By: The Tire Zoo

The Tennessee Titans currently have two powerful quarterbacks – a wonderful problem to have. Or is it a problem? Jake Locker left game four against the Texans with an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The same shoulder was injured earlier this season. Backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck has played the last 3 games and is reported to start the next game against the Colts.  According to Coach Munchak, Locker is and always will be the starting quarterback for the 2012 Titans season. He has reported that Locker will start when he is fully recovered from his shoulder injury.

Some fans may be viewing this quarterback conundrum in a different light than Coach Munchak. Hasselbeck is winning games and that is what every fans wants!  Coming off last week’s win against the Buffalo Bills, the Titans have a record of 3-4, with two of those wins with Hasselbeck at the helm.

So, with three-and-a-half games each under their belt, let’s compare how the two quarterbacks have done so far this season.

Jake Locker:

• 1-3 record this season
• 781 passing yards
• 4 touchdowns
• Pass completion rate of 63.2
• 67 rushing yards
• 2 interceptions
• 2 fumbles
• Youthful energy

Matt Hasselbeck:

• 2-2 record this season
• 931 passing yards
• 5 touchdowns
• Pass completion rate of 61.5
• 13 rushing yards
• 4 interceptions
• 2 fumbles
• Seasoned veteran

Hasselbeck has the numbers when it comes to wins and passing yards, but Locker is able to complete passes more often and has the ability to run the ball. It is obvious that each quarterback has different strengths that could help the Titans to more victories this season. Some may ask, “If Hasselbeck is winning games why would they take him out?” The answer may be that the future of the Titans lies in the hands of Jake Locker. That seems to be a complicated answer though. Yes, he needs play time to fine tune his skills and establish connections with teammates, but he also needs to be healthy and able to be successful for the Titans in the years to come. This may be why Coach Munchak is right – the Titans need Locker to be fully recovered before he returns to the game, and in the mean time, if there is a winning backup quarterback, then they have the best of both worlds (hopefully).

Who do you think should be in as quarterback?

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Written by JoAnna

I haven’t always been a football fan. Growing up in Franklin, TN (a suburb of Nashville), too much Vol orange turned me off from football. It wasn’t until high school, when I asked my driver’s ed teacher – who happened to be the high school football coach – to explain the game to me, that I started to be become interested. Little did I know that I would be hooked years later! I have a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Arkansas – Go Hogs! I was lucky to work with student athletes while earning my degree but mostly work with children and teens. I enjoy art, crafting, cooking, and watching sports. Sundays are reserved for my favorite sports team, the Tennessee Titans.

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