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Marcus Mariota off to turnover-filled start (VIDEO)

By Matt Verderame

May 26, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans first round draft pick quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes during OTA drills at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans first round draft pick quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes during OTA drills at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans are resting all of their hopes and dreams of the future on quarterback Marcus Mariota. Tennessee drafted Mariota on April 30 with the second-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, hoping that the University of Oregon star and Heisman Trophy winner will jump-start the lousy franchise.

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If Friday night is any indication, Mariota might have a little bit of learning to do. Mariota was sacked quickly by the Atlanta Falcons on one play during his first possession before head coach Ken Whisenhunt called for a screen pass. The result was highly unfortunate for Titans supporters.

Mariota either did not see Falcons linebacker Justin Durant, or just made a terrible throw. Either way, the result was an interception being returned to the Titans’ 9-yard line. Atlanta was able to turn that drive into a field goal, making the score 10-0 Falcons. On the next series, things only got uglier on third down …

This is obviously to be expected. Mariota is going to be learning throughout the season, coming in from a one-read system at Oregon. Mariota needs to grasp the system and get to a point where the speed of the NFL is not overwhelming. Still, the throw was pretty rough. Mariota needs to handle the pressure a bit better than that, or Tennessee will be looking at an ugly campaign.

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