When the Tennessee Titans selected Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second pick in the NFL Draft, Titans wide receivers Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright were caught on camera reacting in less than celebratory fashion. But that didn't stop the Titans' PR machine from hyping Mariota as the savior for a team that last saw the playoffs seven years ago. And after of OTAs, the team's wide receivers have positive reviews for the Heisman trophy winner.

"He's a grown man. I think he's going to adapt fairly quickly. He's been making some throws that are pretty impressive to me," said Hakeem Nicks, who spent a considerable amount of time playing with Eli Manning.

New Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas, who caught passes for Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons also had kind words for Mariota. "One thing I can say about Marcus is that he's very intelligent. He's smart, he's athletic and he can play the game. He knows the game. He goes through all his progressions, and he throws well."

Hunter also appears to have warmed up to the rookie. "We have to make plays for him even though he's a smooth guy. He's a real good quarterback. I see it in him."

Mariota is largely expected to take the starting role for the Titans this season, though second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger, in spite of saying he gets along well with the former Oregon Duck, and that they are pushing each other to improve, has said that he will "fight to the death" for the starting job.

Shortly after being drafted by the Titans, there were billboards put up around Nashville welcoming the college star. He was also on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the cover line "Flash of the Titans."

"No doubt there's been a definite jolt in enthusiasm in the fan base; everyone is so excited. The quarterback is always such a high profile position on a football team, and to have someone the caliber of Marcus Mariota join the organization, it cant help but create that kind of energy," Titans chief revenue officer Stuart Spears was quoted saying.