This game is boring, so let me expound a bit more on my Mariotta argument. I had to switch over to my tablet so I can type easier.
Mariotta is very much a system QB. Is there any disputing that? I saw someone post his numbers. They are surprisingly irrelevant given the system they run. It is designed to push the tempo and generate huge numbers due to mismatches. You get gargantuan mismatches at the 2nd or 3rd receiver positions in college because depth isn't the same as it is in the pros. Mariotta makes quick reads at the line? That's easy when you're running no-huddle and already pegged the 2 or 3 weak links in the secondary. The pros not only throw more complex schemes at you, but also better talent. You're not finding a walk on safety with no big game experience who'll blow the coverage. You know who else looked awesome in college, but I also said was a terrible pick? Sam Bradford. My issues with him were mostly tied to his shoulder, but I was also really wary of the system OU was running with him. Those system QBs are suspect as fuck, folks.
My expectations for Mariotta are the following. He's athletic enough that he actually has escape speed, unlike Manziel. However, his build is slight, like RG3. He's not the quality of passer that RG3 was coming out of college, nor the general at the los. How did that turn out for Griff? I see him getting hurt if you try to run read-option with him. He's already been banged up in college. I think stuff like that cross-body pass to the middle of the field bring his decision making into question. He doesn't throw a lot of picks, but that's because they're abusing mismatches half the time and front-running. He's not been as impressive against competent defenses that weren't sucking wind from the pace. Didn't he look really pedestrian against Stanford a year or two ago?
The guy has NFL bus written all over him. as much as I've fallen out of love with Tannehill, I'd curse the heavens if the Phins somehow picked Mariotta in the first. He's not worth a first round pick, because he is not starter material. Winston is more NFL ready,and I'm not even that high on him. I just think he's clearly a better pickup than MM. PEACE.
