Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans) vs. Sean Mannion (St. Louis Rams): Start

The St. Louis Rams head to Nashville on Sunday night for the second game on their preseason slate, a primetime matchup against the Tennessee Titans that will mark longtime Titans coach Jeff Fisher’s first return to his former stomping grounds. It went about as poorly as it could have. The Titans will still be one of the bottom teams in the league, but with Mariota and Dorial Green Beckham, as the their first two round picks, their offense is projected to improve. Kenny had had a hard time, I think particularly because he was young and in the wrong place at the wrong time. On my way to my temporary life in New York, I stopped in Nashville to visit some friends with the hopes of heading to Titans camp. Still, everybody asks the same question: will he be as good in the NFL? How will Marcus Mariota fair behind a shaky offensive line that will need to stop a defensive line with last year’s rookie of the year Aaron Donald anchoring it?

St. Louis’ only three points came on their opening drive, a six-play, 67-yard journey that opened the game. “As we said last week, we’re just trying to find the right combinations”.

Titans receiver Kendall Wright said he’s been impressed with Mariota in camp. But over at The Tennessean, sports headlines are nothing but positive. Phillip Supernaw has been impressive in camp and the first week of the preseason and Mariota has shown some solid chemistry with veteran tight end Anthony Fasano.

“When you tackle and just do those things, it’s a progression”, Fisher said. “I’ve had no communication with any of the other coaches”.

Whisenhunt said he will also likely hold out defensive tackle Sammie Hill, who is still working his way back into form after a knee injury. “We nearly got an extra preseason game”. And he relishes the memories that he made in those many years with the team. Mariota will also be good practice for the Rams defense as they face scrambling QB’s Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick twice each during the regular season. The addition of WR Dorial Green-Beckham will surely add size and skill to the team, even if he has to endure some growing pains. Mariota’s capacity to maximize efficient passing opportunities means that RB and fellow former Pac-12 player Bishop Sankey will get some help pushing the ball down the field. In the NFL, running backs such as Sankey tend to evolve into situational players that are utilized primarily for screens or third-down situations. TE Delaney Walker will also be a top target, though unless Hakeem Nicks has another disappointing season, he probably won’t be the No. 1 passing option for Mariota. “That’s why we’re rotating guys, putting them in different spots”. There is plenty of talent in that receiving group, but none of them have really put it all together just yet. Despite the game against the Falcons, and regardless of what happens the rest of the preseason, one thing is for sure: when the Titans return to play at home, Mariota will draw a larger crowd than usual at Neyland Stadium.