Quote:Gil Brandt NFL.com


Mariota like a mini-Cam Newton

Marcus Mariota is a smaller version ofCam Newton, with more accuracy as a passer than Newton at the same age (although Newton is much improved now). When you see what Mariota did against Washington and Washington State, two pretty good defensive teams; vs. Tennessee, a fast defensive team; and UCLA, a great defensive team, you have to be impressed. Many people might say, "Well, yeah, but what about his game against Stanford?" I think he did pretty well in the second half after making adjustments. He's a player I'd pick to build my NFL franchise around.

 

What a dumb thing for Brandt to highlight. Cam was riding the bench behind Tebow and on the verge of getting expelled from Florida at 20-years-old, wasn't he? We had no idea what kind of passer he was.

 

Mariota isn't nearly as talented as Newton. He's a Kaepernick type, which I wouldn't be too eager to compare anyone to at this point in time.

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