Titans Win In Pittsburgh But Jake Locker, Quarterback Concerns Remain

Jake Locker: Tennessee Titans Win In Pittsburgh, QB Still a Concern

Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Titans won the game, 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

On Sep. 8, the Tennessee Titans got a much needed win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-9. The defense played much better than expected and the Titans were able to pull off the upset victory. The Titans snapped the Steelers’ streak of 10 straight home-opener wins and got after Ben Roethlisberger, sacking him five times. It was a great win.

Let’s get right down to it. Jake Locker is not a franchise quarterback.

Criticize me all you’d like, however, I’ve watched the game long enough to know that he just isn’t the answer. If fans don’t see that then they must have a book of excuses on why he can still be the answer.

When is it time to say he’s just not good?

Yeah we can sit around and say “It was only the first game” or “It was against the Steelers defense”. But its time to come to our senses.

Locker will have some decent games here and there but when it comes down to good defenses and handling pressure, Jake is terrible. His stat line showed 11-of-20 for 125 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. That’s a 55-percent completion percentage. He could’ve easily thrown two interceptions throwing terrible passes that were popped into the air for any defender to grab. His incomplete passes were underthrown, thrown behind his receivers or overthrown.

For Locker, this was a poor showing. It looks like he has not progressed at all. The only aspect of his game was that he learned to slide. For once.

Dowell Loggains play-calling in the run game was very predictable and it led to 42 total carries for 112 yards. That’s an average of 2.7 yards per carry. A big part of this was Jake’s inability to throw the ball. This offensive line also needs to get better up front. I do believe the unit will figure it out through the season.

This was a great win for the Titans but they have 15 more games to play. How much confidence can the Titans have in Locker? When will the time come to pass the torch over to a veteran quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick?

Looking at this team from today, it makes me feel like they can get to the playoffs…with a quarterback. Locker is not the answer. He will have his hands full in Houston next week.

There are many questions to be answered after this game and much more work to be done as a team. The defense really stepped up today. Stopping the run was my main key to victory. It was only the first game but enough is enough when it comes to babying Locker and making up excuses for why he’s bad.

Titans fans are blinded by Locker’s characteristics and athleticism. It’s time to look at what he does on the field instead of how great of a guy he is off the field. Big win tonight and hopefully it continues whichever way the organization decides to go, but the faith in Locker is fading quickly.