Tennessee Titans: 5 Reasons Jake Locker Should Start Week 1

Without a doubt, Jake Locker entered the 2011 campaign as the team's backup quarterback. 

As training camps opened up and Locker had the opportunity to compete, he's showed he is ready and willing to take the reigns of the Mike Munchak Era.

Locker was the first player to arrive at training camp, according to Jim Wyatt from the Tennessean and has shown brilliance at points behind center for the Titans.

Ahead are five reasons the Titans should start Jake Locker in Week 1.

Build for the Future Now

Locker is the future of the franchise, so why not start him now. 

Obviously the Titans franchise is terrified of throwing another quarterback into the limelight too early after the Vince Young debacle that has taken over the past five seasons. 

Locker has shown us in his brief time with the Titans that he is a more mature athlete and has the “fight” in him that wasn’t apparent in Young’s tenure in Tennessee.

Young Offensive Playmakers

Locker enters a better situation than Vince Young entered in 2006.  

The Titans will return a solid offensive line, a playmaker at wide receiver, and one of the best running backs in the league behind the rookie from Washington.

Kenny Britt returns for his third season in the league, Chris Johnson enters his fourth, and Jared Cook is likely to begin the season as the starting tight end. 

Young entered the 2006 campaign with Travis Henry at running back, Drew Bennett and Brandon Jones as the two wideouts, and Bo Scaife at tight end. Locker gets a bit of an edge on the quality, and age, of players he could start the season with.

Johnson and Britt are obvious upgrades, but Cook is an athletic tight end who can stretch the field, but has yet to show his worth on-field.

Accuracy Isn't as Bad as We Thought

When Jake Locker entered the 2011 NFL Draft, scouts said that he had problems with his accuracy and was not an NFL-ready quarterback. 

Locker looked pretty solid in his NFL debut, regardless of his first performance being in the opening preseason game. 

The first-round pick by the Titans completed seven of 10 throws for 89 yards, including a 45-yard bomb to Yamon Figurs for a touchdown.

Line Protection

Most rookie quarterbacks go to a bad team, with a bad offensive line—leading to a ton of sacks and loss of whatever confidence he entered the league with. 

The Titans retained their entire offensive line from last season, who only allowed 27 sacks in the 2010 campaign, good for seventh in the league. Jake Locker’s mobility only helps what qualms fans might have about the current offensive line.  

Left tackle Michael Roos and the rest of the Tennessee offensive line will continue to provide outstanding protection for whoever the Titans enter Week 1 under center.

Fans Want a Franchise Quarterback, Not Another Fill-in Replacement

Hasselbeck is entering his 13th season in the league after leading the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs last season. 

He is entering his first season as a Tennessee Titan, originally thought to have been signed as the starting quarterback. 

Locker has shown fight throughout training camp and has provided similar production as Hasselbeck in their debut as members of the Tennessee organization. 

Hasselbeck provided a 5 for 6 performance for 55 yards, compared to Locker’s 7 of 10 for 89 yards and a touchdown.

If the rookie is even close to the starter’s production, you have to ride with the younger stud.

Conclusion

Jake Locker has shown incredible work ethic and fight in the small amount of time he has spent in Tennessee.

Titans fans will get a better look at Locker Saturday against the St. Louis Rams, where Steve Spagnuolo's defense is expected to bring the heat.

Thanks for reading and please leave your comments below.

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