John Glennon

jglennon@tennessean.com

A bigger, better conditioned and more vocal Marcus Mariota took the field Tuesday as the Titans took their next step toward the 2016 season.

The second-year pro said he feels much different than he did a year ago at this time, when he was still learning the streets of Nashville and the names of teammates — not to mention the ins and outs of quarterbacking a brand new pro offense.

“Coming out here for the second year, it’s a lot more comfortable, just because it’s all a familiar setting,” Mariota said following the first day of organized team activities. “Last season was brand new — a brand new city, a brand new team. Now kind of being in it for a year, it’s nice to come out here and feel comfortable.”

In addition to being in a more comfortable mental place, Mariota has made some physical changes.

When he first joined the Titans in 2015, he was in good but not great shape, he acknowledged Tuesday. A busy offseason after college, which included plenty of stops on the banquet circuit, had taken a bit of toll on his conditioning.

He took a different approach leading into 2016.

“The first month of this offseason, I just kind of let my body heal up, just from the bumps and bruises of last season,” Mariota said. “I kind of got into it around February and I kind of like where my shape and conditioning is at.”

One difference is that the 6-foot-4 Mariota has put on five pounds, as he’s looking to play this year at 225 pounds. He hopes the increased bulk will help with his durability. Mariota took plenty of hits last season (sacked 38 times in 12 games) and missed four games because of knee injuries.

“Sixteen games is a long season and unfortunately I didn’t make all 16 last year,” Mariota said. “That’s definitely a goal of mine is to play all 16.”

Mariota and the Titans hope a few extra pounds won’t take away any of the former Heisman Trophy winner’s speed. In his rookie season, Mariota carried 34 times for 252 yards and two touchdowns, a total that included an 87-yard touchdown scamper.

“As OTAs continue on, that’s kind of where I’ll see how fast (I still am),” Mariota said. “Hopefully I’ll maintain my speed. For us as an offense, hopefully that will be another weapon.”

A number of teammates have said Mariota also has taken an increased leadership role.

“You go through a whole year, you experience a lot of different things, so you know a lot more,” Mariota said. “From that point, I feel like I can help these guys out, especially the young guys. I can help with knowledge, but I’m not going to try to go out there and be someone who I’m not. But I’m not going to be crazy vocal or anything like that.”

Wide receiver Kendall Wright would not refer to Mariota as “crazy vocal,” but said he’s hearing his quarterback’s voice more than he did as a rookie.

“A big leadership role,” Wright said. “I don’t’ know how comfortable he is with it. He’s a guy that usually doesn’t talk a lot. But he’s out there being vocal and doing what a guy and a leader is supposed to do for his team.”

Wright believes the updated version of Mariota bodes well for the team.

“I’ve seen him grow a lot. That’s going to benefit him and us as a team," he said. "It benefits us a lot when Marcus can go out there and be vocal and still be himself. That’s when he’s at his best. He doesn’t have to change that much.”

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.

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