Jameis Winston vs Marcus Mariota in Week 1 by Carl Cockerham 4h ago 
Jameis Winston vs Marcus Mariota is a highly anticipated match-up between 2015 draft picks one and two. I have to give it NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell for putting the schedule together the way he did. We won’t have to wait to see as they will go at it in Week 1. Both the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 2-14 last year, looking to turn things around.So they drafted potential franchise quarterbacks to lead their teams and into becoming contenders. And on September 13 2015, we’ll get a chance to see which quarterback is ahead in the process. This will come down to not only which quarterback is most ready but who has the best team around him.
Jameis Winston Scouting ReportNFL.com scout Lance Zlerlein said of Winston’s strengths, “Considered by scouting community to be advanced in ability to scan field and get through progressions. Has natural feel for throwing windows and anticipates openings that other college quarterbacks don’t see. Has height to see over offensive line and thickness of build to withstand NFL hits. Big arm by NFL standards.“Gets full extension and follow through into throws with ability to drive ball into the seam in front of safeties. Can make all of the field-side throws teams need. Aware in pocket, but not overly jittery. Good feel for edge pressure and steps up into pocket while continuing his scan. When pressure mounts, so does his focus.“Shows faith in his wide receivers and willing to go right back to them after a drop. Strong lower body and able to shake free of some would-be sacks and get rid of the ball. Fierce competitor and unafraid of mistakes. Shows above-average football character. Will make throws and take chances others won’t, which can be a special trait if properly harnessed.”Zlerlien said of his weaknesses, “Decision making not consistent with his football intelligence. Will throw into impossible windows rather than taking safe throw underneath. Was too easily baited into dangerous throws. Struggled with intermediate passing game in 2014, completing 56.8 percent of his passes with FBS-leading 11 interceptions in that range.Still learning nuances of position and how to move and hold defenders with his eyes. Would sleepwalk through first half of many games. Quality of decision-making drops off substantially when pocket becomes turbulent and he’s forced to leave it. Off-the-field character and ability to lead on NFL level are his primary obstacles, according to NFL evaluators.
Marcus Mariota Scouting ReportZlerlein said of Marota’s strengths, “Quick-twitch quarterback. Rare straight-line speed for the position. Defenses must account for ability outside the pocket. Asked to handle more each season by Ducks coaches and delivered consistent production. Keen sense of where trouble lurks and almost never gets baited into a dangerous throw.Threw multiple interceptions in a game just three times over 41 career starts. Adequate accuracy and ball placement from the pocket. Able to make off-balance, difficult throws. Can uncork throws quickly and without resetting feet when necessary. Silky smooth when asked to roll out and delivers on time with sound mechanics.Has balance and feet to escape collapsing pocket and will look to strike through the air rather than just bolting as a runner. Size, speed and enough skill to eat in the red zone. Considered extremely coachable by scouts, who also love his willingness to play hurt. Very humble and leads by example. Family and heritage are extremely important to him.He said of his weaknesses, “Benefits from an offense that is predicated on simplified reads. Offense able to create wide-open receivers after busted coverages at times. Tends to “see” pass rush too often. Will drop eyes and look to escape pocket rather than stepping to available pocket space. Frequent trips outside pocket increase opportunity for injury. Pocket feel is very average.“Stepped into sacks he had no business taking. Didn’t have to throw to tight windows often. Slow to make anticipatory throws and can improve patience in allowing combo routes to mature rather than rushing the read. Missed obvious pre-snap blitzes. Drive accuracy needs work. When cutting it loose, ball tends to sail on him a bit. Fumbled 27 times during his career.”
SituationsBoth teams were 2-14 last year, making most hesitant to say one situation is better than the other. But I’ll go ahead and say that Winston is going into the better situation of the two quarterbacks. Niether offensive line protected the quarterback well in 2014 but the Titans do have left tackle Taylor Lewan going into his second year.Both teams addressed their respective offensive lines with the Bucs doing a little more in the draft. That was because they needed to but the Bucs have the better running game with Doug Martin. The Titans just cut Shonn Greene and we’ll see what fifth-round running back David Cobb can do.The the Titans did well the get Mariota a weapon in the second round, pick Dorial Green-Beckham. But he last played college football two years ago while the Bucs have two proven receivers there. Veteran Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, who had 1,000-yards receiving as a rookie in 2014, will be Winston’s targets.
Early Impressions of WinstonThe reports each team’s offseason program confirmed that Winston is as pro ready as he needs to be. He didn’t waste any time, impressing the Bucs right away in first day at rookie minicamp. Bucs G.M. Jason Licht couldn’t help but gush over his new franchise quarterback when asked about him.He told USA Today, “I thought it was a great day. He knew the offense already. He wasn’t overwhelmed. He was even a little ahead of the game. He was already trying to change protections. The coaches were like, ‘Wait up. Hold on. You’re right. But the other guys aren’t there yet.”‘Head coach Lovie Smith particularly liked that Winston arrived early at rookie minicamp so he could be there to introduce himself to his teammates individually as they arrived. He told NBC Pro Football Talk, ““That’s a leader. That’s a trait you’re looking for in your quarterback, a guy who can bring the group together. That’s definitely him.”
Early Impressions of MariotaAs expected, word out of out of Tennessee is that Mariota is coming along much slower than Winston. Whisenhunt has added some spread concepts he has a base pro style offense, one Mariota isn’t familiar with. He’s doing a lot of things he’s never done before, like calling plays in the huddle and taking the snap from under center.So everything isn’t always going to be so properly executed for Mariota and the offense right away. Whisenhunt was very protective and careful when talking about his No 2 overall pick too. He’s not even grading the rookie quarterback on a daily basis yet because everything is so new to him.He told the Tennessean, “So not too much was on Marcus. Everything he was doing was so new for him. He was working through a lot of different things. Were there things we’d like to do better? Sure, obviously. But some of those things, when you’re doing them for the first time, you understand that. He’s shown that when he gets comfortable with it, he does a really good job.”
Bottom LineYou saw Zlerlein’s scouting reports and you see what each quarterback has done this offseason. What I’m hearing about Winston right now is his grasp of the offense arm talent and leadership. With Mariota, the good is about his speed and the bad is about his discomfort in a pro style offense.I’m not saying the sky is falling in Tennessee but Mariota is behind Winston as a pro quarterback. If Mariota was picked by Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles, there would be no telling what kind of game Week 1 would be. But Mariota has a long way to go playing like a pro and Winston is already there pluse he has better weapons.So to me, it’s advantage Winston.But they play the games for a reason!link