Marcus Mariota 'a little anxious' in first Titans practice

When Marcus Mariota took the field on Friday for the first time as an NFL player, he did his best to blend in as just one of the guys.

All the cameras pointed in his direction blew his cover.

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and second overall pick put on his red No. 8 uniform and started slinging footballs at Saint Thomas Sports Park as the Titans kicked off a rookie minicamp.

"It felt good. I was a little anxious. It's been a long process, and to finally get on the field, you have that feeling," Mariota said. "I just want to be myself, and that is getting to know the guys and putting in the hard work and learning the offense and trying to execute it.

"I am going to build relationship and try and enjoy this beautiful game that we play. I feel like everything I have done up to this point has prepared me for this."

Media afterthoughts during a 2-14 season last year, the Titans drew a crowd on Friday. Representatives from NFL Network, ESPN and USA Today covered the minicamp, which attracted nearly as many reporters and cameramen as there were players on the field.

Most were there to see Mariota, the one the Titans drafted to help change the direction of the franchise. The soft-spoken Hawaiian made a good impression on his new coaches and teammates.

"If you have talent and you show you can make plays in this league, players are going to respect you," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "It doesn't take long to understand he is a competent guy at that position. He can throw it, he can run when he has to run, he can do a lot of things. He has command in the huddle."

Rookie wide receiver Tre McBride, a seventh-round pick out of William & Mary, met Mariota for the first time when the rookies reported earlier in the week. On Friday he was catching passes from the former Oregon star.

"I like the way Marcus leads," McBride said. "He is not rah-rah to the point where it's for a show. He is kind of quiet, but the simplicity he brings, it says a lot. He had a great college career."

Story continues after photo gallery

So how did Mariota perform in his first practice? He was mostly sharp in drills, which weren't conducted against defenders. His first pass was a completion — a lob to running back David Cobb — and he finished 2-of-2 in the drill with running backs.

Later he was 5-of-6 working on timing routes with receivers. In an extended drill with a running back and several receivers running mid-range routes, he went 11-of-15.

"He is athletic and is tall and big and has a strong arm," Cobb said. "He is a great guy. He doesn't yell and shout and get in your face, but he is definitely a leader and leads by example and he's picked up quick. So when I have a question I ask Marcus. He smiles and has fun, he is normal. Like everyone else."

Mariota's day wasn't perfect, however. During the portion of practice open to reporters, he threw behind receivers a few times and there were some communication issues. After practice, players in the locker room said cornerback Curtis Riley intercepted Mariota when reporters were not present.

"It's kind of funny," Riley said. "All week I told him he was going to throw me one. We came in the locker room and laughed. He is a great dude. He has a good relationship with everybody."

Mariota took simulated shotgun snaps during the portion of practice open to reporters, but took on a new challenge when the closed portion began.

"I had to be under center for the first time," he said with a smile. "So that was different for me a little bit, but it's still football. You have to do what is asked of you."

The Titans plan to give Mariota the majority of the reps with the starters throughout the offseason to get him ready for the season opener against the Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

He said he plans to do his best to lead the Titans, but he'll let others worry about whether he's the face of the franchise.

"All I can really do is focus on what I am doing out here on the field, learning the playbook, and getting to know my teammates," Mariota said. "… For me, I am just going to focus on what I have to do."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.