The Tennessee Titans are being very prudent in quarterback Marcus Mariota’s development.

While there have been more read-option elements in the offense lately, and Mariota is good when he scrambles, the Titans don’t rely on his running ability. When you rely on that, you end up with a quarterback who can’t play from the pocket. Maybe the Titans would get some better results immediately by asking Mariota to run more, but they are developing Mariota to be a pocket passer. And there are ups and downs that go along with that.

Mariota has made 18 NFL starts. Although we’re living in a world of instant gratification, Mariota is right where he should be in his development. That means there are some good things about his play, and some things he needs to work on too. He is still a beat late on some throws, and can struggle with consistent accuracy. He’ll perceive pressure that isn’t there, something else you’ll find in many young pocket quarterbacks. The Titans aren’t living with extreme ups and downs, because there is a certain stability to Mariota’s game, but he has to get better in some areas. That’s normal.

Since the Titans are asking Mariota to be a pocket quarterback, it’s part of their responsibility to help him within the scheme. The Titans have stuck to their identity of a power-running team, but they’re doing better in putting Mariota in positions to succeed. Early in the season I thought there wasn’t much fusion between the run plays and pass plays, with practically different formations for runs and passes. The Titans have very little speed on offense and had no vertical element to the offense early on. They were easy to defend. Tennessee is adjusting to change that.

The Titans are expanding their offense to include some more shot plays (deep passes), especially on early downs off play action. On the Titans’ first possession of the third quarter last week against the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee called a shot play. There was play action, and Rishard Matthews ran a deep sail route. The vertical release inside got Matthews screaming at safety Derrick Kindred in the matchup the Titans wanted. Matthews made a nice diving catch on a well-thrown pass by Mariota. This is how you create big plays in the pass game for your young quarterback. This one went for 43 yards.

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It’s important for the Titans to help Mariota get comfortable (perhaps that’s why there are a few more read-option elements in the offense lately, although it hasn’t become a staple). Mariota at times this year has looked tentative in the pocket and has left throws on the field. Part of that is being a young quarterback, but he’ll need to improve on making quicker decisions.

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