Titans want Marcus Mariota to run more and that's a terrible idea
Mike Mularkey had the interim tag lifted off his head-coach title by the Tennessee Titans shortly after the 2015 season ended.
It was a move that drew a collective "huh?" from a large swath of the football world. After all, Mularkey's resume included two years as the head coach in Buffalo and one in Jacksonville along with several years as an offensive coordinator or position coach.
But, whatever. He has the job and there's no point in debating his merits any longer. The important question to ask is what his plans are going forward. Known as a solid offensive mind, Mularkey told the Tennessean on Feb. 18 that he will try to call more running plays for quarterback Marcus Mariota, while at the same time not exposing him to injury by having extra blockers on said plays. This is all part of what he calls an "exotic smashmouth" approach to offense.
Hmmm, really? Maybe he was exaggerating a bit?
Nope, he doubled down on that comment at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We're going to design runs for Marcus."
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 24, 2016
- @Titans HC Mike Mularkey pic.twitter.com/A7BjIzJaAo
OK, here's why that's a horrible idea.
1. Mariota is not Cam Newton
Not to say that Mariota is small, because he's not. He stands a healthy 6-foot-4, but is carrying just 222 pounds and has more of a sleek physique. Newton, on the other hand, sports a frame that you'd normally find on a defensive end. The Panthers can afford to think nothing of throwing their quarterback into the line of third-and-1. He can match power for power up front and his length allows to him to gain two yards just by falling forward. Mariota isn't that guy.
2. Mariota isn't Russell Wilson
Mariota is much taller than the somewhat diminutive Wilson. And while the latter often scrambles out of the pocket and runs all over the field, have you noticed he never takes a direct hit? He has a preternatural ability to know when to hit the ground or get out of bounds and not take the collisions that have knocked many a lesser quarterback out of games.
This is the danger that Mariota can face:
3. Mariota is physically similar to RG3
Mariota is two inches taller, but they're both similar when it comes to body size. That should give anyone pause.
4. It can cost you your job
Remember why Mularkey even got the job? He was replacing Ken Whisenhunt, who was reportedly fired by the Titans in the middle of the 2015 season for, among other things, not protecting his quarterbacks enough. With that knowledge, why take the risk? All it takes is one offensive lineman to fall down, one running back to miss a blitzing linebacker, one tight end to be slow off the snap and your quarterback is taking a bone-rattling thrashing.
If the Titans fired one coach for playing with fire, you think they'll think twice about doing it again? No way. Smarten up, Mr. Mularkey. It's just not worth it.
