Is Marcus Mariota the franchise guy for Tennessee Titans?
By Adam Bowers
Let’s look at another young quarterback who has had quite a bit of turnover around him.
Derek Carr: (5 yrs/ $125 mil)
Games Started: 62
Games Missed: 2
Passing Touchdowns: 103
Interceptions: 44
Passing Yards: 14,690
Completion %: 61.425
Rating: 87.7
Passing Attempts: 2,247
Passes Completed: 1,378
Rushing Yards: 366
Rushing TDs: 0
Overall Record: 28-34
Playoff Games: 0
Playoff Record: N/A
SB Appearances: 0
4QC: 13
GWD: 13
This is one I felt was most realistic to compare Marcus to. The reason I say this is that both he and Marcus lost their HC in the middle of their rookie years. They have also had 3 OC’s in their first 4 years.
So continuity for both of these guys has not really been there, along with each trying to rebuild from ownership down to the coaches. Both had season ending injuries in the exact same week, of the same year, with the same injury of the 2016 season where both were having career years.
One thing is clear Carr throws the ball a whole lot more with about 600 more attempts, but only about 2,600 more yards. I think it would be safe to say that if Marcus were to throw for about 600 more attempts he would have more yards than Carr. Carr has only missed two games, but doesn’t have any playoff appearances and has a larger losing record than Mariota.
The former Oregon Duck also has a better completion % and rating than Carr does. Here’s the thing with these two, there wasn’t doubt that Carr was the franchise guy until after he got the big deal. He signed his second contract after his 4th year, which it depends on how you look at it as whether he earned it or not.
He didn’t make any playoff appearances, has a losing record, averaged over 550 attempts a year so the team was relying heavily on the passing game, but he wasn’t overly efficient.
However, he had over 100 touchdowns, was mostly durable and has that clutch gene with 13 4QC and GWD. I think when you look at what he had accomplished with all the inconsistencies around him, he definitely showed that he can carry a team, but in order to win he needs a better roster, which I think is finally happening.
Ultimately he deserved the contract he got and when comparing to Marcus I think it’s safe to say if Marcus can stay healthy he is a more dynamic and efficient quarterback.