The Tennessee Titans face a question that has become all too familiar, since Steve McNair left the franchise in 2005. Who is our quarterback? “Air” McNair was a symbol of consistency for an organization that year-in and year-out battled and challenged for the Lombardi trophy but those days are long-gone and the team is in search for a long term solution behind center.
In the 2011 NFL Draft the Titans used their eighth overall pick to draft Jake Locker, former University of Washington standout. A year before Locker was slotted as the top quarterback but instead he returned for his senior season.
The expectations were sky-high for the quarterback that an anonymous NFL general manager labeled, “a bigger, taller, right-handed version of Steve Young.”
Though he has displayed flashes of greatness, Locker’s NFL career has been marred by injuries. In his second season, his first year as starter, Locker dislocated his non-throwing shoulder on two separate occasions causing him to miss five-games and chunks of two others.
His first year starting was filled with inconsistency as the club limped to a 6-10 record. Locker’s play wasn’t appealing either as he finished with more interceptions than touchdowns and a dismal completion percentage of 56.
Looking to better the club and give Locker options, the team spent their first round pick in 2012 on Kendall Wright, a receiver out of Baylor and their first two picks in the 2013 draft on offensive guard Chance Warmack (10th overall) and wide receiver Justin Hunter (34th overall).
Locker and the Titans dashed out to a 3-1 start for the 2013 season including wins over the Pittsburg Steelers, San Diego Chargers and New York Jets. The Washington product threw six touchdowns to zero interceptions while rushing for 98 yards and a score through the first four games.
The following three games weren’t too kind for the team that finished 6-10 a year before. The club dropped two of the next three games and more importantly lost the man that held the franchise in the palm of his hands.
Against the winless Jacksonville Jaguars Locker injured his foot and was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Unsure of the severity of the injury, the fan base sat in desperation. Locker’s injury was the Titan’s worst nightmare as the quarterback suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, ending his season and crushing the hopes of a team that has been searching for a model of consistency behind center.
The Titans know one thing: Locker will not be the option for the remainder of the 2013 season. There’s one question that the Titans just don’t have an answer for as of yet and will find the answer challenging.
Should the Titans exercise their fifth-year option on the oft-injured signal-caller?
The Titans and Locker are under contract until the end of next season but have until May 2014 to decide if they want to bring him back for a fifth year. If they choose to do so, the Titans will be on the hook to pay the average of the top-10 highest-paid players at his position. That amount could be somewhere in the range of $13-$17 million.
The toughest position to fill, a mediocre quarterback can hinder a team from realizing its true potential. While some teams are fortunate to have great quarterbacks fall in their lap, others aren’t as lucky. The Titans have exacerbated many options while trying to find an option to longevity at the quarterback position.
Locker has potential but has also shown that he’s consistently inconsistent. He’s had some breakthrough games against the NFLs best but has also put on lackluster performances against some duds. Before getting injured, Locker was 4-9 with 24 yards and an interception.
The Titans cannot validate paying an inconsistent quarterback an amount that is on the cusp of what Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and other elite performers receive.
Courtesy: USA Today
While Locker has the potential of being a perennial starter in the NFL, he’s far from being entrusted to lead a franchise. His career numbers are far from deserving a multi-million dollar deal with 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions to go along with a completion percentage of 57. A firm believer in stats don’t say it all, Locker’s ability to lead his team to victory isn’t strong as he’s lost 12 out of 21 games he’s started.
The Titans have the pieces to be a contender but are without the most important piece of the puzzle. Locker’s inconsistency has barred the organization from competing in playoff football. While he’s not the only culprit, the team is best suited to look in the draft for their cornerstone.
The next few years should push through some elite level quarterbacks when you consider Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel, Tahj Boyd, Derek Carr and Zach Mettenberger will all be shaking hands with the NFL commissioner in the next two years.
If this was the MLB I would say go for it. But, in the NFL, with the salary cap, a team cannot afford to pay an average player a salary that would leave it handcuffed. Locker will play out his next season in Tennessee and don’t be surprised if the Titans use a first round selection on a college quarterback this year or the next.
