They say you really don’t know a QB until you’ve seen four of their games. These cutups from Draft Breakdown have been very helpful. It’s not just highlights, but every play that involves each player.Mariota: http://draftbreakdown.com/?s=Marcus+Mariota Winston: http://draftbreakdown.com/?s=Jameis+Winston (BTW, thanks to the poster on this board who shared these awesome linksIts amazing because there are some misconceptions and myths about each QB that actually watching the games seem to dispel.Here are my thoughts on Mariota after watching 4 of his 2014 games -
- -Don’t like his deep ball. He can complete it but he seems inconsistent
- -Love his pocket awareness, he can scramble, get out of trouble but keeps his eyes downfield. He’s NOT a run-first guy. He’s always looking for the big play downfield.
- -While Oregon’s offense is a one-read offense, the first read isn’t always open, Mariota does indeed scan the field for the open guy and typically hits him.
- -He has Steve Young-like escapability. You need to converge on him or hit him from behind to bring him down.
- -Oregon runs a ton of short passes and screens, but Mariota has shown the accuracy to get it down the field 10, 20, 30 yds.
- -Even when he’s not at his best, he’s still able to lead the Ducks down the field.
- -His receivers (with the exception of the tight end) aren’t very good. FSU has better talent at the wide receiver position than Oregon.
- -He fumbles WAY too often on the read option.
- -Seems more accuate on NFL type throws – slants/hooks/double moves/back shoulder sideline. Haven’t seen him throw many fades.
- -Got very lucky on some throws that weren’t INT, also made some throws that would be easy pick-6’s against NFL level competition.
- T-he perception of him throwing to wide open receivers is wrong. Jameis has had just as many blown coverages to take advantage of.
Bottom line – His deep ball needs some work. He definitely would be good in a WCO or short passing offense where he can lead the receiver and let him YAC. He wasn’t quite as accurate as I previously believed. I think in the beginning he’ll out-athlete folks but he’ll need to put the work in to be an Aaron Rodgers type. Thankfully, there’s no character issues there. He seems to be a very good study and understands what the defense is throwing at him.My thoughts on Winston through the 3 games I’ve watched (and the one I watched live) in 2014 -
- -CHUCK AND DUCK! I thought he was better under pressure but he’s clearly not. As soon as the pocket breaks down, he’s throwing it up for grabs, throwing off his back foot, plodding around the pocket. Not good.
- -Not as mobile as I previously thought (he reportedly has an undisclosed ankle injury so that may be impacting him).
- -His footwork is shite. Reminds me of Freeman, especially when the play breaks down.His accuracy is ridonkulus when he’s not pressured. Laser-like percision.
- -More on his accuracy, as many have said, he throws his receivers open.
- -Through four games I’ve seen him in 2014, I’ve yet to see him take a snap from center, drop back and pass. Maybe the cut ups aren’t showing that part of the offense (and they don’t show plays that are not directly impacted by Jameis). So to me, Winston has as many question marks dropping back as Mariota does. In fact, I think Mariota has the quicks and footwork that would allow him to get back quickly. Not sure Jameis has that footwork. Of course, it could just be the games I’ve watched so far, maybe he’s proven this in other games and I haven’t watched any of the 2013 games.
- -FSU homers are quick to point out that they only have Freshmen wideouts and that’s why Jameis has struggled with turnovers. Trust me, even the freshmen at FSU are better than the receivers Oregon is rolling out there. In the games I’ve watched, Jameis has made some unforgivable passes. Perhaps they were the result of a player running the wrong route, I don’t know without knowing the actual play call. I just know they looked like by reads by the QB.
- -He is definitely fiery in the huddle. Seems to command it and gets mad if someone does something stupid.
- -He definitely goes through his progressions and reads the defense.
- -He can pretty much make any throw.
- -Inconsistent on the deep ball but not as much as Mariota.
Bottom Line – Winston is a more polished passer. There’s no doubt about that. But I see some alarming issues like footwork and composure when the play breaks down. I think he can be a helluva QB if given the time to throw (I guess you can say that about anyone). Of course, there’s the character issues.IN THE END -I just really like Mariota’s ability to be able to make something out of nothing because I think you’ll see that a lot more than a clean pocket in this league (especially behind a Lovie Smith o-line). I think Winston will be the better QB early on but I think Mariota has the ability to be a dynamic football player in this league. Some compare him to Aaron Rodgers, but I see more Steve Young in him. I don’t see Big Ben with Jameis. I see more Brett Favre. I think he’ll lead the league in INTs. But he may lead it in Touchdowns, too.The one thing that really separates them in my opinion is trust. Jameis’ off the field nonsense, his weight gain (its put on some banquet circuit pounds) and lets face it, one person’s fiery leader is another person’s me-first a-hole and he obviously gives Jimbo sleepless nights. You have to wonder if he’ll grow up or become a me-first player like RG3 or Vince Young.Mariota is going to be a player in this league. I don’t care what system he runs in college or how he takes his snaps. He’s better than Kaepernick and RG3. He’s smart and can extend plays with his athleticisim. He is Steve Young. He also seems to be the consumate pro. You won’t have to worry about him working his ass off to be ready (ala Johnny Speedball).If the Bucs were picking 7th and choosing between the two, I can understand a pick for Winston. At first overall where this pick cannot possible fail or it could damage you for 4 or 5 years, I’d go with the safer pick in Marcus Mariota.Team him with a WCO or spread OC and he will be something special.
