5-at-10: Rookie quarterbacks, Alabama's tough spot, Cook back with FSU, True or False Tuesday


              Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston calls out a play during drills in an NFL rookie minicamp in Tampa, Fla., Friday, May 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston calls out a play during drills in an NFL rookie minicamp in Tampa, Fla., Friday, May 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

From the "Talks too much" studios, the closer it gets the farther it seems and the slower it goes.

Preseason halfway home

OK, the preseason has wrapped week 2. Two more to go.

This is not about the preseason being too long. It's not.

This is about the forever link between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

Winston looked the part Monday night as the Bucs beat the Bengals. We have heard nothing but glowing reviews of Mariota throughout the preseason.

Good times.

Now there are definite struggles ahead for each. This is the preseason and defenses are worried about finding themselves and addressing their needs rather than game-planning against rookie quarterbacks. In the regular season, there will be head-scratching moments and bad days.

And, if history is to be trusted, only one of them will find big-time success.

Last April was the sixth time in the Super Bowl era that quarterbacks were drafted Nos. 1 and 2 overall. Here are the six duos, and see if you notice a trend:

photo Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the team's first day of training camp on Friday in Nashville.

2015 - Winston, Mariota

2012 - Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III

1999 - Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb

1998 - Peyton Manning, Ryan Leaf

1993 - Drew Bledsoe, Rick Mirer

1971 - Jim Plunkett, Archie Manning

Yes, in each instance other than '71, there was a clear star and a clear bust. Yes, there's still time for RGIII, but you get the idea.

So they are off, Winston and Mariota, and the early returns have been positive for each.

How long will it last.

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Speaking of QBs

Wonder what kind of odds you could have gotten for Alec Morris being the Alabama starting quarterback?

Here's TFP SEC ace David Paschall's report from the weekend about Morris earning high praise from the guy high up the power chart at Alabama.

photo Alabama quarterback Alec Morris (11) Photo by Kent Gidley

Earlier this week, Al.com offered this look at the position battles as we start moving closer and closer to the season opener.

Now, combine that with this TFP column and how Alabama has the most difficult schedule all the title contenders.

With that we can't help but wonder how the Tide will navigate this difficult task.

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Cook back in action

Dalvin Cook ran for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman last year for Florida State.

He's explosive and unbelievably quick.

photo In this Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, file photo, Florida State's Dalvin Cook (4) runs against Georgia Tech during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C.

He avoid a big potential setback Monday when a Tallahassee jury found Cook not guilty of hitting a female.

The jury deliberated for about 30 minutes, and Cook was re-instated to the FSU almost as quickly.

Cook is expected to be at practice today.

So there's that.

Cook and transfer quarterback Everett Golson give the Seminoles an explosive backfield.

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This and that

- Ultimate glue guy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a personal fav of the 5-at-10, is about to get paid. Good deal for the Hornets.

photo This Aug. 22, 2015, file photo shows Justin Wilson, of England, walking on pit road during qualifying for Sunday's Pocono IndyCar 500 auto race.

- Terrible news that Indy Car racer Justin Wilson died Monday from the injuries he suffered racing last weekend at Pocono. Heart-breaking.

- Class move here by Chase Utley, who took full page ads in two Philadelphia newspapers to thank the fans and the Phillies.

- Peyton Manning's crazy admission that he can't feel anything with his fingertips is simply nuts.

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Today's question

There are too many birthdays to mention.

photo Marcus Mariota, former Oregon quarterback and overall No. 2 NFL football draft pick by the Tennessee Titans, answers questions during a news conference Friday, May 1, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Mariota was selected by the Titans in the first round Thursday.

Since this is a true or false Tuesday on Press Row, we'll warm up with a few T or F options.

True or false, Marcus Mariota will have a better career than Jameis Winston.

True or false, UTC will win 10 football games (or more) in the regular season.

True or false, Alabama will win 10 football games (or more) in the regular season.

And feel free to volley back a true or false question of your own.

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