Anyways, What does everyone think of Mariota??? If I am the Bucs, I take a long hard look at Winston, at least he played in a pro style offense for two years. I know he is a fool off the field but few can match his ability to throw the football on it....
I'd have some serious reservations about taking him #1. From a pure skills standpoint, Winston is the safer pick between the two.
I think there is a legitimate concern about Mariota's red zone play. Something about when those windows tighten up. He made some awful throws down there last night. Missed a wide open TE in the flat on third down, a couple of overthrows. Even watching the Rose Bowl against FSU, he seemed to have some struggles on some throws.
Winston has an absolute cannon. I think he has some character/immaturity issues but he is a very solid pocket passer and should translate well to the pros if he can just keep his head on straight.
I am bias, I have been a FSU football fan for the last 20 years or so. IMO Winston is the best QB in college football and it's not even close. If he kept his nose clean off the field, the Bucs would have already picked him...hahah...He has a major advantage over Mariota, he played / practiced 3 years in a pro-style offense ( one as a red shirt ). He takes snaps under center, in the gun etc..
The one thing that nobody talks about ( which is mostly Winston's fault ) is that he is a smart kid. Very good student, almost went to Stanford ( he actually got accepted there ). On the field, he is brilliant in terms of reading defenses and going through his progressions. You should read Greg Bedard's article about him.
Everyone is going to say that he threw a lot of picks this year?
Well, yes he did. But he was also playing with two true freshman receivers and a bad offensive line until the end of the year.
IMO - if he keeps his nose clean ( I think Lovie Smith is what he needs ) he will be a great NFL QB, not just a good one, a great one.