Marcus Mariota begins to lose grip as problems go up?

And that's because nothing that happened on Sunday would change the discussion parameters regarding Marcus Mariota this season. Not even a Sunday as scandalous as this one. These parameters are as follows:

• This is obviously a crucial season for Mariota's future and future with the Titans, and it will be a complete evaluation of the season. It will have outbreaks and lulls.

• The fall he and the Tennessee offensive experienced last season prompted Titans' brass to change coaches, and this change will be largely perceptible thanks to the prism of his performance.

• The reality of the scarcity of people capable of playing at the NFL quarterback position tells us that the Titans would have to consider leaving Mariota after last season's performance. If it is this season the average of what it has been in the first three, I think that a long-term extension is an easy choice.

• All that is wrong with the passing game is not his fault. Anything wrong with the passing game can not be everyone's fault. All quarterbacks are prone to falls, bad roads, poor protection, bad play and a weak racing game, but there are still games to be played and the good ones are doing enough.

• Backup Blaine Gabbert is not and will not be a competitor to Mariota's work. Already.

That's all. End of the conference Leave your apples on the desk and your correspondence e-mails in the inbox. We can now talk about Mariota's season performance in this context and start again after the Titans open Sunday at home against the Houston Texans, and continue until we have a clear idea of ​​how this is going to happen. will pass.

Mariota was not very good on Sunday, and he was really bad after an injury to the shoulder or elbow that stole her feelings in her fingers. He threw two passes that turned into interceptions and sat the rest of the way. He finished 9th for 16 for 103 yards, no touchdowns and two choices, for a cautionary score of 37.4.

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More: Titans vs. Miami Dolphins: Marcus Mariota injured and other things to know

He stated afterwards that he should probably have thought about coming back after the injury. The injury, by the way, came on a shot that should have seen William Hayes penalized for unnecessary roughness. The fact that it is a transfer on a run / pass option does not change the fact that even the quarterbacks who have the ball would be protected by a flag 99 times out of 100 in today's match .

TO CLOSE

Joe Rexrode and Erik Bacharach defeat the Titans 27 to 20 defeats against the Dolphins in Miami
George Walker, Tennessee

So, there is an excuse available for Mariota. Her favorite target, Delanie Walker, will likely not be available for the rest of the season due to a leg injury in Sunday's game, a blow for Walker and his team. It can also be an excuse for Mariota.

To be clear, he is not looking for it. But he must recover quickly and understand things quickly to give the Titans a chance to avoid an early hole they may not get out of. After the Texans, it's Jacksonville on the road and Philadelphia home.

Nothing less than Mariota at his best could mean 0-4, and he was far from his best in the first game.

"Like everyone else, I thought there were times when he seemed confident and comfortable, doing good things," said Titans coach Mike Vrabel. the rest of us. "And then, like a lot of other players and a lot of coaches, it just was not enough."

Mariota and this attack are still new from each other, and Matt LaFleur is his fourth player in four years. The two practical excuses. But at the start of Sunday's game, when the Titans could have taken control of the game, Mariota's lack of precision was the problem.

A little behind Luke Stocker on a clever game-action pass that should have scored. Start late to open Walker in the end zone. Do not lead Corey Davis properly in a fourth game that was interrupted.

"If I give him a precise ball," said Mariota about Davis, "I think he probably could have scored."

He is probably right. He is always responsible. But it's a discussion about performance, and the Titans need it to change quickly.