Might QB Sean Mannion fit the Ken Whisenhunt mold?

MOBILE, Ala. —He's a big, strong-armed kid, a classic pocket passer who's very comfortable in a pro-style system.

Many would say that sounds like the description of a Ken Whisenhunt-style quarterback.

So it probably shouldn't be surprising that Oregon State's Sean Mannion said he's felt right at home this week as one of Whisenhunt's North team quarterbacks.

"I feel great in a pro-style offense, and what we're doing here with the Titans, I really feel super comfortable with," the 6-foot-6, 229-pound Mannion said Thursday. "I've noticed a lot of similarities scheme-wise to what I've done. It feels very familiar to me."

Mannion expanded on the similarities he's seen between the Oregon State system – where Mannion threw for more than 13,000 yards during his career – and what he's been learning in Whisenhunt's system this week.

"There's a lot to do under center – a lot of protection responsibilities for the quarterbacks, run-checks for the line, and the passing combos are very similar," Mannion said. "I've noticed that a lot of the stuff is close to being the same. Obviously there's a whole (additional) level of detail here and the names of things are different."

Most analysts are projecting Mannion, a four-year captain at Oregon State, as a middle- to late-round pick. He hopes his experience with Whisenhunt and the Titans' staff this week will benefit him wherever he winds up.

"I certainly have enjoyed really working with Ken Whisenhunt," Mannion said. "I've been saying all week that this is not only a great opportunity to show what we can do, but also a good opportunity to learn. Obviously coach Whisenhunt has a great, long list of quarterbacks he's worked with, so I'm trying to take advantage of that, ask him questions and really try to soak in everything I can."