The Titans coach said Thursday that simple doesn’t mean easy to defend and he wants to have an “exotic smashmouth” offense similar to what the Steelers ran while he was on their staff from 1996-2003.
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“We are going to be very hard to defend, and it is going to be a physical football game,” Mularkey told season ticket holders. “When it is all said and done they are going to know they have been in a fight.”
Mularkey was retained on a permanent basis after he was the team’s interim coach for the final nine games of the 2015 season after the team fired Ken Whisenhunt. Mularkey said a simplified offense should help Mariota’s development.
The Titans picked the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota, who missed three games with injuries, had an inconsistent rookie season with 2,818 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“He would be perfect in any style of offense,” Mularkey said of Mariota. “He’s a special player, and even with him, there’s things we have to do to make sure he is in the right position to have success every play.”
The Titans have the top pick in this year’s draft after going 3-13 last season. They could go with one of two Ole Miss players — receiver Laquon Treadwell or offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. New general manager Jon Robinson said he’d be open to trading the pick away to move down and gain more picks.
“I believe in balance,” Mularkey said. “Whatever it takes to win on Sunday, that’s what we’re going to do.”
