By many accounts, the Tennessee Titans have improved immensely this offseason, bolstering their offensive line, running game and improving a solid defensive front. The biggest influence on whether those improvements will lead to actual wins is if Marcus Mariota takes a step forward.
After an intrasquad scrimmage Monday night, the second-year quarterback obliterated his own play.
"It's unacceptable, my play today," Mariota said, per The Tennessean. "I can't be turning the ball over like that. I've got to be putting these guys in better situations. But all in all, I'm glad we were able to come out and finish the drives that we did, and we had a pretty good red zone (drill) as well."
Mariota reportedly was intercepted by Daimion Stafford and also called for a false start. The pick was one of several turnovers forced by the Titans' defense.
We won't panic about one poor outing for Mariota. Training camp scrimmages are meant to work out the kinks.
Mariota believes the scrimmage was important for the newcomers to get their feet wet prior to Saturday's first preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.
"I think it's pivotal," Mariota said. "I think it's good for everybody to get a little dress rehearsal so it's not brand new the first preseason game. All in all, it was a good experience, something we can learn and build off of and get ready for Saturday."
The expectations for Mariota are sky-high entering the regular season. With an improved offensive line and smashmouth running game buffering the second-year quarterback, he just needs to avoid the "unacceptable" performances for the Titans' rebirth to finally take a positive step forward.
