Titans Watch: Five More Days
September 8th, 2015
Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”
It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fan base that hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota.
For those who didn’t take a preseason look at Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, the target of defensive shot-caller Lovie Smith on Sunday, here you go. The video below is from the Week 2 preseason game against a stout Rams defensive front.
Mariota finished the preseason by leading his offense to five scores on 11 drives. Jameis was four of 21.
September 8th, 2015 at 10:12 am
KA should be looking forward to introduce himself to Mariota with the kitchen sink.
September 8th, 2015 at 10:20 am
I have a good friend who has a bad vision for us. He thinks we should have taken Mariota, and thinks we are going to implode this year, starting with this game.
Let’s hope he is wrong – Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2015 at 10:37 am
@Chris
With all due respect to your friend we won’t implode after a single game. Some fans may implode…especially those who have their egos invested in their desire to see us select MM.
This is still just ONE game although I concede it’s important as Joe and you Chris point out for the fans sanity…for me I’m more concerned about the confidence of a young team that realizes the futility of 30-70. We could get the oh noes here we go again if we lay a real egg,
I’ve always believed that the debate about these two players was one of style.
I think they BOTH have bright futures.
Given that they have done NOTHING so far I hesitate to use names of great players. Do not think I’m forecasting Favre or Rodgers level success for these two players. But I think there is a comparion of style.
And so which Pack QB do you love the most? Brett Favre (JW in his dreams) or Aaron Rogers (MM if he’s the real deal) Two HOF QB’s…two completely different styles! For the millionith time…it is “possible” for both of these QB’s to turn out great.
I like and admire MM and hope he fits in well for the folks in Nashville..a great town btw…except of course on Sunday!!! But I’m now glad we took JW. As a Bucs fan I’m tired of being BORED!!! No not just the 30-70 record…again I’m talking about style. Winning the SB was great but I am so over Dungy/Gruden ball. I’d like to tell these guys just where they can pound that rock…lol.
JW may or may not be successful, but I feel certain he will be EXCITING!!!
And yes I get that with a rookie QB…two rookie OL…that alas once again we’re going to be stuck pounding the rock for at least the first half of the season. If Martin is truly back to form as he showed in the PS…it’s going to be lots…and lots..and lots of Dougie.. especially since our young rookie OL are suited for mauling run blocking…pass blocking not so much.
September 8th, 2015 at 10:48 am
People looking at the preseason to determine who was better need to seriously check themselves.
Joe, how many TD drives did Brady lead? Rodgers? Luck?
These things are meaningless. Stats are meaningless. Mariota looked skittish in the pocket, routinely double clutching and throwing with his feet completely out of position. He got away with it in the preseason. Will that translate to the regular season? If he can make it work he’ll be the first QB in league history to be successful while double clutching and throwing without moving his feet
September 8th, 2015 at 11:13 am
What would Buc’s fans rather see, winning game one and go 1-15? Or lose game 1 and finish the season 15-1? Is the first game that important?
September 8th, 2015 at 11:16 am
Joe Cool
Can I follow on your thought line…what would Buc fans rather see…JW toss for 2 TD’s no ints while MM has no TD’s and 2 ints but their special teams and kicker bail the Titans out for the win.
I just want a W!!!
September 8th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Here is my prediction for what it’s worth:
1) Marcus Mariota has a very good chance for breaking some sort of rookie QB record for their NFL debut. Our cover 2 scheme mixed with an abysmal pass rush will lead to him both having wide open targets for dink/dunk passes and a lack of containment leading to good chunks of rushing yardage. Our D has proven they let average quarterbacks have career days with this approach and could prove to be a poison pill for the team…UNLESS
2) The Bucs offense will need to win a shootout with the Titans. Tennessee will put up upwards of 30 pts, and we will need to do the same. It is not impossible, given it’s Dick Lebeau’s defensive scheme they are STILL the Tennessee Titans who owned the number 2 overall pick with a record of 2-14…REGARDLESS
3) Overreaction Monday will hit the nation harder than usual with talk of Mariota being a superstar for said career day. Bucs fans will react accordingly and scrutinization of Winston will head into overdrive. It will then be up to Winston to have the resolve to stay true to his development or implode under the pressure… and THAT my friends is why this game is a MUST WIN for the Bucs offense.
September 8th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Just want to see a good football game! MM being the number 2 pick is the bad dream with Lovie Smith picking/coaching the talent. No matter how good Jose’ thinks JW is, calling him “Jose’s Quarterback” does not make him a winner, more fleet footed, or not have those crazy backwards passes while losing the football.
September 8th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Giving marcus way too much credit, nick. Neither one of these guys are going to absolutely light it up game 1. Stay healthy and gain real game experience is the goal for both. And from what ive heard from people in Nashville is marcus is really struggling. They are pretty worried internally. And i wish absolutely nothing but the best for both of them.
September 8th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Winston couldn’t beat Marcus in college. What makes you think he can in the NFL?
September 8th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
LOL ^
September 8th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
The Rose Bowl was close, McCown didn’t shred the Bucs. Crack problem is very serious!
September 8th, 2015 at 4:41 pm
@Yungry
What couldn’t Winston beat Mariota at in college? Were they in track and field, competing in a 40 yard dash? Otherwise quit making yourself sound ignorant. Football is a team sport last time I watched it.
September 8th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
We all know Winston runs slower than Glennon. Let’s not talk about a track race or head to head contests. Marcus’ stats speak for themselves. Why don’t you compare those since they are individual and not team numbers? I’ll see you on here Sunday evening.
September 8th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Dont see this game as being critical for fan psyche. Judging by everyone on this site excpet for about a half dozen people, the fan base is already in a panic. If we lose we lose. It does not kill the whole season.