Marcus Mariota: Year-by-year facts and analysis of Titans QB
![GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F09-2F1014161570-850x560-3523dac80d04a54d702a313c39a578035379c0b86af71868eaa7cf6707988f22.jpg)
The 2015 season
Head coach: Ken Whisenhunt/ Mike Mularkey
Offensive coordinator: Ken Whisenhunt/ Jason Michael
Team record: 3-13
Total games missed: 4
Playoff appearance: No
Marcus Mariota passing stats: 2,818 YDS, 19 TD, 10 INT, 62.2 CMP%
Significant injuries: Two grade 2 MCL sprains
Analysis:
The 2015 season was one of Marcus Mariota’s most impressive seasons as a professional. Aside from tight end Delanie Walker, he was consistently forced to work with lackluster talent throughout the year.
His No. 1 receiver in 2015 was rookie second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham, who caught 32 balls on 67 targets for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns. That’s a catch rate of 47.8% from the team’s supposed top wide receiver.
Most teams’ No. 1 wide receiver can get you 1000 yards at a minimum. However, in 2015, the Tennessee Titans top two wide receivers (DGB & Harry Douglas) could not eclipse the 1000-yard mark even after combining their numbers (960 yards).
As hard as it is to believe, the running game was even more nonexistent than the passing game. If 1000 yards is considered the threshold for a solid season, it only took four Titans running backs to get there.
The team was led by Antonio Andrews, who had a monstrous (sarcasm) 520 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The other three running backs on the roster (Dexter McCluster, Bishop Sankey, and David Cobb), failed to reach the 600-yard mark on 154 combined carries (586 yards).
The defense did not provide much help either, as it allowed at least 25 points in 10 out of 16 games in 2015. In fact, the Titans defense allowed at least 30 points in seven of those 10 games. To make it even worse, the Titans offense scored 10 or less points in six of their 16 games.
Considering the talent — or lack thereof — that surrounded Mariota in 2015, it is honestly incredible that the Titans even won three games during Mariota’s rookie year, while he also put up a decent individual rookie season statistically in the process.