Training Camp Battles: Hasselbeck vs Locker

     The Tennessee Titans are dealing with the classic quarterback battle, where they must choose between youth and experience. Matt Hasselbeck is on the wrong side of 30, only a few years out of retirement. What once was Seattle's biggest star is now fighting for the starting job in Tennessee. The future HOF had one of his best seasons last year, passing for 3,571 yards, 18 TDs, and a completion percentage of 61.6%. His performance in 2011 was by far his best since '07, and will make it extremely difficult for Locker to win over the starting job. On the other hand, we have 24 year old sophomore quarterback Jake Locker. As a junior in college, Locker threw for 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, leaving many to speculate wether he is the favorite to win the Heisman as a senior. However, after a disappointing senior season, not only did he miss out on Heisman honers, but he fell to 8th overall in the 2011 Draft. Locker had an uneventful rookie season, playing in 5 games with 542 passing yards, 4 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD. The Washington-alum appears to be dead even with Hasselbeck in this year's quarterback competition, for they both seem to get an equal amount of snaps throughout the duration of training camp.

Bottom Line: Hasselbeck deserves the starting job, but if age were to catch up with this veteran, Locker should finish out the season.

Credit: Jae S. Lee, The Tennessean