First off, just want to say I've been a Mariota believer. Gonna share my opinion but state my position up front. Will be interesting to look back at how things pan out.
What do you think Mariota's ceiling is this year?
I honestly think that with a good defense and healthy offensive weapons this could be Mariota's "breakout" year. If he stays healthy, his production and numbers could finally be "elite" and he already has an elite skillset.
The run game just might get fixed this year with the additions of Saffold and Davis. Henry, Lewis, and Fluellen are all capable backs. Will have to see how Conklin bounces back but we could field one of the better O Lines this coming year based on past performance. Mariota should benefit from Saffold at LG and hopefully Davis or another guy step up and lock down the RG spot. The run game could mean some deadly play action for Mariota, and even when we're not running, teams have to respect the run.
Corey Davis - AJ Brown - Adam Humpries -Taywan Taylor could be a deadly combination of receivers. Sharpe is an alternative option as a chain mover and route runner who offers something Taylor doesn't.
On paper that's our best WR group as a franchise. If Brown works himself into the 2 spot it means that he's picked up the offense and speed of the game and we could finally have our group.
Healthy Delanie - Smith - Pruitt - Firkser. Pruitt and Firkser have both showed reliable hands and clutch catches and Smith has the measurables to be a solid pro.
This could be Mariota's breakout year. Could easily see 200 to the WR's and 100 to Delanie + Other TE's the norm. Would be tough to lock down Davis and Brown if Brown pans out. Plus they're both physical guys who can get YAC. You can send either of them deep, plus Taylor, and then you have to deal with Humphries and Delanie underneath with Henry and Lewis coming out of the backfield. Doesn't sound very fun on defense.
I could easily see him throwing for 4,000+ yards and his TD's being solid compared to INT's. Mariota's always been protective of the ball outside of his early fumbling issues. He's never gone on long stretches of throwing bad passes, as in consecutive games. He has elite speed and is deadly as an option runner and some of the pressure issues could finally get resolved (Delanie, Humphries, Brown, Saffold, Davis).
I think his ceiling is pretty high this year heading into his make or break year. If the coaches let him throw the ball I think he'll put up really good numbers and we'll get a lot of wins. His ceiling could put him as a top 10 passer in the league but his intangibles could make us Super Bowl contenders. If the defense holds up this year we could finally win the division again and I say that thinking 3 teams from the South could make the playoffs.
What do you think Mariota's ceiling is this year?
I honestly think that with a good defense and healthy offensive weapons this could be Mariota's "breakout" year. If he stays healthy, his production and numbers could finally be "elite" and he already has an elite skillset.
The run game just might get fixed this year with the additions of Saffold and Davis. Henry, Lewis, and Fluellen are all capable backs. Will have to see how Conklin bounces back but we could field one of the better O Lines this coming year based on past performance. Mariota should benefit from Saffold at LG and hopefully Davis or another guy step up and lock down the RG spot. The run game could mean some deadly play action for Mariota, and even when we're not running, teams have to respect the run.
Corey Davis - AJ Brown - Adam Humpries -Taywan Taylor could be a deadly combination of receivers. Sharpe is an alternative option as a chain mover and route runner who offers something Taylor doesn't.
On paper that's our best WR group as a franchise. If Brown works himself into the 2 spot it means that he's picked up the offense and speed of the game and we could finally have our group.
Healthy Delanie - Smith - Pruitt - Firkser. Pruitt and Firkser have both showed reliable hands and clutch catches and Smith has the measurables to be a solid pro.
This could be Mariota's breakout year. Could easily see 200 to the WR's and 100 to Delanie + Other TE's the norm. Would be tough to lock down Davis and Brown if Brown pans out. Plus they're both physical guys who can get YAC. You can send either of them deep, plus Taylor, and then you have to deal with Humphries and Delanie underneath with Henry and Lewis coming out of the backfield. Doesn't sound very fun on defense.
I could easily see him throwing for 4,000+ yards and his TD's being solid compared to INT's. Mariota's always been protective of the ball outside of his early fumbling issues. He's never gone on long stretches of throwing bad passes, as in consecutive games. He has elite speed and is deadly as an option runner and some of the pressure issues could finally get resolved (Delanie, Humphries, Brown, Saffold, Davis).
I think his ceiling is pretty high this year heading into his make or break year. If the coaches let him throw the ball I think he'll put up really good numbers and we'll get a lot of wins. His ceiling could put him as a top 10 passer in the league but his intangibles could make us Super Bowl contenders. If the defense holds up this year we could finally win the division again and I say that thinking 3 teams from the South could make the playoffs.