Mariota making his case at combine

INDIANAPOLIS -- Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota acknowledged Thursday he has a lot to learn about being an NFL quarterback, right down to calling plays in a huddle, but he said at the NFL's scouting combine he believes he is still worth the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the No. 1 pick in the draft, which runs April 30 to May 2. Mariota and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston are the top two quarterbacks in the draft.

"Any player is going to tell you they are confident in their abilities,'' Mariota said. " ... All I can control is how I prepare.''

Mariota, who threw for 4,454 yards and 42 touchdowns this past season in Oregon's spread attack, is considered by NFL scouts and personnel executives to be a low-risk player when it comes to off-the-field questions, but his transition from the no-huddle attack with the plays called from the sideline is what Mariota has to deal with.

In his three years as the Ducks' starter, he threw 105 touchdowns to go with 14 interceptions.

He is currently working with Kevin O'Connell, a former New England Patriots draft pick, as well as George Whitfield. O'Connell has accepted a job to coach quarterbacks with the Cleveland Browns when the pre-draft work ends. Mariota said O'Connell has tried to help learn to call plays as if he would in an NFL huddle to go with the on-field work the two have done.

"I've been able to, working with Kevin O'Connell and he's given me a play sheet, he's had me read the plays out loud, that's something little, but I think as this process goes, it's going to help me just speak it in the huddle,'' Mariota said. " ... It's new. I haven't done it since high school.''

Mariota said he will throw in drills at the combine -- quarterbacks are scheduled to work out Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mariota said he chose to throw because it's "something I had decided, I felt I was ready and prepared for it.''

As far as those who say he can't make the transition from the Oregon offense into a pro-style game plan, or those who say he doesn't make "NFL throws,'' Mariota took a measured approach, but continued to reaffirm his belief that he can succeed in the league.

"That's other people's opinions,'' Mariota said. " ... All it takes is for one team to believe in me ... Any motivation starts with some type of doubt. As an athlete, I've built my motivation over the years as well, but a lot of that stuff you have to put in the past and not worry about that.''