4-POINT STANCE: Notes from Wednesday’s Titans Media Availability (11/22/17)

Buck Reising, host of Technically Foul and The Final Drive provides four items of note from Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey’s and quarterback Marcus Mariota’s Wednesday media availability.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Thanksgiving Eve, the Tennessee Titans went about business as usual at St. Thomas Sports Park.

Coach Mike Mularkey spoke to the media after practice as his team prepares to travel to Indianapolis this coming Sunday:

1. The Suspense Is Killing Me
   • Mariota performed sub-optimally in his team’s 40-17 road loss last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Oregon product threw four interceptions in a game for the first time in his career. He completed 22 of his 33 passes for 306 yards, a 75-yard touchdown to Rishard Matthews and ran in a score as well.
   • “Yeah, I would say I’m anxious. I think the competitor in me wants to prove that  was a fluke and that I’m better than that. Obviously, you can learn from it, make smarter decisions with the football. But, yes, I’m ready to get back out there.”
   • Mariota has eight passing touchdowns against 10 interceptions through nine games in 2017.The 10 picks are tied (2015) for the most in the young quarterback’s career. It took 12 starts during Mariota’s rookie season to reach the 10-interception mark.
2. When Will It End?
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     Nashville, TN – November 12, 2017 – St. Thomas Sports Park: Marcus Mariota (8) of the Tennessee Titans addresses the media after practice (Photo by Buck Reising / ESPN Nashville).

     The number that loomed large coming into the first Titans-Colts game of the season was 11: the number of consecutive wins for Indianapolis over Tennessee. The Titans put that streak behind them with a 36-22 win in Week 6 of this season. Now, Tennessee is faced with something they’ve never accomplished: beating the Colts in Lucas Oil Stadium. Since the venue opened in 2008, the Titans are 0-9 all-time.

   • “It’s really a unique place to play,” Mularkey said of Lucas Oil. “I think it’s one of the louder stadiums in the league…It’s tough to play there, it’s tough to hear. (The Colts) definitely have an advantage with the crowd there.”
   • All-time in the series, the Titans are 14-31 against Indianapolis during the regular season. Tennessee can sweep their division rival for the first time since 2002.
3. Tis The Season
   • With Thanksgiving nearly upon us and the Wednesday before ranking as one of the most unproductive work days of the year, you can all but guarantee that players and coaches will be asked holiday-themed questions. Mariota fell prey to one of these just as he was wrapping up today’s round of questioning. So, what is Marcus Mariota’s favorite Thanksgiving dish?
   • “My grandmother still makes this cranberry dressing, and it is more of a dessert,” Mariota laughed. “She passed in on to my mom, and now my mom passed it on to my girlfriend to have. It is really good. A lot of bad stuff in there, but it’s enjoyable and I look forward to it tomorrow.”
   • Side note: Coach Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts was asked this same question a few hours before when the Titans media corps spoke to him via conference call. His answer: spaghetti and meatballs.
4. Pro-Bowling
   • Titans safety Kevin Byard is enjoying an impressive sophomore season. Through 12 weeks this season, the former third-round pick leads the NFL interceptions with six.
   • After one full week of voting, Byard leads all Pro Bowl vote-getters at the free safety position in the AFC with 49,354. He is the only Titan to lead his position thus far.
   • The 2018 Pro Bowl kicks off at 2:00 PM CT, will be televised live from Camping World Stadium. Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Tuesday, December 19 live on NFL Network.