Titan Sized
FanSided

Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota ‘not very’ close to being pulled on TNF

By Michael Moraitis

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans has his helmet knocked off after being tackled during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 19, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans has his helmet knocked off after being tackled during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 19, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t consider pulling quarterback Marcus Mariota in Week 3.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota once again failed to impress in Week 3, but head coach Mike Vrabel was “not very” close to pulling him.

Mariota did finish 23-of-40 for 304 yards, but he failed to throw a touchdown in the 20-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the bright side, he didn’t turn the ball over, either.

There were several key missed throws throughout the game, and Mariota held on to the ball for far too long in multiple instances that led to Jaguars sacks. Still, Mariota was under duress all night, as his offensive line was putrid en route to nine sacks and 12 QB hits for Jacksonville.

In total, Mariota has been sacked an astonishing 17 times in three games, the most any quarterback has taken since 2002.

He must speed up his internal clock even when he has time to throw, and that’s especially true with the way his O-line is constantly losing its battles with opposing pass-rushers.

Despite his struggles, Vrabel didn’t consider pulling Mariota for his backup, Ryan Tannehill.

It was a rough first half for Mariota, but he did pick his game up in the second half.

Sadly for the Oregon product, it was far too little too late, and every time it seemed like Mariota and the offense were getting on the right track, the O-line would allow another sack to stifle the drive and momentum.

There were times during the game when I wanted to scream out for Tannehill to get a chance, but I’m not sure it would have made a difference. No quarterback can succeed with the way the offensive line played on Thursday night — not Mariota, not Tannehill.

It looks as though Mariota will be the starter for the fourth game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons, and pinning this loss to the Jags solely on him simply isn’t fair.

Next. Instant analysis of Titans' Week 3 loss to Jags. dark

But the clock is ticking and Mariota must clean up the mistakes he did make or else it could be Tannehill time in Tennessee sooner rather than later.

Home/Titans News