Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota can completely relate to Houston Texans’ rookie Deshaun Watson when it comes to being a mobile quarterback.
It’s not easy being an NFL quarterback. It’s even harder when you’re an elusive quarterback like Houston Texans’ rookie Deshaun Watson. Given the fact that he has to be very conscious of doing his best to avoid hits.
Unlike in college, defenders in the NFL are some of the biggest and strongest men in the world that can end a player’s season or career in one hit.
Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Marcus Mariota can relate to Watson, since he’s also a mobile quarterback that often uses his feet to make plays.
Mariota revealed what advice he has for Watson as the Titans and Texans get ready to square off this Sunday.
From State of the Texans:
"“Just be himself,” Mariota said of Watson. “Don’t stray away from what’s gotten you to this point and just continue to make plays. I think he’s done well so far and hopefully he’ll have a bright career in front of him.”“You don’t want to stray away from what’s made you the player that you are. I think if you play within the system, do your best to do what the coaches ask of you and just play your game, you’ll find some success,” Mariota said of quarterbacks like Watson and himself.“I think for all of us, we just want to come in and try to make an impact and be the best players that we can be for our teams,” Mariota stated. “I don’t think it really matters what system you come from in college. I think if you are determined and you believe in the system that you’re playing in (in) the league, you can make it work.”"
What Mariota said makes sense.
The last thing Watson needs to do is to stop being the player that he is. His playing style is the reason he was able to help lead Clemson to two straight National title games. Which of course led to one championship title win for the Tigers.
Related Story: Bill O’Brien has spoken to Deshaun Watson about protecting himself
Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien revealed this week that he has spoken with Watson about protecting himself as a runner.
All Watson can do is watch guys like Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and take notes on how they avoid taking big hits.
At the end of the day, I believe Watson is smarter than players like Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III, who could never stay healthy.
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Comment below and give us your thoughts on Mariota’s advice.