Why Jake Locker Shouldn't Start for the Tennessee Titans Yet

Ten games into the season and the Tennessee Titans are faced with a tough question: When do you go with Jake Locker?

Last week we got a little taste of what he can do, as he threw two touchdowns in the Titans' loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Clearly, Locker has some potential and showed it in his first real action as an NFL quarterback.

Despite all that, here's why the Titans shouldn't make the switch just yet.

Matt Hasselbeck Is Healthy and Able

Locker would have gotten his inevitable promotion much sooner had Matt Hasselbeck had a more serious injury, but it seems the Titans veteran quarterback will be back this Sunday.

Hasselbeck has had an impressive season, proving he is still able to play and play well in this league.

Fourteen touchdowns to only eight picks and a 61 percent completion percentage has been a pleasant surprise in Tennessee, and those are certainly numbers you would have taken going into the season.

In fact, had it not been for an inept rushing attack, the Titans might have an even better record.

As long as Hasselbeck is still able to win games for them this season, he should remain behind center.

No Support from CJ2K

One of the most important things for the progression of a young quarterback is to have help from his running game to take some pressure off.

Chris Johnson is certainly capable of doing that lining up behind Locker, but it doesn't seem to be the case in 2011.

After all the drama of his holdout for more money, CJ2K has been CJ2-bad for the Titans, posting a career low in just about every statistic known to running backs.

I'd bet that Johnson will be better next season, but with seemingly no hope in sight for him in 2011, it's doubtful he'll give Locker the help he needs this year.

Playoffs Are Still in Sight

Despite an up and down year, the Titans still have a very realistic shot to make the playoffs.

They are currently one game behind a wild-card spot and still within striking distance for the division.

Seeing as how the Houston Texans lost their quarterback, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that they lose some extra games as a result, opening the door for Tennessee to take the division.

Long story short: As long as the Titans are in the hunt for the playoffs, they should stick with the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win.

That would be the old veteran, Hasselbeck.

On top of that, of the Titans' final six games, four of them are against teams with a record of .500 or worse.

That's what you call a favorable schedule.

Locker's Time Will Come

With a 36-year-old quarterback behind center in Tennessee, it's only a matter of time before Locker gets his shot.

But now is not the time.

As long as the Titans are competing this year, they must stick with Hasselbeck at all costs.

That will change as soon as the end is in sight for the Titans, which hasn't happened yet.

Like I said before, they still have very realistic hopes to make the playoffs, and Hasselbeck gives them the best chance to win.

But once the playoffs are out of sight, that's when the transition needs to be made. Any sooner and you run the risk of looking like you're folding the rest of the season to give your rookie quarterback a shot.

It would be beneficial to get more games under Locker's belt this season so he is slightly more prepared for next season when I feel he'll be taking the reigns, but the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet.

So until it does, Locker can continue to learn under an experienced veteran like Hasselbeck, which in my opinion will greatly help his development into a franchise quarterback for the Titans.