![]() “Obviously, it’s been a couple of years since I started, so a lot of cool emotions. “First and foremost, I’m just really excited for this opportunity,” Mariota said. Mariota plans to make the most of his second chance with the Falcons. The best training is to play in the (exhibition games).” The hardest thing to do right now is to develop young offensive linemen and quarterbacks, from the offensive standpoint. “What he needed to improve and assess where he’s ready – and then developing the young guys. “Where he’s at,” Smith said of the assessment. The Falcons had to see what Mariota could execute. Felt like he had a pretty good (exhibition) season.” “So, you wanted him out there with (the team), seeing what it looked like. He played four drives in the exhibition season and led the team on three scoring drives. Mariota was a little rusty when he joined the Falcons. Last season, the 49ers started Trey Lance in two games. In recent years, the Chiefs started Patrick Mahomes for one game in 2017 as a rookie. It’s hard to find guys that can play quarterback in the NFL, and guys, for different reasons – sometimes a change of scenery – guys learn.” “That’s why those guys get paid the amount of money that they do. “I just think it’s the way the league is,” Smith said. The Panthers, who are desperate for a quarterback in the post Cam Newton-era, had tried to revive Sam Darnold, who went 13-25 in three seasons with the Jets. Also, Baker Mayfield, who wore out his welcome in Cleveland, is getting a second chance with Carolina. In addition to Winston and Mariota, Pittsburgh is going with Mitchell Trubisky, who flamed out in Chicago. Now, second chances are in vogue for quarterbacks. He was there in 2019 as the offensive coordinator when Mariota was benched.Īlso, he had a hand in rejuvenating the career of Ryan Tannehill, who was on his second stop after going 42-46 as a six-year starter in Miami. Smith was a defensive quality-control coach with the Titans in 2011 when they drafted Locker out of the University of Washington. “It’s probably why the market dictates what some of those top guys get paid.” “It kind of like what I said at the beginning, it’s amazing in this country, over 300 (million)-plus people, 32 quarterbacks – it’s hard to find,” Smith said. His success likely emboldened other teams to play their rookie quarterbacks instead of trying to develop them and allow them time to learn how to read NFL defenses. With a powerful rushing attack and a veteran defense, Ryan went 11-5 as a rookie and took the Falcons to the playoffs in 2008. It turns out that Ryan was the exception to the rule. Sometimes, if they’re not in the right environment, guys can have some early failure, but they’re still good players, and you want to give them another opportunity.” “It’s so different from what they’re even asked to do in college. “It’s a hard position to play,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. They hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2008 and decided to attempt to rebuild with Mariota playing. Tennessee also was struggling after missing on quarterback Jake Locker in the 2011 draft. They finished in last place for five consecutive years before drafting Winston and tried to force-feed him. The Bucs had fallen on hard times in the post-Jon Gruden era. Going through our different paths, you always want to see someone like that be successful and given another opportunity.” “Now that we’re kind of going on these different paths and different journeys, that doesn’t change for me,” Mariota said. He was 5-2 as starter and had cut down on his interceptions. Winston was off to a good start with the Saints last season when he suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. I’ve always told him, ‘I’m one of your biggest fans,’ and I’ve always wished him well.” We actually trained together out in Carlsbad in California. “I got to know Jameis during the combine. “It’s such an interesting story, right?” Mariota said. Both quarterbacks, who were forced to play before they were ready, now have a chance to revive their careers.
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