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Jake Locker News & Rumors

Tennessee Titans' Jake Locker knows deeds trump words
May 9
Tennessean
 
"Decked out in a camouflage hat and cowboy boots, and with a pocketknife clipped to his pants, Jake Locker looked at ease during a Titans Caravan stop on Tuesday. With a smile, the quarterback signed one autograph after another. Heading into his second NFL season, however, Locker's approach is far from laid back. He wants to be the starter, but he knows his actions are more important than his words. "My goal is to earn the respect of the guys around me," Locker said. "Not to ask for it, but how you go out and work and how you prepare yourself, they can tell it means something to you. "Whatever the outcome is, you are not going to regret what you have done because you went about it the right"
Tennessee Titans Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker embrace competition
April 24
Tennessean
 
"Nothing about their battle to be the starter has changed since last season, quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker said Monday as the Titans started their offseason program. Locker does look a little different, however. He's now sporting a beard. "At the end of the day, we're both just trying to be the best we can be, so nothing is new," Hasselbeck said. "I have been through (competition) just about every year. Sometimes I have been the guy on top, or the guy trying to get to the top, but it is always different. "But healthy competition is always good, and it is really no different than last year or the year before.""
Titans, Jake Locker were right fit at right time
April 15
Tennessean
 
"Leading up to the NFL Draft last year, the Titans had a valuable pick — eighth overall in the first round — and a big dilemma. While there was pressing need on the defensive line, the chance to get a potential franchise quarterback couldn't be ignored. But would an inconsistent college player like Jake Locker be worthy of the pick, if he were available when the Titans were on the clock? There was also this to consider: Might a better player be available in the quarterback-rich class of 2012, following what was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Titans? The Titans selected Locker, of course, then went a surprising 9-7 as he learned behind veteran Matt Hasselbeck. "The things that"
Titans should start Matt Hasselbeck over Jake Locker, analysts say
January 15
Tennessean
 
"As he looked ahead to the 2012 season, Titans Coach Mike Munchak declared the starting quarterback position up for grabs between veteran Matt Hasselbeck and highly touted Jake Locker. It's easy to believe Munchak would consider making the transition to Locker, after the 2011 first-round pick spent his rookie year watching and learning behind Hasselbeck. But three national football analysts and former NFL players — all of whom covered the Titans at some point during the second half of the 2011 season — believe Hasselbeck should remain the starter, reasoning that his experience and savvy still make him a better choice than the team's quarterback of the future. "The way to look at this is"
Tennessee Titans will let Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker compete
January 3
Tennessean
 
"As the Titans parted ways for the offseason on Monday, Coach Mike Munchak didn't waste any time talking to his quarterbacks about plans for 2012. "That's not something they'd even want to talk about," Munchak said. "It would be like, 'Whoa, we just finished this one.' " With the 2011 season now officially in the rearview mirror, however, the Matt Hasselbeck-Jake Locker debate surely will start among fans after a year when the rookie played well in relief of the veteran quarterback."
Tennessee Titans wonder which QB will start
December 15
Tennessean
 
"Matt Hasselbeck didn't practice Wednesday and Jake Locker was too sore to throw, leaving third-string quarterback Rusty Smith to run the show. The rest of the Titans were left wondering who would lead them in Sunday's critical game against the Colts. "I could just throw a name out there," wide receiver Nate Washington said. "But to be honest, I don't know who it is going to be." Coach Mike Munchak remained optimistic that Hasselbeck's calf injury, suffered during Sunday's loss to the Saints, would improve enough to allow the 13th-year pro to start."
Titans receivers like what they see from Jake Locker
November 21
Tennessean
 
"About halfway through responding to his third question about Jake Locker, Titans wide receiver Nate Washington paused for a second and smiled. "Uh-oh," Washington said. "I feel some controversy coming." Locker's strong relief performance in Tennessee's 23-17 loss to Atlanta on Sunday will surely have plenty of fans pushing for the rookie to get even more playing time. But the wide receivers weren't ready to throw their support behind one quarterback as opposed to the other. "Jake's a different guy, a younger guy and he can run around a little more than Matt (Hasselbeck) can," Washington said. "Does that say he's better than Matt? Heck no. We believe highly in both those guys."
Munchak not prepared to join Team Jake camp
November 21
Tennessean
 columnist David Climer
"Repeat after me: There is no quarterback controversy, there is no quarterback controversy, there is no quarterback controversy. I'm glad we got that straightened out. Titans head coach Mike Munchak made it crystal clear on Sunday night that the offense will be back in the hands of veteran Matt Hasselbeck as soon as his injured right elbow heals, leaving rookie Jake Locker to return to his role as apprentice. "If Matt's fine, he's our quarterback," Munchak said. "There's no doubt about that." Silly me. Of course that's the case. These are the Titans, after all. They're right in their comfort zone with .500 football — 5-5 after the 23-17 loss to Atlanta. With a two-game deficit to Houston in"
Rookie NFL quarterbacks find experience differently
October 2
Tennessean
 
"When the Titans battle the Browns today, one talented young quarterback will take to the field right away while another remains on the sidelines. The Browns threw Colt McCoy into the starter's role less than halfway through his 2010 rookie season, letting him learn through some tough experiences. The Titans have no such plans for first-round selection Jake Locker, which is why they signed proven veteran Matt Hasselbeck after the lockout. Both teams can point to some degree of early success. An improved McCoy has the Browns off to a 2-1 start, while an effective Hasselbeck has set a strong example for Locker while leading the Titans to the same record."
Jake Locker's arm, legs pick apart Saints
September 2
Tennessean
 
"Now that the preseason is over, Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker knows it could be a while before he sees the field again. So the eighth overall pick went out with a bang, playing his best game in a 32-9 victory over the Saints. He was 15-of-17 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown after relieving Matt Hasselbeck in the first quarter. He also rushed for 39 yards on three carries, including a 22-yard touchdown. His passer rating was 118.6. "It was great to get a lot of work," Locker said. "I thought we played well as a unit. The more snaps I get as a rookie, the better. I can't wait for the regular season to start so it counts for real." Locker's preseason: 32-of-49 for 316 yards, two"
Jake Locker's play leaves no doubt: He's not ready
August 22
Tennessean
 columnist David Climer
"He already has been penciled in as the face of the franchise, the quarterback of the Titans' future — perhaps its near future. For now, though, Jake Locker is a rookie quarterback trying to find his way through the maze of NFL defenses. Through two games of the preseason, it's one step forward, one step back. "Highs and lows — that's how the league's going to be," Titans Coach Mike Munchak said Sunday. The Titans have been up and down this hilly road before. Vince Young landed in 2006, full of potential and hyped to the hilt, the No. 3 overall pick whose every move was dissected. We all know how that worked out. Like it or not, Locker's development both in the short term and over the next"
Titans' Jake Locker won't pass Matt Hasselbeck as starting quarterback
August 15
Tennessean
 
"Rookie quarterback Jake Locker played well in his NFL preseason debut, and that's a big plus for the Tennessee Titans, Coach Mike Munchak said Sunday. But Munchak made it clear that the coaches are counting on veteran Matt Hasselbeck to start this season. So no matter how well Locker plays in the preseason, there's probably nothing he can do to change their minds. At least for now, Locker remains the future at the position. "We are just taking it a week at a time, but we are assuming it is going to be that way, that Matt will be the starter when the season starts,'' Munchak said a day after the Titans beat the Vikings 14-3 in the preseason opener. "They both played well in a limited role,"
Jake Locker's time may come sooner
August 14
Tennessean
 columnist David Climer
"For the past couple of weeks, the focus has been on a Titans player who is AWOL. Indeed, Chris Johnson's absence because of a contract squabble has been the talk of training camp. When will C.J. show up? And at what cost to the Titans? Now that we have a preseason game in the books, let's shift the attention elsewhere. How about a nice little quarterback controversy just to break up the monotony? Playing at a half-full LP Field, rookie Jake Locker performed well enough and also showed a touch of creative flair to leave us wondering whether veteran free-agent acquisition Matt Hasselbeck is a lock to start on Week 1 after all. Quarterbacking four series plus a kneel-down, Locker completed"
Jake Locker muffles Tennessee Titans' accuracy concerns
August 13
Tennessean
 
"Hounded by questions about his accuracy in college and leading up to the NFL Draft, rookie quarterback Jake Locker was put to the test on his first day of training camp with the Titans . During a drill offensive coordinator Chris Palmer uses to evaluate accuracy under fire, Locker had to react fast while throwing in the direction of four color-coded flags. When Palmer yelled "red," Locker took aim at the red flag. When Palmer screamed "yellow," Locker threw in that direction. Blue and white flags also decorate targets. So how did Locker do? "Well,'' Palmer said with a smile, "let's just say if we were at the circus, he didn't get a teddy bear." Locker has come a long way since then,"
If form holds, Locker likely to struggle in preseason opener
August 12
Nashville City Paper
 
"Jake Locker says he has answered questions about expectations since his earliest days at the University of Washington. Thus there is a sense of familiarity - not fear - in regard to those that have been raised since the Tennessee Titans made him the second quarterback selected in the 2010 NFL draft. "For me, it's the game of football and I've played it since I've been a little kid," Locker said. "I enjoy playing the game. You have nerves going into a game, but I don't feel pressure. "I believe that my expectations are higher for myself than expectations anyone can put on me." He might want to temper those expectations for Saturday's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings (7 p.m.,"
Seattle QBs Jake Locker, Matt Hasselbeck together in Tennessee
August 11
Seattle Times
 columnist Jerry Brewer
"In the Music City, they're playing Seattle's song. Listen to Matt Hasselbeck, the best quarterback in Seahawks history, barking instructions at the line of scrimmage. Listen to Jake Locker, the agile and resilient University of Washington quarterback, laughing as he scrambles past an angry defense for a touchdown during a red-zone drill. They sound familiar. They sound like Seattle. But they're 2,400 miles away now, dressed in matching red practice jerseys, teammates via one strange and nostalgia-inducing coincidence. Their new team is called the Tennessee Titans, but back home, it might as well be spelled Tenne SeaTitans. Two fully dissimilar cities now share space on the shoulder pads of"
Tennessee Titans' Jake Locker passes training camp debut
July 31
Tennessean
 
"In a normal NFL year, rookie quarterback Jake Locker already would have had the benefit of offseason practices and coaching instruction by now. But because of the lockout, Locker's first official practice came at the start of training camp on Saturday, a full three months after the Titans made him the eighth overall pick of the draft. So it's probably not surprising Locker looked a little bit erratic when he first took the field at Baptist Sports Park. There was one sideline toss that sailed well over the head of receiver Lavelle Hawkins, for instance, and another deep throw that hung in the air too long on its way to tight end Jared Cook. But it didn't take long for Locker to settle into"
Jake Locker may benefit most from his time on Tennessee Titans sideline
July 28
Tennessean
 
"Call him old-fashioned, but Ron Jaworski says he believes it's a good idea for young quarterbacks — even first-round draft picks — to sit a spell before stepping into a starting NFL role. So he thinks the Titans' acquisition of veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on Wednesday was ideal for the development of rookie Jake Locker. Hasselbeck isn't guaranteed the starter's role by any means, but the presumption is it's his job to lose. In such a scenario, the Titans wouldn't need to push Locker into action right away after missing a full offseason because of the lockout. "I like a quarterback to sit for a year or two, learn how to be a pro, then when you're thrust in there, you're more"
Titans give Locker the teacher he needs
July 28
Tennessean
 columnist David Climer
"Maybe you were hoping Brett Favre would come out of retirement, at least long enough to show off his Super Bowl ring and photo album. Perhaps Donovan McNabb was more to your taste. Taking all things into consideration, though, Matt Hasselbeck is the best the Titans could do when it came to acquiring a veteran quarterback. At age 35 and with some injury issues on his résumé, Hasselbeck knows his days as an NFL starter are numbered. He hits town with a full understanding of his role. He has agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal but if Hasselbeck is still around in 2013 it means Jake Locker has not lived up to the expectations of a No. 8 overall draft pick. Hasselbeck will start in the"
Titans' returnees impressed with rookie QB Jake Locker's leadership, willingness to learn
July 27
Nashville City Paper
 
"Jake Locker has yet to throw a pass in an NFL game but he is already gaining fans — his teammates. The rookie quarterback most likely won points with his new teammates and coaching staff when he was the first Tennessee Titan to show up at Baptist Sports Park on Tuesday. It marked the first day players could voluntarily report to team facilities after the 136-day lockout ended on Monday. The former University of Washington quarterback actually arrived at about 8:30 a.m., 30 minutes before the gates were unlocked. He was joined shortly after by fellow quarterbacks Rusty Smith and Brett Ratliff. They were the first of more than 20 Titans who shuffled in three days before they are scheduled to"
Tennessee Titans tweak quarterback plans with Kerry Collins gone
July 15
Tennessean
 
"Tennessee Titans Coach Mike Munchak says he's not sure what led quarterback Kerry Collins to announce his retirement from the NFL last week. But he says Collins' decision won't change the Titans' plans to add a veteran quarterback prior to the 2011 season, given the inexperience of Rusty Smith and rookie Jake Locker. "Any time you have two young quarterbacks, obviously you want to have someone in here that's been in the league and played a little bit that can (both) kind of teach a quarterback and start," Munchak said. "We're not looking for a guy that's not capable of starting and winning games for us. We need someone that can come in here and win, and then have a nice competition between"
Ex-Wolverine Jake Long, Joe Thomas tops among NFL offensive tackles
June 27
Detroit News
 
"Being an offensive tackle is a thankless job in the NFL. There is little mention of stats and you never hear them discussed in any fantasy draft conversation. Yet, offensive tackles are one of the most important pieces to a good offense. They protect the quarterback, spearhead the running game and make the offense go. In today's NFL, there are two tackles who stand above the rest: Jake Long (Dolphins) and Joe Thomas (Browns). And their similarities are astonishing: Both learned the position in the rough-and-tumble trenches of the Big Ten: Long at Michigan and Thomas at Wisconsin. Both were high draft picks: Long No. 1 in 2008 and Thomas No. 3 in 2007. Both are perennial Pro"
Tennessee Titans' Jake Locker gets two thumbs up
June 26
Tennessean
 
""What does this play tell me?" Chris Palmer asked that question of himself at least a half-dozen times Thursday while watching film of quarterback Jake Locker. In his dark office at Baptist Sports Park, a laser pointer in his hand, the Titans offensive coordinator rolled through play after play of the eighth overall pick in action for the University of Washington. Games against Cal, Brigham Young, Syracuse, Nebraska and others revealed a variety of answers to the question. One play told Palmer about Locker's arm strength, another about his ability to throw on the run. Later his quick release was on display, along with his ability to run the bootleg to his left and his right. Palmer smiled"
Tennessee Titans like Jake Locker's play
June 9
Tennessean
 
"This wasn't rookie quarterback Jake Locker's first time throwing the football in front of his new Titans teammates. But in his previous workouts, only a few receivers were around. On Wednesday, the first-round pick had 40 sets of eyes on him — not counting media — during an unofficial minicamp at Father Ryan. "I like him," running back Javon Ringer said. "He seems like a very intelligent guy. He was able to pick up the little stuff we were doing really quick, and he seemed very confident. Of course, he has a great arm. Just looking at him body-wise, I am looking forward to seeing him run as well. I feel like he is going to be a productive quarterback." Locker looked a little nervous early."
Titans draft pick Jake Locker polishes his skills
June 5
Tennessean
 
"As an NFL quarterback for more than a decade, Ken O'Brien passed for 25,000-plus yards and was known for his accuracy. In retirement, he's tutored quarterbacks. His most recent pupil: Tennessee Titans rookie Jake Locker. O'Brien likes what he sees. "The big thing about Jake is he is a competitor. When the chips are down, he is not looking around. He looks at himself to make things happen and that is evident from his game film and from being around him," said O'Brien, who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection while playing for the Jets from 1983-92. "Watching him work, he wants to do everything he can to be a better player. And that whole package is only going to get better. I really think he"
Jake Locker joins Tennessee Titans teammates
May 31
Tennessean
 
"Jake Locker hasn't signed a contract, and the workout his new team held on Tuesday morning wasn't exactly official. But the rookie quarterback was with his Titans teammates for the first time. The first round draft pick arrived in town on Monday and took part in conditioning drills with 14 teammates at Father Ryan High School. "Just to be around them and spend time with them and feel comfortable with them, that's important," Locker said. "I think they are just excited to play football. I just want to come out here and work hard and show them that it means something to me.'' Locker had been working out in Washington state and Los Angeles. But he traveled cross-country on Memorial Day, and"
Jake Locker Has Great Chance to Be Week 1 Starter
May 30
Bleacher Report
 columnist Chad Minton
"Not many NFL teams are in a bigger dilemma at quarterback than the Tennessee Titans currently are, and this lockout isn't helping things the slightest bit. Perhaps that's why the Titans drafted a quarterback with a hard-working reputation like Jake Locker, because it's going to take boat loads of hard work for Locker to learn this offense without the luxury of going through organized workouts with the team. Locker has already been said to be planning to get together with his new teammates in the near future to start developing chemistry. It's vital that Locker develops as much as he can during the lockout thanks to the probability of the lockout extending well into the summer. Some have"
Jake Locker to start training in Nashville
May 26
Tennessean
 
"Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker said on Wednesday he plans to begin working out with his new teammates in Nashville next week. Since being selected by the Titans in the first round of the NFL Draft, Locker has been working out in Washington in addition to working with former Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien in Los Angeles, where he also took part in the NFLPA Rookie Premiere weekend. Locker told The Tennessean recently he thought it was important to work with his new teammates during the lockout. Roughly a dozen players have been gathering regularly at Father Ryan High School under the direction of trainer Scott Reall, though other Titans have been working out around town. "It would be"
Titans' Jake Locker a natural-born leader, quarterback greats say
May 15
Tennessean
 
"Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has a pretty good picture of the Titans' locker room culture in recent seasons. With the addition of Jake Locker he expects a big change - for the better. "Your quarterback has to be one of the hardest workers on the team, if not the hardest worker," Moon said. "If he's not, you are going to have problems with leadership, and it is going to be hard to get players to do things you want them to do if you are not putting in the same effort or putting in more. "I think that's been a problem there, I really do. That will not be a problem with Jake Locker, I can tell you that." Moon, who played for the Houston Oilers from 1984-1993 and was a teammate of new"
Jake Locker brings both a history of losing — and of a major turnaround
May 9
Nashville City Paper
 
"Jake Locker is familiar with losing. It might discomfit Tennessee Titans fan to learn that their new quarterback was 16-24 as a starter in four years at the University of Washington. But when the Titans looked at that record, they saw opportunity. The franchise went 6-10 last year and hasn't won a playoff game since 2003. With a rookie coach and a rebuilding campaign ahead, the lumps might continue. The Titans need a headstrong quarterback who can lead the way and isn't discouraged by adversity. They believe Locker's experiences — i.e. his defeats — will help him cope. "He is one of the rare quarterbacks that came out that has experienced that much lack of success in certain areas,""
Tennessee Titans' Jake Locker: Natural-born leader
May 4
Tennessean
 
"Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has a pretty good picture of the Titans' locker room culture in recent seasons. With the addition of Jake Locker he expects a big change — for the better. "Your quarterback has to be one of the hardest workers on the team, if not the hardest worker," Moon said. "If he's not, you are going to have problems with leadership, and it is going to be hard to get players to do things you want them to do if you are not putting in the same effort or putting in more. "I think that's been a problem there, I really do. That will not be a problem with Jake Locker, I can tell you that." Moon, who played for the Houston Oilers from 1984-1993 and was a teammate of new"
Titans will be patient with Locker
April 30
Tennessean
 
"A day after picking Washington quarterback Jake Locker in the first round, Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said he's sure glad the organization didn't wait. "I think Minnesota would have taken him at 12,'' Reinfeldt said of the Vikings, who ended up taking Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder. "If he's the guy you really want I think you just take him and go forward." But Reinfeldt made it clear on Friday night the team won't rush Locker into action. He plans to pursue a veteran quarterback, either in free agent or by trade. Veteran Kerry Collins remains an option, but the team will explore its options. "I think we'd still like a guy that's been a seasoned guy that could step"
Jake Locker says his accuracy is non-issue for NFL career with Tennessee Titans
April 30
Tennessean
 
"Accuracy issues? What accuracy issues? Draft gurus were almost unanimous in saying that quarterback Jake Locker will need to improve his accuracy from the pocket in order to make a big impact in the NFL. But as he appeared in front of Nashville media on Friday for the first time, the Titans first-round draft pick said he doesn't think his accuracy is an issue. "I don't believe I have an accuracy problem, so I'm not worried about it, and you guys don't have to be worried about it, either," said Locker, who completed about 55 percent of his passes as a senior at Washington last season. That's not to say Locker wouldn't like to improve upon his completion rate after hitting about 54 percent"
Jake Locker gives Tennessee Titans an old-school leader
April 29
Tennessean
 columnist David Climer
"Over the last couple of weeks, the Titans' front office identified Jake Locker as their quarterback of the future —perhaps the near future. On Thursday night, the Titans got their man. By selecting Locker, a former star at the University of Washington, as the No. 8 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Titans are pinning their hopes on a quarterback with undeniable athleticism, undisputed arm strength and unquestioned work ethic, but also with some troubling questions about his accuracy. "It's a guy we liked early, we targeted early, and we were ecstatic when he fell to us," said Titans Coach Mike Munchak. General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said the selection was "a full consensus""
Titans staff pleased to have Locker, now focused on Round 2 of draft
April 29
Nashville City Paper
 
"Nick Fairley was still available. So was Blaine Gabbert. But the Tennessee Titans didn't sway from their plan of attack when it was their turn to make the eighth selection in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft on Thursday night. So, they snagged former University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, whom Titan officials had eyed all offseason — visiting with him on five occasions. "I think it was a full consensus," Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "Everybody involved — the scouts, the coaches, the head coach, the general manager — I think it is a guy we liked early, we targeted early and we were ecstatic when he fell to us." "As a competitor, you wanted to get drafted as"
Tennessee Titans see leader in Jake Locker
April 29
Tennessean
 
"On his way back from a cross-country trip to Washington last month to watch quarterback Jake Locker run through some drills, Mike Munchak thought back to his playing days. He pictured himself in the huddle with Locker, and felt how much he and others would "love playing for this guy." The workout amounted to only a brief glimpse, but the new Titans coach came away impressed with Locker's intensity, ability and potential. Munchak was won over. So were the Titans, who snapped up Locker with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. "I think he has something special in that he'll bring out the best in other players," Munchak said. "I think they'll play hard for him. I think he is"