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NFL Preseason: Titans expected to play Marcus Mariota “extensively” in preseason opener

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 31, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans Marcus Mariota (8) looks to pass during his first day of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans Marcus Mariota (8) looks to pass during his first day of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans are planning on getting an extended look at quarterback Marcus Mariotta during the team’s preseason opener.

The Tennessee Titans made a big investment by selecting quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft and they showed they were committed to him being the team’s starting quarterback when they inked him to a four-year, $24.2 million contract with a $15.9 million signing bonus. Now, they appear ready to show that they are committed to him under center as early as the team’s first preseason game.

According to Ed Werder of ESPN, Mariota is expected to get an “extensive look” during the team’s preseason opener on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Werder also goes on to note that Mariota won’t be held to alternating series either.

Mariota was the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner during his junior year at Oregon, throwing for 4,454 yard, 42 touchdowns, and four interceptions for the Ducks. That kind of performance quickly rocketed him up draft boards and he was selected behind Jameis Winston of Florida State as the second pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

So far, the results have been great for Mariota in training camp as well, with the quarterback setting the bar quite high for himself early on. According to the Tennessean, Mariota has thrown 186 passes in preseason drills without throwing a single interception, That’s pretty impressive stuff and has caused some uproar at camp while teammates tease him about when the first one will come. Many just want him to get it out of the way now before he gets to the time of the year when the games count.

The Titans are counting on Mariota stepping up and taking the reins of a quarterback position that has been lackluster in seasons past. Last season, Tennessee handed the ball to Charlie Whitehurst, Zach Mettenburger, and Jake Locker, and the three of them combined to throw for 3,731 yards on 298-for-510 passing with 20 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Tennessee will begin its preseason schedule on Friday night against Atlanta, and then play three more preseason match-up before opening the season on the road at Tampa Bay. That game will be very significant, as it will feature the first match-up between Mariota and the man who preceded him in the NFL Draft, Jameis Winston.

Next: NFL 2015: X-Factors for all 32 NFL teams

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