New Falcons QB Marcus Mariota ready to take the reins from Matty Ice

After the Atlanta Falcons despatched quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, the staff was in want a full-time beginning quarterback and Marcus Mariota is able to be that man.

“These are large footwear to fill, little question,” Mariota mentioned Friday, per ESPN. “I believe, for me, one thing I positively discovered over the course of my profession is that you could’t examine your self to different folks. What Matt did right here, what he’s completed right here, is actually greatness, and for me, I simply should form of carve my very own path.

“I respect what he’s performed, respect what he’s been for this group, and the most effective factor that I can do is attempt to put my finest foot ahead and be the most effective participant that I may be.”

Whereas the 28-year-old hasn’t been promised the beginning function, he’s seemingly strolling right into a beginning job for the primary time because the 2019 season. Again then, he was the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and their then-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who’s now the Falcons’ coach.

The previous Oregon QB was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill that season and went on to again up Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr for 2 years.

He performed in 11 video games over the previous two seasons, finishing 60% of his passes for 230 yards, a landing and an interception.

ESPN studies the No. 2 decide within the 2015 NFL draft 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 and 76 touchdowns with 44 interceptions.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota passes towards the Pittsburgh Steelers within the first half of a preseason NFL soccer sport Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Picture/Mark Zaleski)

In his ultimate season with the Titans, he accomplished 59.4% of his passes for 1,203 yards and 7 touchdowns with two interceptions in seven video games. ESPN studies that by the tip of his time with the staff, Mariota mentioned he was “mentally and bodily beat up,” and mentioned he has discovered lots over the previous three seasons.

“Throughout my time in Tennessee, we went by way of loads of various things. I went by way of teaching adjustments, went by way of a damaged ankle, a few of these issues that folks would name adversity,” Mariota mentioned. “At that time limit in my profession in 2019, I used to be drained. I used to be simply form of bored with all of the turnover, was bored with being beat up, and I wasn’t taking part in effectively, and on the finish of the day, this can be a performance-based enterprise, and if you’re not taking part in effectively, issues occur, and I understood that.

“These final couple of years for me was an excellent reset. I obtained an opportunity to take a step again, study, and I really feel like I’ve and these experiences have created loads of worth for me.”

Mariota mentioned he was interested in the Falcons due to Smith, who he believes will at all times be sincere with him. The QB mentioned he wasn’t beforehand speaking to Smith sufficient and was simply “attempting to do no matter I might to please the coach” throughout his time in Tennessee.

Mariota mentioned he expects the communication will likely be higher in Atlanta due to the issues he discovered with the Raiders. Smith mentioned a part of what contributed to why he needed to convey Mariota in was due to the belief they’d with one another, ESPN studies.

On this Jan. 19, 2020, file photograph, Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Marcus Mariota warms up earlier than the NFL AFC Championship soccer sport towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel, File)

“There’s been loads of progress from him and myself. Mockingly, they’re fully completely different gamers, however Ryan Tannehill was on this scenario once we obtained Ryan,” Smith mentioned Wednesday. “So Marcus is a high-end expertise similar to Ryan was. He was a first-round decide. He’s in a distinct spot in his profession, and I belief Marcus, and Marcus, he’s going to come back in right here and he’s going to offer us every little thing he’s obtained.”

Mariota mentioned that on the finish of the day, he’s excited concerning the alternative to be in Atlanta and taking part in for Smith.