Historically Incomparable Mariota Will Set New Standard for NFL Quarterbacks

Joey Holland History

Every spring when the NFL Draft rolls around, scouts and analysts look to compare the best collegiate players to established professional stars. This makes sense to a certain extent, as it provides a level of comfort and perspective for teams deciding between different prospects. The problem is that this process assumes every player entering the draft is comparable to someone …

Can Jeff Lockie Fill the Void?

Jason Selby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When Marcus Mariota was leading the Ducks, everything seemed fine and dandy. Last season rolled along, with much success coming for our men in green and yellow, and black and pink, and white and gray, etc. Towards the end of the season, rumors of Braxton Miller transferring to the other dominant ‘O’ were swirled around, but nothing came of it. In the weeks recovering …

Titans on the Rise?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the Tennessee Titans drafting everyone’s favorite Hawaiian quarterback, many Ducks’ fans were disappointed that Chip Kelly didn’t succeed in trading up for Marcus Mariota.  Some are simply annoyed they didn’t get their favorite player and coach on the same NFL team, while others are worried for Mariota’s future by his going to a bad team like the Titans.  The thing is, …

Roger Goodell’s Secret Draft Day Tweets

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It has to get tiresome for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He steps to the microphone to announce draft picks and gets booed. Sure he handled the Adrian Peterson case with all the finesse of a jackhammer going through creme brulee. Sure he waffled so many times during the Ray Rice case that the 2015 NFL season is sponsored by Bisquick. You bet …

Why the Eagles Fumbled on the Chance to Take Marcus Mariota

Tyler Timm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Within the last year, and especially within the last three months, there has been a lot of speculation about where Marcus Mariota would end up in the NFL draft. Multiple scenarios swirled around as the draft began to get closer and closer. No team was mentioned more than the Philadelphia Eagles, due to the fact that Chip Kelly (the person …

Marcus Mariota Goes No. 2 to the Titans

Adam Kruse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Last night, despite trade speculation with many teams, the Tennessee Titans drafted Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota is now on his way to Tennessee to be introduced to the media, and it appears this pick will stick. “Every minute we spent with him it just felt better and better,” Titans general …

Chip Kelly Update: The Mariota That Got Away

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Chip Kelly always knew it would be tough to draft Marcus Mariota, even before he won the Heisman Trophy, led the Oregon Ducks to the National Championship Game and killed it at the NFL Combine. It didn’t dissuade anybody that Oregon lost the national title to Ohio State, or that Mariota’s pro day wasn’t nearly as good as his combine. …

Three Reasons Marcus Mariota is NFL’s LeBron James

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Every so often, an athlete emerges whose abilities exceed the boundaries of convention and provide a new bright-line of distinction. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James are among the special few whose personal contributions, sportsmanship, and competitive drive forever altered the landscape of professional sports. They became legends who brought hope and championships to their loyal fans. And they were fun to watch, too. So, who will be this generation’s …

Marcus Mariota’s Draft Day Update

Jonathan Cervantes FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

At long last, Draft Day has finally arrived. Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, many young football players will have the opportunity to make their dreams a reality and become part of an NFL team. With what felt like eternity, Duck fans will then know where their former star QB will begin his NFL career. Critics and analysts alike have …

Don Pellum is Excited for the Spring Game and NFL Draft

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In an interview forFishDuck.com on Wednesday, I spoke with Oregon’s defensive coordinator Don Pellum at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene. The Ducks’ defensive coordinator was full of joy and excitement after Oregon completed its final Spring practice on Wednesday morning. The longtime coach also expressed a great deal of enthusiasm when asked if his players are ready to strap on …

Mark Helfrich Praises Marcus Mariota on “NFL AM”

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The 2015 NFL Draft is finally here and the first round is tonight at 5 p.m. PDT on ESPN and the NFL Network. At last, Duck fans will know where Marcus Mariota will start his NFL career. Among critics, Mariota is considered the first- or second-best quarterback – depending on whom you ask — and will likely be a top-5 overall …

Landing Spots for Mariota, Ranked

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With only hours until the NFL Draft, let’s have an arbitrary ranking of the best landing spots for Marcus Mariota. (Is best a subjective term? Of course, but all rankings are subjective. In this case, let’s just go with the common definition of best: Most likely to lead to long-term success for his career by all obvious standards, championships over …