AFC South Devil's Advocate: The Titans Should Play Two Quarterbacks

Welcome to the Devil's Advocate. This is the series that explores key issues from around the AFC South with a contrarian viewpoint.

The entire purpose of the piece is to argue a point of view which is the exact opposite of what I really believe. I try to do so using arguments which are as valid as possible, but the conclusion runs counter to my actual position.

Today I want to examine the Titans' quarterback controversy. Conventional wisdom states that a team with two quarterbacks is a team without a quarterback. Everyone expects the Titans to choose between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker.

Maybe they shouldn't choose.

1. Two Quarterbacks Doesn't Mean a Rotation

I understand why no one favors the "rotating" quarterback. It makes no sense to play Hasselbeck for a drive or two and then rotate Locker in. I'm willing to accept that games unfold with time, and if you give a passer a few drives to get a rhythm and set up plays, you'll get better results in the long run.

However, there's no reason you can't alternate starts based on the defenses that you face each week. Hasselbeck is more accurate and better in the pocket. Locker is more mobile and has a bigger down-field arm. They don't play the position the same way.

The Titans will face all kinds of defenses this year. When they line up with the Bears' Cover-2 shell, they can play Hasselbeck knowing that he'll put the ball on the money.  When they face the Texans' elaborate blitzes, they'll know he can read the defense.

When they face the Lions, however, they'll need to put up points in a hurry and to stretch the field vertically against a suspect secondary. Locker could well be their man.

As long as both quarterbacks understand that who plays in a given game is not a question of punishment or reward but rather skill set, it could work.

2. Pure Backup Quarterbacks are a Misallocation of Resources

In a perfect world, the backup quarterback never sees the field except in situations where the game is already won. No matter who is the No. 2 for the Titans, that player will be paid millions of dollars to be an insurance policy. Often, when they are needed, they haven't had the reps with the first team offense to be effective.

Doesn't it make more sense to find ways to use those skills? By starting both Locker and Hasselbeck from time to time, maybe the Titans can find a way to keep both players sharp and prepared.

No one wants an injury, but if the Titans do lose either man, the other one will be more prepared to take over full-time if he's been playing regularly.

3. Locker's Development is More Important than This One Season

Matt Hasselbeck is a coach's dream. He's smart and predictable. It would be easy for the Titans to name him the starter because he'll execute the game plan as it is written. There's a ceiling to how far he can take the team, however.

That ceiling isn't the Super Bowl.

By choosing key spots to start Locker, the Titans will further his development without having the whole season rise and fall on him. Starting the game will be a better learning experience than just subbing in for a few plays.

If he starts every game and struggles, he'll get blamed for the team's failures. Just look at the beating Blaine Gabbert takes from the media (and by the media, I mean me).

Giving Locker targeted starts allows him to develop to the next level without putting undue pressure on him and giving him a burden he's not ready for.

Obviously, if Jake Locker lights it on fire in camp and the preseason, he'll be the opening week starter. If the competition is close, however, the Titans might be wise to consider a matchup platoon.

Such an innovative approach could steal the team an extra win and be the difference between the playoffs and a January spent on the beach.