Jake Locker has looked comfortable and poised in the pocket for the Tennessee Titans throughout training camp, a sign of his continual development as an NFL quarterback.
Days before his first career start, Locker vowed not to place an undue amount of stress on himself entering Friday night's game at Tampa Bay. Locker is competing with Matt Hasselbeck for the Titans' starting quarterback position.
“I try not to make too much of a big deal out of it,” Locker said. “I think it’s more just an extension of what we’ve done in practice. If you’ve watched practice it’s the same thing. We’ve been rotating with the ones and twos -- who starts the drill and who comes in second. It’s great to have the opportunity. I’m excited about it.”
Locker's cool disposition has translated well to the huddle, where he has impressed his teammates with his leadership and command of the offense.
“He's probably the most mature guy I've met at his age and his position,” WR Nate Washington said. “His attitude is always positive, even if something goes wrong. I think it is going to work out for us.”
Locker has flourished particularly in hurry-up situations.
In last Saturday's preseason opener, the second-year quarterback went 5 of 7 in the four-minute offense to end the first half, leading the Titans from deep in their own end into position for a field goal. The first sign of Locker's ability to come through in the clutch came in last year's loss to the Saints, when he nearly led the Titans to a double-deficit comeback.
“I feel comfortable and confident when we get into it,” Locker said. “I don’t know if it has to do with my temperament or the confidence we have going into it. You have a really good idea of what you’re going to see defensively most times when you’re in the hurry-up. I think all those things together allow you to play fast.”
Hasselbeck is doing his best to block out the possibility that he could start the regular season as a backup for the first time in more than a decade.
“I'm not spending any time thinking about it because it's a grind in training camp,” Hasselbeck said. “I'm trying to learn from the mistakes and really try not to make the same mistake twice.”
Gray installing new packages: Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray has experimented with different personnel when the Titans have gone to pass-rushing situations on third downs.
Gray has moved DEs Derrick Morgan and Pannel Egboh inside at left defensive tackle and used either one with right DT Karl Klug on the other side. It allows the Titans to have four pass rushers on the field at once.
“Tackles are tackles -- those guys are real good,” Gray said. “They kick back and pass protect all the time. Most guards don't want to see a defensive end inside. You can actually win an easier one-on-one. If you win, you're that much closer to the quarterback.”
Gray wants to mix-and-match in the preseason in case several tackles become injured at some point during the regular season.
“If you only have eight defensive linemen and one gets injured the next thing you know you haven't worked any of these guys in,” Gray said. “We're doing a number of things like that right now so if we get in this position it's not a panic mode.”
The Titans have even lined up LBs Akeem Ayers and Zach Brown on the inside at tackle. Both Ayers and Brown have rushed from a stand up position.
“It takes some courage to go in against these guards now,” Gray said.
No updates on Britt: Kenny Britt is unsure when he'll hear from Commissioner Roger Goodell on a possible suspension for his arrest on July 20 for suspicion of DUI. Britt also hasn't set a timetable for when he hopes to be taken off PUP. The fourth-year wide receiver has undergone three knee operations in the last year.
“Injury-wise, I'm doing better,” Britt said. “I'm feeling better.”
Britt will likely work out with S Markelle Martin, who is also on PUP as he recovers from knee surgery. Martin said he resumed light jogging on Monday.
“Come next week we'll try to get into backpedaling and picking up the tempo,” Martin said. “It's downhill from here.”
Out of practice: Offensive tackle Mike Otto left Tuesday night's practice with an injured finger on his right hand. Offensive lineman Kyle DeVan injured his hand during practice but returned. Cornerback Terrence Wheatley (hamstring), S Aaron Francisco (soreness), LB Gerald McRath (knee), T Byron Stingily (ankle), TE Brandon Barden (hamstring) and DE Dave Ball (concussion-like symptoms) missed the practice.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSSportsNFLTEN
