You're wrong and couldn't be more wrong about Mariota. He went through his progressions on pass plays, made great decisions, is very accurate, has a strong enough arm to make all the throws, is mobile, athletic, and his football intelligence is off the charts. His offense smoke and mirrors? Come on, guy, that's just absurd. You don't rack up the points the Ducks did with smoke and mirrors. The idea that simply because he played in a spread offense in college he can't possibly succeed in the NFL is ridiculous and totally lacking in logic.
It is Shane Ray, I know he plays DE but he is a very light DE, at 6'3 240 he is not a prototypical DE in a 3-4 alignment. They are normally bigger, that why Quintons experience at LB was not a good one, he was still too big for that position. I know he is listed as DE, but he would be a good fit at his size for the Jets at OLB. JMO
If I pick between Mariota and Winston I pick Winston. If I pick between Mariota and everyone else I pick Mariota. He isn't my favorite prospect but he can run and has the tools to make all the throws. If he can transition mentally he's a franchise changer, if he can't make that transition than nobody else would be a true franchise changer so who gives a damn if it doesn't work out. Nobody knows the true answer yet it's all guesses and speculation so we're compelled to take our chances on the QB that could change everything for this team, whatever those chances are or aren't.
Reading the Defense Mariota clearly has a strong grasp on Oregon's playbook—a fact that is a positive check mark on his resume— but little is asked of him in terms of reading the opposing defense. This is one of the first points brought up by his detractors, and it is true—to an extent. Mariota does read the defense before the snap, as do all quarterbacks. Even in an offense that is described by some as gimmicky, he needs to see how the defense is lined up so he is prepared for blitzes and coverages. He clearly does this and even audibles at times to adjust to the defensive formation. Where he is lacking in his defensive fluency, however, is after the snap. On certain plays, such as the read option, Mariota is proficient at making strong decisions based on defensive movement. But his experience reading defenses from the pocket is limited. In the NFL, Mariota will face defenses that do a much more efficient job of disguising their blitzes and coverages, forcing him to make adjustments after the snap. Oregon's offense hasn't adequately prepared him for this due to the high percentage of quick throws designed to hit open receivers within one or two seconds of the snap. It's certainly reasonable to expect Mariota to develop these skills at the next level, but it is a concern teams will have about his NFL-readiness as a rookie.
Doesn't mean spit what he played in college unless he's drafted by a team that plays a 4-3. He's projected as an OLB in the NFL. Historically, most 3-4 OLBs played DE in college because until recently, few colleges played a 3-4 D alignment.
Wayne, your right, technically he is listed as DE, and that's why I initially was confused, but with his size it's not practical to play DE in a 3-4, thats why he would be moved to OLB if he were selected by a team that plays 3-4. He is similar in size to Shazier who was selected by the steelers last year...6'2 / 239
Dude, you are clueless. Just because he is listed as a DE at Mizzou doesn't mean shit. If you've been following football for any time at all or know anything about the NFL, players change positions all the time moving from college to the NFL. 240 collegiate DEs don't play DE in the NFL. If you think they do, then you are a clueless twit and should stay in "Wayne's World." Anyone who has followed the draft and knows anything about football, knows that 240 pound collegiate DEs don't continue as DEs in the NFL. That's too light for even a 4-3 DE in the NFL. LB is his only hope in the NFL.
Not sold on Ray he's inconsistent.. If we go pass rusher I want Williams or Gregory. I'd take either Mariota or Winston but I doubt either will fall to 6... Cooper will be gone.. I will be shocked if the raiders don't take him 4th overall.
Hahaha man it's easy to get under your skin, I'm just saying that he did not play any linebacker at all in college and he would have to play linebacker in the nfl. But just like coples it doesn't mean he will be good as playing linebacker in the pros. And trust me you don't know more than me about than anything in football.
ROFLMAO. You weren't under my skin. I just have no patience for stupidity, and dude, you take the cake. Wayne's World is a lot like Wally World. DUMB
He won't get past Oakland. All of the other WRs are available though. The projection is that we get a younger Maclin.
