Mariota On Joining Eagles: 'I Wouldn't Doubt It'
ATLANTIC CITY (CBS) — He takes it all in well. The cameras, jutting cell phones and tape recorders pointed in his face. He answers the same myriad questions unblinkingly, almost rehearsed, because in truth, Marcus Mariota doesn't know where his seemingly bright future lies with the NFL Draft looming on Thursday, April 30.
Traveling cross country over night the day after his pro day at Oregon, Mariota was there on the dais to kickoff the 78th Annual Maxwell Club Awards Dinner Friday afternoon at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. He was there to bask in yet another deserved award, and to placate the media about what he's hearing and what NFL teams like him.
When asked where he would like to play, Mariota artfully answered "Any team that wants me," the Maxwell Club's Collegiate Player of the Year said. "I just want an opportunity and I want to make the most of it. It just comes down to whoever wants me and from there, make the most of it."
When asked about the Eagles and the possibility of playing for his old college coach, Chip Kelly, and if there is any way that could possibly happen, Mariota responded, "I wouldn't doubt it. But Coach Kelly is going to do whatever is best for that team and we'll see what happens. Coach Kelly checks in on me and sees what I'm doing. I've had an informal meeting with [Eagles] quarterback coach [Ryan Day on Thursday morning]. I think Sam [Bradford] will do good, whatever their plan is, he'll be able to execute it. Josh [Huff] have become close friends and we joke about this. Josh is a great guy and we'll see what happens.
"[Being the first pick] doesn't mean anything at all, to me, it comes down to if you find the right place, and you're in the right place, that's where you're supposed to be," Mariota said. "I think my pro day went okay. There are obviously some differences and some tweaks that [Kelly] has made [with the Eagles]. It's also based off of the rule differences, and there are some things that he has to do differently [at the pro level]. It's going to come down to whatever the Eagles want to do. Coach Kelly has been more of a mentor to me whever I've needed. He's always been that person who has been there for me."
Mariota is going to Tampa on Monday to speak with the Buccaneers. He also said when asked about the New York Jets, "I'd love to play for the Jets. Meeting with the offensive coordinator and the quarterback coach was awesome. It was an opportunity for me to introduce myself and it seems like a good organization. It's really out of your control. You can't stress about it. You meet with a team and you hope to build that trust."
