NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans offensive coordinator Jason Michael talked with reporters after practice on Thursday.
A look at the highlights from his session:
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On QB Marcus Mariota's readiness level:** "He has responded well. We have tried to put him in as many uncomfortable positions as we can, and he has not batted an eye. There's been days that have been better than others, but that is going back to being a rookie in this league at that position. He has gone out and prepared and he is getting better and more comfortable each day. It is a learning experience for all of us. This is the first week we've had a chance to go through a game plan with Marcus to see how he reacts and responds to that. We are going to learn and we are going to get better each week and each day."
On when Mariota should tuck the ball and run with it: "That's part of playing this game. We are going to put him in positions to do what he does best, and he has done well running the football. There's times when he's going to have opportunities to do that, and when he gets out of the pocket when he is scrambling, he is smart. And those are the things he has to do because you never know if it's a designed deal or if it's a scramble or whatever those things are. He is going to use his athleticism to help in the pocket, out of the pocket, all those things and the biggest thing is being smart in the situation and knowing when he has to protect himself."
On Mariota's mindset approaching the opener: "He is not too high and not too low – that's the way he carries himself, and that's a positive. But there's no doubt, you can tell he is excited. This is what any guy who is a starting quarterback in this league, this what he came in here to do, to be a starter, and he is excited about the opportunity, no doubt. And he has expressed that. He is as competitive as a man as I've been around."
On new RB Terrance West: "Terrance is a guy that we really liked coming out last year in the draft and we had an opportunity to acquire him and he has come in and worked hard to get into shape. We will continue to get him more snaps each day and see where he goes, but he is working hard and putting in extra time...That's this game, that's this league – when you go somewhere new you'd better get ready because you are going to have to play soon."
Biggest thing that needs to improve on offense: "I think it's us and our identity, and that's throughout whatever we do. Whether that is throwing the football, whether that is running the football, whether that's breaking the huddle, how we go to meetings, how we go about our business every day. And that's what we've talked about offensively in terms of establishing that identity — physical, tough, and wanting to be that in all phases and all facets. And I think we have made progress there."
