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| Marc Mariani returns a kickoff 98 yards for his first career touchdown Oct. 3, 2010 vs. Denver. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Marc Mariani's professional career started with the need to make the most of every opportunity.
It was a survival guide for a virtual unknown who was selected after 221 other rookies in 2010. The one-time longshot won a roster spot with the Titans last year, ranked among the NFL's best in kick and punt returners, broke franchise records and earned a selection to the Pro Bowl.
Mariani entered training camp this year with more job security, but an offseason rule change has increased the importance of each kickoff return. The NFL, trying to reduce injuries and big hits on special teams, is placing the ball at the 35-yard-line instead of the 30 on kickoffs this season.
The change helps kickers put the ball deeper and creates more of a decision for kick returners. If a returner chooses to bring a ball out of the end zone he may not make it to the 20, which a team is at least guaranteed with a touchback, or he could find a groove and sway momentum in a close game.
"We've got to make the most of the ones we get. It is frustrating for sure (to have less opportunities)," Mariani said during a recent interview. "I think you're going to see a few times this year where guys force it, but the first job is to make a good decision. We're still taking the field looking to make great plays."
Green Bay rookie Randall Cobb tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the opening game of the season then opted not to return the next one that was also 8 yards deep into the end zone.
"I thought it was crazy that he brought it out," Mariani said. "The whole country saw that play. That's what the kick return can do. They're taking it away a little bit, but our mindset doesn't change. It's going to change the amount, the quantity of the returns, but that's why every time we get a chance, we've got to execute and make a big play."
Days later, Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee didn't give Mariani a chance. The combination of Scobee's strong leg, warm weather and winds pushed Mariani deep into and even sometimes out the back of the end zone as he caught the ball and kneeled for a touchback on all five of Jacksonville's kickoffs.
Titans special teams coach Alan Lowry said one of the factors that coaches have told Mariani to use in his decision making is the hang time of the kick, and head coach Mike Munchak said the situations of the games will also be a factor.
"When it lands in the stands, there's not much thought process in that," said Mariani, adding that the distance alters the timing of return attempts. "When you're returning it from 8 yards deep instead of 3 yards deep, there's a different timing. They're on you quicker for sure."
Mariani returned 60 kickoffs for a Titans/Oilers franchise-record 1,530 yards last year. His 25.5 yards per kickoff return ranked ninth in the NFL. He ranked fourth in the NFL with 12.2 yards per punt return (27 attempts for 329 yards). His total kickoff and punt return yardage (1,859) broke Derrick Mason's record of 1,794 yards from the 2000 season.
Today's game against Denver marks the return to LP Field of the team Mariani returned his first touchdown against — a 98-yarder on Oct. 3, 2010. Mariani caught the ball with his feet moving forward early in the third quarter. He found a seam, which was further opened by crushing blocks and stepped on the gas. By the time Mariani reached the 50-yard-line, fans were standing and shouting for him the rest of the way.
"That one was special for me," Mariani recalled. "It was only four games into my NFL career. I had won the return job and we were making plays, but it was nothing like that. We hit one big one that day. It was the right return and we stretched them out and hit it. Once I saw that green grass, it was pretty special."
Mariani added an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown against Washington later in the season, becoming the second Titans/Oilers player to return a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same season (Billy "White Shoes" Johnson did it in 1975 and 1977).
Titans coaches and scouts were somewhat scrutinized for their decision to draft Mariani. Some thought that his friendship with former Titans coach Jeff Fisher's son when they were teammates at Montana had given Mariani an edge. But the same work ethic, skills and humility that enabled Mariani to walk on at Montana and set school records in receiving yards (3,018), receiving touchdowns (29) and career all-purpose yards (5,441) enabled him to be a significant playmaker in pro football.
Mariani made it from his hometown of Havre, Montana to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. He realized the significance and appreciated "every single moment" of his week in Hawaii.
"I got to take the field with some of the best players in the world and I got to share that with my friends and family, which meant a lot to me," Mariani recalled. "To be there, to be voted in by your peers from around the league, I was just so honored. It's a goal that I never even set. I never thought about it coming into training camp last year. I just wanted to contribute and make the team — all those little things, and all those little things added up. I got the call. It was one of the greatest weeks of my life."
Lowry said the success of the Titans' kickoff and punt return teams last season have Mariani's teammates excited about the possibilities on every kickoff or punt.
"I think it always helps when you've got a guy that's got a chance to take one every time he touches the ball," Lowry said. "Guys are more excited about being out there as a blocker."
Opposing teams are likely to spend more thought and preparation on limiting Mariani's returns this season, Lowry said, adding, "It's still just a matter of him doing what he does and us, as a return team, doing what we can to help him. We've got to use the skills he has."
Mariani said last season was a great motivator for the special teams unit in the offseason. The lockout, however, prevented players from working out at the Titans' training facility and eliminated organized team activities. Mariani did many of his offseason workouts in Montana, and the special teams unit has been working to make up the difference.
"After the success that we had in the return game last year, I felt a great responsibility to come back even stronger, be more prepared, more ready to go because I feel like they're going to be gunning for us this year," Mariani said. "We as a unit want to prove that we're the real deal. Every time we take the field we're looking to make big plays. I think it's important to everybody every week. We want to change momentum, change field position every time we take the field. We're trying to do even better."
Others noticed Mariani in his rookie campaign. An excerpt from one of his returns is featured in a montage commercial for the NFL Network and Comcast. Videos of his returns — in real games from last season and even from video games — have been posted by fans on the Internet, and people around Nashville recognize his name when they hear it and are even saying it correctly (it's pronounce Mary-Annie).
"It's pretty cool. It's pretty fun to be included in stuff like that and gain the respect of people around the league," Mariani said. "It's pretty special, coming from Havre, Montana, but that only puts more of an emphasis on you and you've got to be ready to make more plays."
He said more people in Nashville recognize him without his helmet and jersey, but he downplays the increased notoriety.
"I'll be the first to tell you it wasn't just me," Mariani said. "There's no way I'd be where I was without the guys in front of me and I love them to death. We work together to help the Titans win on Sunday."
While Mariani's opportunities on kickoffs may decline because of the rule change, Tennessee is looking to get him the ball on offensive plays this season. Mariani was low on the depth chart behind veteran receivers last season and did not record a reception in his rookie campaign. The Titans kept fewer receivers on the roster at the start of this season, and Mariani has received more reps in practice and more looks in the early stages of this season. He's welcoming those chances with enthusiasm as well.
"As good as the opportunities were in the return game, I always thought of myself as a receiver," Mariani said. "I want to be a receiver in this league and I know I have a lot of work to do, but I'm going to make the best of the opportunities that come my way in any capacity. Whether it's in the slot, the stretch-the-field guy or the blocking guy, every time I step on the field, I'm going to try to make an impact."
