Why Are NFL Scouts Having Such a Hard Time Figuring out Marcus Mariota?

March 21, 2015   ·   Matt Bowen   ·   Jump to comments

Marcus Mariota produced ridiculous numbers as quarterback at Oregon, won the Heisman trophy and tore up combine workouts. He's got a great attitude, and scouts love his leadership ability. 
"This kid is smart, humble, a hard worker," one scout told me. "His 'makeup' is why he gets it."
So why is it so hard for these same scouts to grade him?
The problem is the system. Oregon's track-meet-style offense is the first talking point when scouts discuss Mariota and his transition to the pro game.
Mariota was making simplified reads at Oregon. The playbook cuts the field in half for the quarterback, and the tempo creates open throwing windows against gassed defenses. That leads to busted coverages and receivers who can run through the secondary for explosive gains.
He will have to learn pro-style reads and the route progressions to play in the NFL. Scouts also question his footwork, and his overall mechanics will have to im...

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