Advertisement

Greg Cosell's Film Review: Titans want Marcus Mariota to develop a certain way

The Tennessee Titans are being very prudent in quarterback Marcus Mariota’s development.

While there have been more read-option elements in the offense lately, and Mariota is good when he scrambles, the Titans don’t rely on his running ability. When you rely on that, you end up with a quarterback who can’t play from the pocket. Maybe the Titans would get some better results immediately by asking Mariota to run more, but they are developing Mariota to be a pocket passer. And there are ups and downs that go along with that.

Mariota has made 18 NFL starts. Although we’re living in a world of instant gratification, Mariota is right where he should be in his development. That means there are some good things about his play, and some things he needs to work on too. He is still a beat late on some throws, and can struggle with consistent accuracy. He’ll perceive pressure that isn’t there, something else you’ll find in many young pocket quarterbacks. The Titans aren’t living with extreme ups and downs, because there is a certain stability to Mariota’s game, but he has to get better in some areas. That’s normal.

Since the Titans are asking Mariota to be a pocket quarterback, it’s part of their responsibility to help him within the scheme. The Titans have stuck to their identity of a power-running team, but they’re doing better in putting Mariota in positions to succeed. Early in the season I thought there wasn’t much fusion between the run plays and pass plays, with practically different formations for runs and passes. The Titans have very little speed on offense and had no vertical element to the offense early on. They were easy to defend. Tennessee is adjusting to change that.

The Titans are expanding their offense to include some more shot plays (deep passes), especially on early downs off play action. On the Titans’ first possession of the third quarter last week against the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee called a shot play. There was play action, and Rishard Matthews ran a deep sail route. The vertical release inside got Matthews screaming at safety Derrick Kindred in the matchup the Titans wanted. Matthews made a nice diving catch on a well-thrown pass by Mariota. This is how you create big plays in the pass game for your young quarterback. This one went for 43 yards.

(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)

It’s important for the Titans to help Mariota get comfortable (perhaps that’s why there are a few more read-option elements in the offense lately, although it hasn’t become a staple). Mariota at times this year has looked tentative in the pocket and has left throws on the field. Part of that is being a young quarterback, but he’ll need to improve on making quicker decisions.

Here’s an instance of Mariota being a beat late on a pass, and it almost cost the Titans a touchdown on third-and-goal. The inside seam and outside flat routes were taken away by the “quarters” zone coverage, but the “7 stop” route by Matthews beat cornerback Jamar Taylor and the Browns’ zone. Mariota was a little late throwing the ball. But since Matthews’ route won so easily, Mariota could still complete it for a touchdown. But you can see how him being late on the throw could have been an issue. On other plays this season in which he has hesitated, it hasn’t worked out this well.

(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)

Mariota still isn’t as consistently accurate as he needs to be. At times this season he has perceived pressure that’s not there, then drops his eyes and breaks down with his footwork. That causes him to be erratic.

Here was a throw against the Browns that he has to make. Delanie Walker’s out route beat “quarters” coverage on third-and-12. Even though there wasn’t much pressure here, Mariota badly overthrew him. That’s the kind of mistake that can cost you a close game.

(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)

It’s not like Mariota is a scattershot passer though. He can make very precise throws. Against the Browns last week he threw the ball better as the game progressed, being more decisive and accurate with much more precise ball placement. On the Titans’ final touchdown drive he had a great 11-yard pass to Kendall Wright on third-and-8. It was accurate and delivered right on time. And that’s the kind of play that can win a close game.

(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)

Mariota has had some struggles this season but he is getting better playing from the pocket. In Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, late in the first half, Mariota made a very nice play from the pocket. Walker ran a stick-nod route against safety Michael Thomas in Miami’s “Cover 1” (man coverage with a single-high safety). Mariota had to hold the single-high safety, Reshad Jones, and he did an excellent job keeping Jones in the middle of the field with his eyes. He then made a nice pass for a 20-yard touchdown.

(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)
(NFL.com screen shot)

The Titans drafted Mariota second overall a year ago, and he did some good things as a rookie. Both years they’ve made it clear: They want Mariota to play from the pocket. That’s the right path for Mariota and the Titans, even if there will be a learning curve along the way.

– – – – – – –

NFL analyst and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches as much NFL game film as anyone. Throughout the season, Cosell will join Shutdown Corner to share his observations on the teams, schemes and personnel from around the league.