Marcus Mariota Talks To Joe
March 16th, 2015
Today is Marcus Mariota Day at One Buc Palace, where the University of Oregon quarterback plans to get to know Lovie Smith, Team Glazer and Jason Licht.
Last night, it was Joe’s turn to get to know Mariota.
Mariota arrived in Tampa on Sunday after hanging out with Chucky at Disney World, where the Bucs’ Super Bowl head coach grilled and drilled him for his famous “QB Camp” show on BSPN.
Joe caught up with Mariota for some conversation. As advertised, Mariota was very polite, soft-spoken and a man of limited words.
Mariota told Joe about his time with Chucky, and a highlight there was Mariota saying of Chucky, “He’s a very smart man.”
Ironically, Mariota was most open about his feelings on the media.
Joe asked Mariota to discuss how he’s been adjusting to pre-draft media demands and that aspect of his future job. Mariota’s done several interviews in recent days, from getting peppered with questions at his pro day last week, followed by event appearances in Atlantic City and New Orleans.
“Personally, I try to stay out of the spotlight as much as I can. I really don’t like the media in terms of the spotlight aspect of it,” Mariota said. “I’ve been asked to do media, in terms of being available, and I’ve tried to accommodate. I try to handle it by being myself and hope that’s enough.”
Joe found that answer intriguing, especially since Mariota recently talked about potentially playing for the Eagles or Jets, two teams playing in media pressure cookers.
On Jameis Winston, Mariota said, “He’s a good guy, being able to get to know him a little bit. I think he’s a good football player.”
Joe asked Mariota if any personal trait of Winston’s stood out, and Mariota went right for the playing field over personality.
“Watching him closely the past few years, then seeing him on the field in person and working with him a little bit on the field, you see those qualities that make him a good football player,” Mariota said.
A chunk of Joe’s chat with Mariota was off-the-record, and Joe’s not going to share. Sorry.
Joe will say Mariota comes to the Bucs better off for his extended time meeting with the Tennessee Titans and Chucky. Devoted to learning from the pre-draft process, Mariota likely will be a much more polished interview than he would have been two weeks ago, when Winston first visited One Buc Palace.
March 16th, 2015 at 5:16 am
“A chunk of Joe’s chat with Mariota was off-the-record, and Joe’s not going to share. Sorry.”
Brag-much? wtf are you telling your readers this for? Then what did you talk about on record? This guy might be the face of the franchise and this is what you give us? Seriously, Joe?
Sir, what “brag?” Not sure why you are making stuff up and/or being mean. Frankly, the only reason Joe mentioned that was to avoid the chorus of comments like, “Hey Joe, you talked to Mariota and you didn’t ask him XX? What an idiot you are.” Not everything in every interview is for public consumption because a guy being interviewed won’t want everything out there. Also, only a percentage of any interview is interesting, and Joe only shares what Joe finds interesting.”–Joe
March 16th, 2015 at 5:29 am
That’s fine. Grease the skids. Just in case the glazers are fool enough to take Mariota. You obviously want to build a rapport with the guy. It’s cool Joe.
Some of your readers have brains. (Most of them are Winston Believers it seems though)
March 16th, 2015 at 5:30 am
Hey joe. Why do you call it BSPN?
March 16th, 2015 at 5:31 am
The face of the Titans maybe.
I think Mariota can make it bigger in the NFL than Winston and if it were my team, I’d draft him, but Winston can play too, and the difficulty level for getting Mariota up to his potential is a lot harder than getting Winston there. Knowing the Bucs, a QB project would be a waste of a draft pick.
March 16th, 2015 at 6:43 am
Khaled Says:
March 16th, 2015 at 5:16 am
“A chunk of Joe’s chat with Mariota was off-the-record, and Joe’s not going to share. Sorry.”
Brag-much? wtf are you telling your readers this for? Then what did you talk about on record? This guy might be the face of the franchise and this is what you give us? Seriously, Joe?
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You’re right, he might be face of the franchise some day. And if Joe ever wants to get an interview with him again, talking about off the record stuff probably ensures that never happens. Nothing wrong with mentioning that elements were OTR, a lot wrong with saying what those things are.
March 16th, 2015 at 6:54 am
Winston is the pick this is just a smoke screen. The quiet, system guy, limited interceptions, too athletic , non huddling project has no chance. This guy barely made it in college football.
March 16th, 2015 at 6:58 am
Khaled says: “brag-much?” (really… a hyphen in between brag and much. Why?)
Hell, if I had a great idea for a cool Joe website and could get one-on-one interviews with the best college and NFL players, I would brag a bit.
Good interview. Thanks Joe.
March 16th, 2015 at 7:01 am
MTM Says:
Winston is the pick this is just a smoke screen. The quiet, system guy, limited interceptions, too athletic , non huddling project has no chance. This guy barely made it in college football.
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A Heisman Trophy winner has no chance? More deep thought from the Winston homers.
March 16th, 2015 at 7:03 am
I probably was good stuff about Mariota, and that’s why he will not mention it. Anything that can negatively impact Shameis (the next tenant of the Orient Street Hotel) he would rather not disclose.
March 16th, 2015 at 7:04 am
So all the concerns you have about Mariota you couldn’t ask him. Not surprised.
March 16th, 2015 at 7:05 am
Good morning Marcus & welcome to Tampa! Let me inject some of your cool Jawaiian music here. Enjoy!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLAA651A76F0E4831B&v=uinUZuvHIxs
March 16th, 2015 at 7:20 am
Joe….did you ask him the one obvious question?…..Do you want to be a Buc?
March 16th, 2015 at 7:36 am
We get it. A number of the gator and/or anti Florida State crowd doesn’t like Jameis. But unless something totally unforeseen happens Jameis is going to be the pick for the Bucs and I think his skill set will help him eventually become an elite QB in the NFL
March 16th, 2015 at 7:48 am
Please stop with the Gator/Anti-FSU comments. Sorry I am a Gator fan (parents went there when Spurrier was the QB)(knew him), can’t stand FSU, BUT……. I am all for Winston or Mariota. i believe Mariota may be the better long run QB but L&L will need someone who can come in quickly. After a 2-14 season they pretty much have to draft Winston. If they were say 5 or 6 wins they may have some wiggle room but they are in win now mode. I’m for taking any player to make the Bucs better (Hardy, Incognito, etc..). Don’t think we are going to trade Glennon. We would have by this point.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:01 am
The suspense is killing me!
March 16th, 2015 at 8:06 am
Doesn’t like the spotlight? Has any one told him to expect just that in an NFL uniform?
Noticeably nervous at combine and admitted to it
Noticeably nervous at pro day and admitted to it
Um and Uh
Don’t like spotlight
The red flags are beating us over the head, trying to get our attention!
March 16th, 2015 at 8:11 am
How has Joe’s opinion of Mariota changed after the interview, if any?
March 16th, 2015 at 8:15 am
This guy mastered his college offense. Can you really say that about Winston? I don’t think so.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:16 am
Well I hope you get more with him today, I know he’s not your precious Winston.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:31 am
Marshawn Lynch doesn’t like the spotlight either. Is that a red flag? Some of ya reach really really really far.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:35 am
Have to agree with Chef Paul a little bit. An NFL QB always is in the spotlight…but doesn’t mean he won’t be a good qb. But all these comparisons between Mariota and Leaf and Mariota and Winston, Winston and Leftwich, and Winston and every other bust qb, are stupid and redundant. We are gonna have one these young men and I’m excited about the possibility of winning again. I don’t care who any of u like…if he makes our team better keeps his nose clean than im cool…
March 16th, 2015 at 8:36 am
Joseph Mamma Says:
March 16th, 2015 at 8:15 am
This guy mastered his college offense. Can you really say that about Winston? I don’t think so.
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Winston won a National Championship and only lost one game in college. I would say he did better than Mariota on both accounts. I like Mariota but I want Winston to be our QB.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Skyline,
No its not a red flag for a Running Back. Not all positions are created equally. Theres no reaching at all.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:38 am
Sounds like Mr. Mariota needs Tampa…. Small Market which garnishes ZERO national interest. Tampa media is made up of bloggers and hacks therefore he would be put under no pressure also the expectations here are much less in those cities. Our fan base is content with other teams garbage and prove it deals to the walking wounded to field a roster. Sounds like Marcus needs Tampa.
New York, Boston Chicago and of Course Philly media are drooling at the opportunity to eat this kid for lunch. I don’t think it’s right but that is how those cities work.
Thankfully Tampa needs Winston and thankfully Winston will be the bucs choice. I think Marcus will do well in a few years. I wish him nothing but luck in the future. Now let’s win some games with Winston and get a real head coach in here.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:39 am
Joseph Mamma are you Barry’s mom too???
March 16th, 2015 at 8:46 am
I could careless if he doesn’t like the spotlight. I’m not here to watch him speak I’m here to see him win games. You also have to understand his culture to know why he isn’t self centered.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:47 am
“This guy mastered his college offense. Can you really say that about Winston? I don’t think so.”
yep. like comparing crayons (mariota) to calligraphy pens(winston). both can write letters but one is more advanced and elegant. don’t think the bucs use big picture boards, do they?
March 16th, 2015 at 8:51 am
Lol…nobody uses calligraphy pens anymore. Phased out. Thanks for proving people’s point about the direction of the NFL. Calligraphy-Winston and Computer-Mariota.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:53 am
So let me get this right, you had an opportunity to speak to MM and the only questions you can publicly share that you find interesting are two questions about the other QB in the draft. if you were MM, what would u think of Joe? I’m guessing it may be your last interview. I have never seen someone so biased.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:56 am
A lot of times persons that love the spotlight do dumb things to get in it. It sounds like he just wants to play football.
Could Winston be one that loves the spotlight and does things to get in it?
March 16th, 2015 at 8:58 am
ummmmmmmmmmm that would still be crayons skyline. nice try though. mariota is for suckers!
March 16th, 2015 at 9:05 am
Joe….in this day where people try so hard to draw attention to themselves for every little thing, I find Mariota incredibly refreshing. It was one of the things that made me like Mike Alstott so much. It was always about the team, and not individual accomplishments. I think Mariota will be a very good QB and if he is chosen by the Bucs, I think he’d be a great fit!
March 16th, 2015 at 9:05 am
There was more to my list than just spotlight, guys. Each one of those things on its own is no big deal. Put them all together in one package and it’s a big deal IMO.
And why does it have to be one extreme or the other? So if he doesn’t mind the spotlight, it makes him self centered? And a person is either running as fast as he can towards the spotlight, or running away as fast as he can?
What’s wrong with Russel Wilson, Both Mannings, Brady, Brees? None of them run towards the spotlight, but none of them mind it either.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:09 am
Sounds like Mariota haters are getting nervous with Mariota here. Welcome to Tampa Mariota. Sign him already.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:11 am
Mariota to Evans TD. Mariota to Jackson TD. Will be nice to have a winning season again.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:14 am
it’s okay. josh freeman was a wallflower too, and it’s not like inserting him into the fishbowl of the NFL media and the NFL locker room went poorly. oh wait, it did. i know far more successful NFL QBs who have a little bit of a reckless streak off the field than i know NFL QBs who come into interviews 2 notches above a Marshawn Lynch on the engagement scale
March 16th, 2015 at 9:17 am
The problem for Mariota is the NFL forces quarterbacks to be public spectacles and media darlings. This is what the NFL wants. Mariota can’t avoid that and needs embrace it and work at it. Maybe he will. Maybe he’ll crumble like Josh Freeman.
Those of you blasting Joe here have problems. Nobody here knows (except Joe) what was asked and answered. I don’t need to read that Mariota said he likes Tampa, likes football, likes sunshine, likes the NFL, can learn NFL offense and thinks the Bucs are a good organization.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:33 am
Winston isn’t attending the draft. Red flag?
March 16th, 2015 at 9:41 am
I want to know if Mariota wants to be a Buccaneer. I have never once heard the guy express any interest in playing for this team. I want the player who is ready & excited to win now and be a bucs offensive leader.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Yes- A Red Flag with a pirate in the middle of it.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:56 am
I asked this in a previous thread and I’ll ask this again here:
Who cares? Why does it matter?
March 16th, 2015 at 10:11 am
Some interview. One or two questions on Mariota, and then the rest was about what he thought about Winston. Quality of product certainly dropped on this one.
And the media point was designed to make him look bad. 1-2 weeks on the radio with big dawg and he’ll get over any issues.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:12 am
Skyline Crew Says:
March 16th, 2015 at 9:09 am
“Sounds like Mariota haters are getting nervous with Mariota here. Welcome to Tampa Mariota. Sign him already.”
Ha h aha that could not be further from the truth.
Nervous. ha ha ha
March 16th, 2015 at 10:15 am
I’m guessing the off the record stuff was concerning what happened with Chucky, which I get completely.
However, wasting the rest of the interview with questions on Winston? Dumb. I bet Joe won’t waste and interview with Winston by asking about Mariota. Or the media.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Skyline Crew Says
“Winston isn’t attending the draft. Red flag?”
I want Mariota…but how the heck do you know this???? Didn’t you also say he wasn’t going to throw at the combine??? Or was that someone else?
Sorry, I don’t buy it. The number one pick ALWAYS attends the draft. It would be an embarrassment to the league if he did not.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:20 am
Stanglassman Says
“I want to know if Mariota wants to be a Buccaneer. I have never once heard the guy express any interest in playing for this team.”
Now there is a question Joe could have asked, instead of “what do you think about Winston?”
Maybe Joe kept that one off the record…
March 16th, 2015 at 10:23 am
Joe, I have to agree with others and ask you why did you question him as well as print his comments on Winston? The article should have been about how he sees himself fitting in with Bucs, but instead your manlove for Jameis just continues with your biased love for him over Mariota. I have no problem with you making your preference known (which you continually do), however as a journalist, why not pen articles that allow us the readers insight to both guys on an equal keel. This site has become about biased as the political left media. Maybe Hillary will join your site soon too! 🙂
Simple answer, fellas, it’s the same reason Gerald McCoy still gets questions about Ndamukong Suh. Winston and Mariota will be forever linked. Joe was interested in knowing Mariota’s impression of Winston, you know, the guy the Bucs likely will draft. Beyond that, what Joe finds worthy of printing is Joe’s call, as it would be for any other media outlet, for any player. A training camp or postgame interview might be 10 minutes, and one paragraph is used. Feel free to continue your conspiracy theories.–Joe
March 16th, 2015 at 10:31 am
And the media point was designed to make him look bad.
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He better get use to it because thats what the media usually do. Jameis wouldn’t be so hated if it werent for the crappy media.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Hey Bonzai believe me now? I posted it before Joe.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:51 am
I’ll tell you what I’m nervous about. I’m nervous as hell we draft JF5.2
March 16th, 2015 at 10:55 am
Great interview… I’m sure Mariota loved all the questions about what he thinks of Jameis Winston…
No wonder he doesn’t like doing interviews…
March 16th, 2015 at 11:14 am
[…] Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota wasn’t damaged talking to Joe last night, as he was still able to make his scheduled trip to One Buc Palace today for a day full of meetings […]
March 16th, 2015 at 11:49 am
I can only imagine Joe’s questions
“So what do think Jameis Winston trade marking Famous Jameis”?
“Do you you have a hot sister”?
“Have you ever met Bruno Mars”?
March 16th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Joe no post on when you spoke to Winston?
March 16th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
@MTM, I don’t usually comment very much on here, but when I see a comment as silly as yours I feel compelled. This guy barely made it in college football, it makes me wonder if you watch college football or any football for that matter. We all have our preference as to which Qb we want, this man won a Heisman trophy. Voted by college football writers, he may not be your choice, but get a clue.
March 16th, 2015 at 2:08 pm
I don’t get how Jameis is considered the best Qb for right now but Mariota is the better long term prospect. Makes no logical sense. If he’s better now he’ll be better later. Just more pretty words from armchair draftniks. I’d be happy to have a friendly debate with anyone on this.
March 16th, 2015 at 2:17 pm
His responses are consistent with other NFL stars from the Samoan/Hawaiian culture. They are great one-on-one, great leaders – just not real big on bragging. Their culture values humility in public.
This is a cultural trait – the very same as when washed-up US baseball players used to go to Japan…the Japanese were very turned off by the “me first” attitude of the US players. The players learned that their “brand” didn’t sell the same in Japan…so the ones that became successful there began going through classes on Japanese culture, suddenly they began to see endorsement contracts from major Japanese brands…
It’s the same with Marcus Mariota, only in reverse. Just like Deon Sanders, when he came out of college he was a bit timid, not a talker – he invented a personality called “Neon Deon” to handle the commercial demands of a professional football player. Worked great, it even benefitted his career…however, that’s NOT the real Deon Sanders, two if my friends heard he was living in Plant City during the period of time he was trying-out for professional baseball. They were avid fishermen, and also avid FSU fans – being avid FSU fans, they knew Deon LOVED to bass fish. So one day they showed up on his front porch with gear in hand and knocked on Deon’s door. To their surprise, he answered. They explained who they were & what they were there for – and asked if he wanted to go fishing – he told them “wait right there, I got my gear in the next room…”. Long story short, they did this once a week during spring training. They said Deon is NOTHING like the guy on the football field. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, loves fishing and really opened up to my friends. They still chat with Deon, until a few years ago he would call them to go fishing whenever he was in town.
See, same deal. It’s just that Mariota hasn’t developed the media personality yet…but according to Oregon media, he’ll adjust quite well.
Smart guy, don’t forget – he graduated in 3 years with a degree in science. He will soon have a process for how to attack this new phase of life…
March 16th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
You had your chance to interview Mariota and scoop the world, instead you blew it by wasting his time on Winston. It sounded like a teenage girl asking him if he ever met Justin Bieber, what was he like?
Disappointing because I thought you were better journalists than that, but your fanaticism’s clearly gettin’ the better of ya. Oh well.
Really comical how many of you have had this reaction.–Joe
March 16th, 2015 at 11:27 pm
Did you ask Winston, when he visited the One Buc Place, what he thought of this years Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota?
Great question, except neither Winston nor Mariota (or any college visitor) are made available to media by the Buccaneers, or any team. –Joe