Well Kearly, we're just gonna have to agree to disagree on this one cuz i dont see either of us changing the others mind. Luckily for Oregon fans this argument doesnt even matter until after next season at the very earliest, but hopefully not for 2 or 3 more years. (my bet is he leaves after his junior year which will actually be his 4th year in the program since he redshirted).
My last point to try and persuade you... If Akili Smith can go 3rd, Jake Locker can go 8th, Christian Ponder can go 12th, and Tim Freakin Tebow can go in the first round then there's no reason 2 or 3 years down the line from now, as he continues to improve that Mariota won't be in discussion for the number 1 pick. (especially if a guy like Robert Griffin 3 is still doing really well in the league) He has the arm. He has the intangibles. He has the athletecism. He'll have the winning pedigree and "it" factor. Mentally and emotionally on the field I think he's very much like Russell Wilson. I wasnt kidding when I said his in game demeanor makes Wilson look like a spaz, and you know how much i love Russell Wilson. Somebody will fall in love with him whether he's the product of a system or not.
Btw, i'm not disagreeing with you about Oregon's success being a product of a system. I fully understand that our offensive system is what makes it great, not necessarily our individual players. And if you were going to build a robot to run Chip Kelly's offense it woudl be Mariota. I just tthink he's good enough that he can transcend the system and would be a very good QB in any system. I know (well not first hand, but i've heard) that Sark wanted him pretty bad for their pro style offense.
p.s. sorry for hijacking your jonny football thread.