First Down And Tenn: Marcus Mariota Leads Jersey Sales
By Les Bailey
It’s too bad that selling NFL Jerseys doesn’t translate to wins on the field, because if it did, Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans would be booking reservations for the 2015 Super Bowl. Mariota’s Jersey outsold Jameis Winston’s this week, Tom Brady’s and even Peyton Manning’s!
Marcus Mariota edges Jameis Winston in monthly NFL jersey sales – Darren Rovel ESPN
In the first month that it was available, Mariota was tops in NFL jersey sales, edging out Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who was the first overall pick.
Although he was picked behind Jameis Winston in April’s draft, Marcus Mariota is ahead of him in May jersey sales.
| 1. Marcus Mariota, Titans |
| 2. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers |
| 3. Tom Brady, Patriots |
| 4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks |
| 5. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants |
| 6. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots |
| 7. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers |
| 8. Dez Bryant, Cowboys |
| 9. Aaron Rodgers, Packers |
| 10. Peyton Manning, Broncos |
| — Source: NFLShop.com |
The ranking is based on sales on the NFL’s official online store from May 1-May 31.
"“It’s surreal for me, it’s such an honor,” Mariota said Wednesday in a radio interview with The Midday 180 in Nashville. “For me it’s one of those deals, looking back on it in the future, it’s a crazy, crazy deal for sure.”"
Marcus Mariota can’t shake Jameis Winston debate – David Climer The Tennessean
In two weeks of minicamp workouts, it’s become apparent Marcus Mariota can elude the pass rush and outrun linebackers.
But try as he might, Mariota can’t escape comparisons to Jameis Winston.
"“That’s going to be your guys’ opinion,” Mariota said on Tuesday. “For me, I’m focused on this organization and doing my best to be the best player I can be.”"
Will Bishop Sankey be Answer for Titans at RB in 2015? – Marc Macaluso Pro Football Spot
In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans were looking for some new blood at the running back position after deciding to cut longtime starter Chris Johnson for financial reasons. The Titans used their second-round pick, selection No. 54 overall, to take the first running back off the board. This would be the latest spot for the first running back to be picked in NFL draft history.
Tennessee had its choice of any running back coming out and elected to take Bishop Sankey from the University of Washington.
Sankey’s college statistics were impressive. He started as a sophomore, running for 1,439 yards and 16 touchdowns and followed that up with 1,870 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns his junior year. Sankey also earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and second-team AP All-American honors his junior season.
Mariota credits soccer for his football development – Mike Florio Pro Football Talk
Soccer recently has gained attention in the United States not because of the game, but because of the legal assault on the upper reaches of the sport’s international governing body. But soccer has separate significane in America; soccer may have helped one of the league’s next franchise quarterbacks better prepare for football.
"“I think soccer is a great fundamental sport — I think it built a foundation for me as an athlete,” Mariota said told 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. “Whether that’s my footwork now, or relative to just kind of seeing the field and instincts.“I think soccer is just such a game where you have to understand the complexities and the system of what’s going on, and you have to know that before you get the ball. And once you get the ball, you have to react. I think that has helped my growth not only as a football player but as an athlete.”"
Blidi Wreh-Wilson wants to stay in mix for Titans – Jim Wyatt The Tennessean
NFL players sometimes get little sympathy in a locker room, at least around their teammates.
Good-natured ribbing is fair game.
Case in point: Titans cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and he’s limited during organized team activities. When a reporter decked out in a Hawaiian shirt stopped by to chat with him last week, a nearby teammate said Wreh-Wilson should be wearing the shirt instead, suggesting he’s currently on vacation.
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