Jon Robinson stresses to Marcus Mariota to avoid the big hit

Today’s MMQB at Sports Illustrated is heavily focused on the upcoming 5th years for both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. We knew those 2 would always be linked after going 1st and 2nd respectively in the 2015 NFL Draft. The debate back then was which would have the more successful NFL career. Unfortunately for both guys (and their teams), the debate now is more focused on if either one of them will ever be a franchise quarterback.

Obviously one of the biggest roadblocks for Marcus Mariota has been his inability to stay healthy. Titans GM Jon Robinson told Albert Breer they have talked about that:

“The thing I’ve stressed to him, and I know our coaches have stressed to him is, Let’s live to play another play,” Robinson said. “Don’t take that hit. If you feel the pocket coming down on you and you take off running, and the ‘backer is coming off of coverage and he’s coming screaming at you, throw the ball away. It’s OK to punt, we’ll get another crack at it. That’s the main thing, it’s stressing to him—to try as best as possible, like all quarterbacks do, to avoid getting hit.”

I don’t think that Mariota’s injuries have come from holding the ball to long or running the ball. Most of his stuff has come when he gets hit in the pocket. Hopefully the added bulk and the upgraded offensive line will help him stay on the field for all 16 games.