"Rookie Jake Locker (10) has impressed Titans coaches, but veteran Matt Hasselbeck, if healthy, will start against the Colts. - GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN
By Jim Wyatt | The Tennessean
After watching their prized first-round pick perform so well against the Saints, the Titans can't say enough good things about rookie quarterback Jake Locker.
Whether it was his acrobatic 6-yard touchdown run, or the poise he showed while directing several drives down the stretch, Locker clearly made an impression, even in defeat.
"You don't coach that," offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said of Locker's touchdown run. "Mom, dad and God give you that."
That doesn't mean the Titans are about to make a change, however. Coach Mike Munchak acknowledged the good vibes about Locker on Monday, but he also reiterated that Matt Hasselbeck would be the starter as long as he's healthy.
The 13th-year pro's health is a question mark, however, heading into Sunday's game against the Colts. He suffered a calf injury in the second quarter against the Saints and was unable to finish.
"They both give us a chance to win. I don't think there's any doubt," Munchak said. "We've been saying it since Jake came in and showed how well he handled himself. But we have been talking about what Matt has been doing for us all season, and because of an injury now's not the time to make a change.
"If Matt is not healthy, that is another conversation. But if Matt is healthy and ready to roll, he'll be the guy."
Tests on Hasselbeck's left calf on Monday revealed a mild strain. He was sore but walked the hallways of Baptist Sports Park without too much trouble.
How he would react with Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis chasing him is another matter, of course.
Last season, quarterback Kerry Collins suffered a calf injury and missed two games. Hasselbeck's injury isn't as serious as the one Collins suffered, Munchak said.
The Titans return to the practice field Wednesday to start preparing for the Colts. Then the Titans face the Jaguars and Texans to close the regular season. They probably need to win all three games to have a chance at making the playoffs as a wild card.
"We're looking at it as if we are in the middle of a playoff run here, and we have to win these three games," Munchak said. "And if Matt is healthy, then he'll quarterback us. (But) until you get out there and start moving around and doing some things a quarterback has to do, we'll know a lot more then."
Locker looked more than capable in relief against the Saints, passing for 282 yards and a touchdown in a 22-17 loss that went down to the last play. He also rallied the Titans against the Falcons on Nov. 20, after Hasselbeck was injured in the third quarter, but Atlanta held on to win 23-17.
Locker's passer rating is 96.6, but his completion percentage is 46 percent. Hasselbeck has an 82.9 rating with 61 percent completions.
Munchak raved about Locker's performance coming off the bench against the Saints.
If the rookie has to make his first NFL start against the Colts, he has his coach's confidence.
"I think it would be easier for him," Munchak said. "I think it's nice knowing you're the guy, if it came to that. And ... he is obviously waiting for that opportunity for when he does have that position."