While watching the Alamo Bowl on Monday night, it was hard not to be mesmerized by the absurd talent level of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The announcers alluded to his Heisman potential prior to injury during a conversation late in the first half, and it was clear that he appeared pretty close to fully healthy for this game.
Mariota and much of the Pac-12 outside of Stanford and Arizona State was forgotten down the stretch of the year. As Florida State glided toward the national title and the SEC captured our focus through several incredible late season games in the state of Alabama, Oregon rounded out their season at 10-2 and headed to a questionable bowl game, at least for their standards.
But Mariota’s speed and versatility as a player were again on display in San Antonio on Monday. He was decisive with the football and accurate when he chose to go downfield with it. His largest plays came mostly as a runner, but his pocket athleticism against a reasonably good defense makes you wonder what kind of player he can be at the pro level.
Mariota has already elected to return for another season. Over the years, many players of his caliber have faced such a decision. The debut often rages on concerning, primarily, “What would another year do for him?” as the prevalent argument for both sides.
It is clear that, by any normal definition, Mariota is the best prospect in this upcoming draft. I’m a Teddy Bridgewater fan and feel like he will most likely be a decent NFL player. I also full support Johnny Manziel and his potential impact at the next level. There are other quarterbacks who also command respect entering this draft as well, but none have what Mariota has.
The Hawaiian is the mountaintop for what Chip Kelly had developed over the years. He had Dennis Dixon, Jeremiah Masoli and Darron Thomas, and many felt he could not find better fits for his up tempo system. Mariota has proven to be just that, and his explosiveness is undeniable.
But much of his success has resulted from his legs. He is a good pocket passer and also possess solid accuracy while on the move. Injuries definitely plagued him this season, and limitations in the second half of last night’s game proved, once again, how human he can look when facing the rigors of a tough defensive line.
We have seen rushing quarterbacks come into the league and have success, only to eventually falter and fizzle out in most cases. Mariota has to prove he is not that, and it might never happen at Oregon. Their success is predicated upon his stretch ability and athleticism on the perimeter. That is unlikely to change and could prove to make a major dent in his ability to get any better between 2013 and 2014.
But, if he is fully health heading into this offseason, it would be a major benefit in terms of allowing him to workout for scouts. He has already begun the process to determine his “draft grade,” but I’m willing to be he would get a pretty nice grade, especially if he fully committed himself to this process.
No one has any real clue as to why Mariota wants to come back. I would think a lot of it has to do with his wanting to finish what he had started a year ago. He wants to beat Stanford, win a Heisman and play for a national title.
I commend him for that perspective and attitude, but last night’s game was yet another reminder of how fragile he does appear at times. He is certainly tough, but he isn’t built to play this style in the NFL to any extent. Ask Robert Griffin about what a knee injury can do to someone’s career, and it’s pretty obvious that Mariota needs to think long and hard about this upcoming choice.
A reversal of his current decision would undoubtedly send head waves of discussion through NFL meeting rooms. The possibility that Bill O’Brien could be heading to Houston is made that much more intriguing should Mariota decide to leave. Houston would have the number one selection and could likely bring Mariota in as a backup and let him sit for a year while he polishes off his abilities, something which has not been tried in years for many blue chip prospects.
O’Brien is the sort of coach who, through his endeavors with current Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, could be the mentor that Mariota needs to find his full potential. I’m not saying Oregon hasn’t helped him become the player he is, but I’m just not sure that staying in Eugene would be the way to go.
Even if Houston is not interested, it is very likely that numerous teams in top position would be. The Jaguars, Browns and Raiders would be downright moronic to let him slip out of the top five, and Minnesota also picks at eight.
Regardless of what Mariota chooses, I’m excited for his future. It certainly appears to be bright no matter his surroundings. But remaining in the video game like environment he currently plays in for another season won’t be his best bet, although it might just be the one he makes.
