Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is one of the five most efficient passers in football this season, and is on pace to high-step away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in Tennessee.
He is fifth in touchdown passes behind only Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton and Tom Brady. Mariota, like Brady, has only played in three games.
"I don't think the kid is going to have his way with us," Ryan said, via the Titans' official website. "I don't think that is going to happen."
In fairness to Ryan, the defense he and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman have created over the years is absolutely daunting for any player that is new to the league. With varied fronts, simulated pressures and trap zones everywhere, there is always a chance the game turns into a nightmare quickly.
Off the top of our heads: In 2009, Josh Freeman's first game against the Jets resulted in a 14-of-33 performance for 93 yards and three interceptions. In 2010, Colt McCoy went 18-of-31 for 205 yards and a touchdown. In 2012, Andrew Luck posted a very non-Luckian 22-of-44 for 280 yards and two picks. The following season, E.J. Manuel hit only 19 of 42 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown.
This could speak to a larger issue about rookie quarterbacks and it probably does. They are all bad to some degree during their rookie season.
Mariota, though, is off to a better start than any of them. This is not to say he's better than Luck, but measuring both against a very creative defense will be fun.
