The Tennessee Titans continued to make offensive installations as training camp progresses, adding a hurry-up offense to 11-on-11 drills at Tuesday's practice.
Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck excelled in presnap situations. At one point, Locker earned a first down for the offense by pulling a defensive lineman offsides on a fourth-and-short. Soon after, Locker went to another hard count that caused TE Taylor Thompson to commit a false start. Hasselbeck is regarded by many as one of the top QBs in the NFL in making presnap adjustments.
With defensive coordinator Jerry Gray sending blitzes from different angles throughout the simulated situations, both QBs were put to the test.
“Jerry does a great job with his defense calling blitzes,” coach Mike Munchak said. “The more a quarterback can realize the value of those kind of things you get the defense to jump. Also the defense will show you coverages, they'll show you where the blitz is coming and you can change protections. I think as a quarterback it's great to see them working on that.”
Hasselbeck and Locker are engaged in a tight battle for the Titans' starting QB job. Although Locker arguably outperformed Hasselbeck over the first three days of practice, Hasselbeck looked sharper Tuesday.
The three-time Pro Bowl QB was 8 of 9 in one sequence, including completions on intermediate routes to WRs Nate Washington and Damian Williams, as well as TE Jared Cook. Hasselbeck had good zip on his passes for the majority of the afternoon session.
Hasselbeck's lone error came on a slant intended for Cook. The 36-year old QB tried to fit a pass into double coverage, but Cook was beaten to the spot by S Robert Johnson. It was Hasselbeck's only interception of the practice.
Locker connected often with Michael Preston on Tuesday, completing three straight passes to the second-year receiver early in the drill. Locker's best completion may have come on a slant to Cook against zone coverage from LBs Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers. CB Alterraun Verner was also beaten on the play.
The second-year QB struggled when facing pressure. Two of Locker's throws landed behind Thompson midway through the drill, including one errant pass forced by a blitz from S Al Alfalava. Locker also dumped two short passes into the ground after feeling pressure from defensive linemen Keyunta Dawson and Dave Ball.
Although Hasselbeck and Locker took reps with the first and second teams, Hasselbeck received better protection from the offensive line.
Day 4 Totals: Hasselbeck: 17 of 22, 1 TD, 1 INT; Locker: 10 of 21, 0 TD, 0 INT
Day 4 Advantage: Hasselbeck
Training Camp Totals: Hasselbeck: 46 of 65, 1 TD, 3 INTs; Locker: 44 of 71, 0 TD, 1 INT
Training Camp Advantage (through Day 4): Even
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