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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Second suspect pleads guilty in Ashland marijuana grow case Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Ashland to consider restrictions on outdoor pot growing Child molester sentenced to five years prison Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Second suspect pleads guilty in Ashland marijuana grow case Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Child molester sentenced to five years prison Man jailed on sex abuse charges Clash with officers lands Medford man in jail on multiple charges Politics and Elections Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. 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Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Ashland to consider restrictions on outdoor pot growing ... Second suspect pleads guilty in Ashland marijuana grow case ... Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Ashland to consider restrictions on outdoor pot growing ... NFL COMBINE Questions surround top quarterback prospects Winston, Mariota are top options, but who knows where they'll go Comment By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Feb. 17, 2015 @ 7:07 pm By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Feb. 17, 2015 @ 7:07 pm » Social News Marcus Mariota isn’t just competing against Jameis Winston at the top of the NFL draft board. Oregon’s Heisman Trophy winner will also be measured against quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger of the Tennessee Titans and Geno Smith of the New York Jets before being selected as a franchise player. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select Florida State’s Winston with the No. 1 overall pick. New Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht terminated the contract of Josh McCown last week, which signals that second-year head coach Lovie Smith will have to break in a rookie signal-caller next season. “I don’t envy Jason and Lovie and the group (with) their decision,” Mayock said during a conference call with reporters on Monday. “There is a consensus top two at the quarterback position, but there are contrasting issues with both of them.” Mayock admits that it’s easier for scouts to evaluate the physical tools of classic pocket passers like Winston. The 2013 Heisman winner, who imploded with a costly interception and lost fumble during the Seminoles’ 59-20 loss to Oregon at the Rose Bowl, still has a list of off-field incidents to explain to NFL executives. “The bigger concern is whether or not this guy can be the face of your franchise,” Mayock said. “Let’s face it, he was the face of the Florida State franchise, and that didn’t stop him from making bad decisions.” Mariota’s character is one of his strengths. His arm strength, size and speed are also intriguing for any team. The $20 million question(s): Can Mariota adapt to a pro-style system, or does a team want to play into his experience and skill set by running a spread attack? “Everyone is wondering, ‘Can he actually do that? Can he play under center, drop back and make a five-step drop and throw the route?’” former Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said during an ESPN radio interview. “If they see that, then everything else is in place. He’s super smart, he’s competitive, he’s got a good release, he processes quickly, he gets the ball out of his hand fast. He does all these other things that are fine.” Dominik predicts Mariota will be Tampa Bay’s pick after the interview and workout process because of his upside and Winston’s baggage. But the decision is up to Licht and his staff. If Winston goes No. 1, the Titans will be on the clock. “If I’m Tennessee, I’m hoping my evaluation of Mettenberger is high enough that we can win with him,” Mayock said. “If not, and you need a franchise quarterback, you have to pull the trigger.” Last year Mettenberger, a sixth-round pick out of LSU, passed for 1,412 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in six starts as a rookie. The team will still seriously consider Mariota or Winston at No. 2. “We like Zach, and I think Zach has the tools to play and start in the league,” Titans general manager Ruston Webster told the Tennessean. “We’ve said all along that this is a part of this process, and we have to do our due diligence all the way through. Zach knows we are going to do that, and this is just part of it.” The Jets have a new general manager (Mike Maccagnan), head coach (Todd Bowles) and offensive coordinator (Chan Gailey). If Mariota were to fall to No. 6, would they also bring a new quarterback to the Big Apple? Smith, a second-round pick in 2013, has 25 touchdowns, 34 interceptions and seven lost fumbles over the last two seasons. He has had to transition from West Virginia’s spread offense to the professional game on a team devoid of offensive talent. “I think what happens with the new administration … if the right quarterback is there, it’s a chance to wipe the slate,” Mayock said. “There has to be some questions with who is the best player on your board versus Mariota.” Mayock said he has “seen flashes” of Smith performing like a franchise quarterback. The Jets could draft the top cornerback in the class if they see the same possibilities with the incumbent quarterback. Mayock has Arik Armstead ranked as his fourth-best interior defensive lineman and describes the early-entry prospect from Oregon as “an intriguing guy” in a 3-4 scheme. He also said former Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who suffered a serious knee injury before the College Football Playoff, “could be a steal in the second round.” The NFL Scouting Combine on-field workouts begin Friday in Indianapolis. The quarterbacks will compete on Saturday, but it’s unclear whether Winston and Mariota will participate or wait for their respective pro days on campus at Florida State and Oregon next month. In addition to Mariota, Armstead and Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon left tackle Jake Fisher, center Hroniss Grasu, cornerback Troy Hill and outside linebacker Tony Washington were invited to the combine. Oregon State invitees include quarterback Sean Mannion, linebacker Obum Gwacham and cornerback Steven Nelson. By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Feb. 17, 2015 @ 7:07 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Vikings Stars Feb. 13, 2015 at 6:47 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Jets Stars Feb. 7, 2015 at 4:30 am Super Bowl Fantasy Review and Highlights Feb. 2, 2015 at 10:00 am Top Fantasy Players, Projections for Patriots vs. Seahawks Jan. 31, 2015 at 8:39 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Titans Stars Jan. 30, 2015 at 10:37 am 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Buccaneers Stars Jan. 28, 2015 at 7:00 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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