Gruden impressed with Mariota, calls QB 'a dazzling playmaker'

It's safe to say Jon Gruden is comfortable with his quarterback room heading into the 2020 campaign.

Speaking to reporters Friday after his team's third training camp practice, the Las Vegas Raiders head coach lauded recently signed passer Marcus Mariota.

"He's interesting," Gruden said, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez. "He took off a couple times today and it really fired me up. He's been hurt, but (it) looks like the ankle really turned a corner. He's a dazzling playmaker with his feet and that's the key to his game.

"I saw glimpses of that today. It's exciting. Started off slow on seven-on-seven (drills), but (he) picked it up, had a nice day. Had a real nice day."

Gruden has repeatedly stated this offseason that Derek Carr is firmly entrenched as the Raiders' starter, but Vegas inked the former No. 2 overall pick after five inconsistent years with the Tennessee Titans.

Mariota lost his job last season to Ryan Tannehill, but profiles as one of the NFL's more reliable backups.

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