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Why Locker should start his rookie season (article/blog)


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JUN

13th

2011

Why Jake Locker Should Start His Rookie Season

AUTHOR: Blake Moore | IN: Titans | COMMENTS: None Yet |

Photo: CDN Turner

jake.locker.jpg

The Titans made the move to select Jake Locker 8th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. When a franchise makes a move like this, you don

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Locker starting may easily become a reality.

I'm for it.

Locker is 23, Britt is 22, and Chris Johnson is 25. The youth here create a trifecta that can own the AFC South for many seasons.

Awaiting ManningEnvy comment on this.....

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Locker starting may easily become a reality.

I'm for it.

Awaiting ManningEnvy comment on this.....

As long as the coaches' don't think doing so will further develop or encourage bad habits he developed while playing behind a bad oline. He needs to firmly develop that internal clock. He's already got a shorter version due to his college oline. Throwing him in too early before he is ready could hasten that clock.

But it also could be a non-issue. As a fan, I want to see him play. But I am willing to wait and I can see that as being the better decision if the coaches' see it that way.

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As a fan, I want to see him play. But I am willing to wait and I can see that as being the better decision if the coaches' see it that way.

Yeah, I am with you.

My original statement was a little too general.

If the coaches feel he is ready, so be it.

If not, let him sit.

I'll trust Munch and Palmer's judgement when it comes to playing Locker.

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This is a weak article but the topic is interesting. For one, I don't believe there is one approach for grooming a QB. For some guys, they benefit from game experience right away and are in a good situation to the point they can learn on the job. Other guys needs to sit for a couple of years in order to become acclimated to the NFL and all that is required to play QB. Locker does have a few things going for him. First and foremost, he's in the same backfield as CJ. CJ will continue to be the focus of opposing defenses which should open things up for Locker. He also has a very good pass blocking OL in front of him which is always a huge plus for any rookie QB. Lastly, he has weapons all around him, provided Britt gets his act together, with Britt, Cook, and Williams for targets.

The negatives for Locker are centered around mechanics, accuracy, and his ability to adjust to playing behind a good OL. Prag is right, we all pray that his terrible OL at Washington hasn't messed with the internal clock that all QB's have to be aware of. We also have no idea how he'll pick up the playbook.

Personally, I think the coaches want him to start day one and think the surrounding talent will offset him being a rookie. I don't know if I agree with that but without any OTA's or training camp, there just isn't enough information out there to make a decision.

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I'm all for it, the worries about hurting a rookie by starting him too soon are overblown. VY didn't fail because he started too early, it was because he was lazy and stupid.

The only concern is the lockout. If there was no lockout he'd start as a rookie for sure.

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I'm against it, strongly, but that's me. It does depend on the QB, though. If and when it happens we'll never know, but I will do my best to trust in mgmt and assume that he is starting because his temperment and preparedness are such that it will be a positive... and not that they rushed into it.

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A good argument for him to start is that he seems like a well adjusted and mature kid. A big problem with throwing qbs into the fire too fast is that it will crush their spirit. I think Locker is mature enough to know that there will be some difficult times if he starts and that he can learn from that. We are not a playoff team this year due to so many changes. Putting Locker out there early will let him get the experience that he needs and hopefully we can improve toward the end of the year and get a few wins.

If at the end of the year Locker has improved, our defense is starting to gel, we beat some teams we shouldn't and we get a high draft pick, I will call it a successful season given all of the obstacles. Now when 2012 gets here we had better make a run. Of course, we will have a SB team in 2012 and then the world will end... lol Titans/Oilers luck.

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In a way, losing in college may make it more difficult to have your spirit broken in the pros. How many INTs has Quitler thrown and he still comes back like a Citizen Eco-Drive Watch... unstoppable... even in the face of your own failings.

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In a way, losing in college may make it more difficult to have your spirit broken in the pros. How many INTs has Quitler thrown and he still comes back like a Citizen Eco-Drive Watch... unstoppable... even in the face of your own failings.

That's a good point. I think the major consideration for starting Locker the first game would be money. I hope Munchak has the last say as to when Locker starts. If he thinks that is the best thing, then ok. As for the trio Jake-CJ-Kenny, I think CJ is gone/done by the time Locker is ready and if Kenny doesn't slow down, he will be gone too.

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That's a good point. I think the major consideration for starting Locker the first game would be money. I hope Munchak has the last say as to when Locker starts. If he thinks that is the best thing, then ok. As for the trio Jake-CJ-Kenny, I think CJ is gone/done by the time Locker is ready and if Kenny doesn't slow down, he will be gone too.

People keep saying that about CJ and Locker. It would be nice to have them both together in their prime- but in someways it can even better if they overlap a bit. Its like subsitutions in basketball. Do you put all your best scorers in at one point and then weather the lull when they are out or do you have a guy like Ginoboli on the bench ready to come in and keep the production more level.

Jake and CJ can be that for teh Titans. CJ is in his prime. Locker can benefit and learn. As CJ wanes, Locker develops until the game is more about Locker than CJ.

Some would say very much like Eddie and Mcnair- except there are those that would argue that was more about coaching issues than development. But whatever- the concept sounds solid.

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