Connell, who was hired this week as the Cleveland Browns' quarterbacks coach: "He gave me a play sheet and he told me to read the play calls out loud every night. That's something little, but as this process goes, it's going to help me to get used to speaking in a huddle. It's new. I haven't done it since high school." (Mariota also mentioned that he has been working out with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.)



•On whether he considers himself the best quarterback in the draft: "As an athlete, as a competitor, any person would tell you they're the best. I truly believe that in myself. We'll see whatever decision is made."

 

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5 takeaways for Jets from Marcus Mariota's NFL Combine press conference



Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 19, 2015 at 4:18 PM, updated February 19, 2015 at 4:38 PM



INDIANAPOLIS — Say this for Oregon's Marcus Mariota, one of the top quarterback prospects at this year's NFL Draft, and a possible first-round target for both the Jets and Eagles: He's perfectly boring.

Mariota met the media on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was confident without being cocky, and he easily deflected any questions that were teed up for him to say something fit for a headline—What's your relationship like with other quarterbacks like Winston, considering you're competing with him? went the gist of one—by replying with platitudes about "friendly competition" and "making the most of your opportunity."

Whatever opinions NFL coaches may have about Mariota's ability, they must love that he projects himself with all the flavor of unbuttered toast.

And then there's this:

And now for the few nuggets of insight that were gleaned from Mariota's 12-minute group Q&A at Lucas Oil Stadium:

1. He needs to re-learn things like huddling and dropping back. A product of Oregon's spread system, Mariota played his entire college career working without huddling, and without doing any five- or seven-step dropbacks. "It seems like a little detail," he said. "But that is a really big thing."

2. What quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell has done to help him. Mariota spent the last several weeks being tutored by O'Connell, who briefly had stints as the Jets' quarterback between 2009 and 2011, albeit without playing a game. Mariota said O'Connell, who's since been added to the Browns staff as quarterbacks coach,

3. He doesn't think he's limited to playing in a spread: Mariota said he doesn't put much stock in the fact that NFL defenses have kind of figured out spread-style quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers and Robert Griffin III of Washington. He sees adjusting to the NFL as a spread quarterback as just part of the process of being a rookie.

MORE NFL COMBINE: Complete coverage from Indianapolis

4. Philip Rivers is working with him. Mariota mentioned that Rivers, the Chargers quarterback, had also been mentoring him, though he was rather thin on any details. "He said to be myself, and to enjoy this process as much as I can," Mariota said. Heavy stuff.

5. Confirmed: He'll throw. There was a report the other night that said Mariota would throw during the quarterback workouts on Saturday. Why? "I thought that I was ready," he said. He also said there are no issues with his throwing shoulder, which he sprained in Oregon's national-title game loss to Ohio State.

Dom Cosentino may be reached at dcosentino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

 

[jetgreen13]

i'm not worried/concerned about mariota being a humble quiet kid.. i heard about that months ago..

my concern is how much of his success was based on the offense he ran at oregon..

if we end up trading with philly for foles & a couple of 1's for the 6th pick, my concerns about his chances of success in the pros will drop dramatically..

:dancing-cat-smiley-