QB Jake Locker to back up Matt Hasselbeck in Tennessee Titans preseason opener – NFL News
Quarterback Jake Locker is settled for a backup role for the preseason opener at least as Tennessee Titans have decided to allow veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck to start the campaign for them when they face Matt’s previous team Seattle Seahawks this Saturday.
The veteran, who was also the starting QB in Titans’ last year preseason opener, played for Seahawks from 2001 through 2010, and as coach Mike Munchak said he deserves to have the first turn this year.
It is due to the fact that the coach insisted it was not a difficult choice for him to make, saying Matt was given the opportunity last season and was likely to win the starting role this year straightaway.
He said:
"It wasn't a big decision. I think Matt (Hasselbeck) deserves the start. If it means anything, it's his hometown and where he's played. He was a starter last year, so I think he should be the first one out of the box with the ball in his hand."
At training camp, Matt was up against Jake, whose last year’s single appearance in the veteran’s absence had triggered the competition.
In spite of winning the leadership role to mark start of the preseason campaign by Matt, the coach did not elaborate if and when Jake will have his turn.
Officially, Mike or any other official of Titans has not confirmed Hasselbeck to be their offence leader as the final choice, and this implies that the competition for the leading position between the two QBs is very much on.
It is expected the team will come out with their final decision about their new offence leader at the end of preseason campaign. An announcement to this end can also be expected halfway through the preseason.
An independent opinion is that Titans are most likely to leave Hasselbeck as the starter but this does not rule out Jake altogether. He is expected to win opportunities in between. Some commentators have claimed they will be surprised to know Titans giving
Jake preference over Hasselbeck.
Tags: