ATLANTA – The Falcons want a full-time quarterback aside from Matt Ryan for the primary time because the 2007 season, and Marcus Mariota understands the significance of doubtless being that alternative.
“These are nice footwear to fill, for sure,” Mariota stated Friday. “I feel, for me, one thing I’ve positively discovered over the course of my profession is that you could’t evaluate your self to different individuals. What Matt did right here, and what he completed right here, is actually greatness, and for me, to carve my very own path.”
“I recognize what he has completed, I recognize what he has been as much as on this organisation, and the most effective factor I can do is attempt to give my finest and be the most effective participant I will be.”
The 28-year-old Mariota goes into a possible function initially – though he stated he wasn’t assured the job – for the primary time because the 2019 season, when he was quarterback for the Tennessee Titans after which – offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, now head coach of the Falcons. .
Mariota was placed on the bench for Ryan Tannehill that season and finally moved to the Las Vegas Raiders, the place he supported Derek Carr for 2 years. He performed in 11 video games over the previous two seasons, finishing 60% of his passes for 230 yards, touchdowns and interceptions.
2 choose within the 2015 draft, Mariota spent 5 years with the Titans, taking part in in 63 video games with 61 begins and finishing 62.9% of his passes for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns and 44 interceptions.
His ultimate season with the Titans was a battle, although, as he accomplished 59.4% of his passes for 1,203 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions in seven video games. By the top of his time with the Titans, Mariota stated he was “crushed up mentally and bodily,” and stated he is discovered quite a bit over the previous three seasons.
“Throughout my time in Tennessee, we have been by way of quite a lot of various things. I’ve had coaching modifications, I’ve had an ankle fracture, a few of these issues that folks would possibly name an ordeal,” Mariota stated. “At the moment in my profession in 2019, I used to be drained. I’m type of uninterested in each spin, uninterested in hitting, not taking part in properly, and on the finish of the day it’s performance-based work, and if you don’t play properly, issues occur. And I understood it.
“The previous few years for me have been an exquisite reset. I had the chance to take a step again and be taught, and I really feel like I did and these experiences have created a lot worth for me.”
A part of what drew Mariota to the hawks is Smith, who he believes will at all times be true to him. With the Titans, Mariota stated he wasn’t speaking with Smith sufficient and was “attempting to do every thing I may to please the coach.”
Now, Mariota stated, he thinks the connection will likely be higher due to the issues he is discovered with the Raiders. Smith stated Wednesday that a part of the rationale he wished to herald Mariota was due to the belief that they had with one another.
“There’s been quite a lot of progress from him and myself,” Smith stated. “Paradoxically, they’re two fully completely different gamers, however Ryan Tanehill was in that place once we acquired Ryan.” “So Marcus is a top-notch expertise similar to Ryan. He was a first-round choose. He is in a distinct place in his profession, and I belief Marcus, and Marcus, he’ll come right here and provides us every thing he has.
“He has a elegant expertise, and he understands what’s occurred previously. He is discovered from them, I’ve discovered from them, and we’re enthusiastic about this chance.”
Ought to he win the job, Mariota would be the first completely different beginning participant on the Falcons squad since October 27, 2019, when Matt Schwab changed Ryan by way of damage. He would be the first full-time participant aside from Ryan since former Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington performed a key function for almost all of the 2007 season.
Mariota, who will put on the No. 1 in Atlanta as a result of his conventional No. 8 is being utilized by the Falcons’ prime goal receiver, Kyle Bates, stated the workforce reached out to him as soon as he had talks about buying and selling Ryan. Mariota stated Smith requested if he wished to return if Ryan, who was traded with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, determined to depart, and Mariota was intrigued.
Quickly, Mariota was a hawk.
“On the finish of the day, it was much more thrilling in regards to the alternative to be right here,” Mariota stated. To be with Arthur.
