The Tennessee Titans are preparing to move on without their eighth overall pick from the 2011 draft if he doesn’t improve drastically this year. Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt did not draft Locker in 2011, nor might he like him as the team’s starter for the foreseeable future. The Whiz coached up traditional pocket passer Kurt Warner during his time at Arizona. There’s nothing traditional about Locker’s run-and-gun style of play. Whisenhunt may look for other options if Locker can’t stay healthy and quickly impress his new coach.
Jake Locker hasn’t been consistent or healthy in his first three years as a Titan. With first round pick Taylor Lewan joining an already strong offensive line, the super athletic Bishop Sankey taking over where Chris Johnson left off and some very talented and underutilized receivers, Jake Locker is out of excuses and running out of time to assemble a strong season as the starting QB. Wide receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter have the potential to become true, downfield burners if given the opportunity. Not to mention what Dexter McCluster brings to the offense as an out of the backfield pass-catcher.
The Titans spent a late-round pick on Zach Mettenberger, a QB who would’ve been selected in the second round if not for injury concerns. Expect fans to be calling Mettenberger’s name if Locker struggles this season.
Jake Locker has potential when healthy. He is a scrambling threat and can make all the throws a Quarterback needs to be able to make. He was a fierce competitor on a struggling U. of Washington team that stood out among his lesser-known teammates. The question remains to be seen if he can be a fierce competitor on a Titans team in a wide open AFC South led tenuously by the inconsistent Indianapolis Colts.
Gridiron Seasonal 