Not that he had anything to worry about anyway; Marcus Mariota actually prefers boogie boarding.
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“Now we’re going to start getting into some situational football, whether that’s third-and-longs and red zone stuff, things that are really important in the middle of the game”, Mariota said.
The Titans open training camp with a 90-man roster and the most celebrated of them, Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick of the NFL Draft, formally begins the considerable task of trying to steer the franchise to respectability after a six-year playoff drought.
On Thursday, 22 miles away in Nashville, Mariota gets behind the wheel of the less gleaming, high mileage 2015 Tennessee Titans. Glennon has spent more time with the Titans over the past five years, but still shifts regularly between the football field and hockey rink. Now, they don’t want to hinder his ability to keep progressing. Whisenhunt said part of this camp will be determining how much both Mariota and all the other young Titans can process.
Sign of the times.
“I think the element of him being able to extend the play and move adds a lot, so that’s what we have to work through”, Whisenhunt said.
Since players weren’t allowed on team facilities until Thursday, Mariota and some of his receivers worked out at a private suburban Nashville facility.
“The only way we can make things easy for him is when he throws you the ball, make a play”, said tight end Delanie Walker, who led the team with 63 catches for 890 yards last season. He is going to work, and I know what kind of player he is.
“It’s more about seeing what he can do in the live situations – with the pads on in the pocket”, Whisenhunt said. But now when you have bodies around you, it’s a little different. But he warned the media and fans alike…DGB will be brought along at a slower pace that we’d probably like to see….duly noted coach. But he watched most of the offseason after aggravating a hamstring injury during a rookie minicamp, so camp offers him a chance to show what he can do.
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“I have always had high expectations for myself and that won’t change, ” he said.
