Jake Locker will be the starting quarterback for Tennessee to start the regular season, according to Jim Wyatt. This news came as a surprise to some after the weekend’s performance, when Locker played like the young, inexperienced player that he is. Locker started the game against Tampa Bay and went only 4-of-11 for 21 yards, and threw an interception.

However, it’s not surprising when you consider his draft status and the performance of Matt Hasselbeck. According to camp reports, Locker was leading the competition based on scrimmages and practice performance. Hasselbeck did not exactly put up the type of performance in the first two games, either, that dictated that it was a far better option to start him at the outset. (9-14, 74 yards, and 2 interceptions).

Locker adds athleticism as a running quarterback who can open lanes for the running game with the pressure he puts on the defense on rollouts. What you are going to get with Locker this year is inconsistency, but flashes of potential. His completion percentage is going to be low. Maybe not Tebow-low, but I doubt it is above 55%. He’s going to make some big plays with his arm and feet. He’s also going to have some bad performances, like the one from Friday.

I don’t think it is a case of Tennessee conceding the division or a wild card spot. Plenty of second year quarterbacks starting for the first time have led playoff pushes. I think it’s more a case of the Titans thinking there is not as much downside right now, with Hasselbeck at age 37 and throwing a fair amount of interceptions in the preseason and scrimmages. You can always start Locker, and if he plays for 100 throws like he played for 11 (and let’s keep in mind that was 11 of several hundred the Titans have watched in camp), then you can go back to Hasselbeck. The belief that such a situation submarines a quarterback is completely overstated. If he’s a player, he will develop and recover even if Hasselbeck gets some starts.

Previously: 2012 NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Bucs
Previously: Fantasy Football: Top 150 Players for 2012

[photo via US Presswire]