Jake Locker the Right QB Draft Pick for the Tenessee Titans

COMMENTARY | Cam Newton's Number One selection by the Carolina Panthers came as no surprise to most draft analysts. What did come as a surprise was the subsequent waiting period for QB Blaine Gabbert out of Missouri. The Tennessee Titans added to that mystery by picking Jake Locker as their key quarterback. After having Vince Young's attitude for a period of time, it really wasn't surprising that the Titans went with Locker. Locker is "Mr. Right Answer." He is a team guy with a great work ethic.

Chris Talbott has posted an article at titansonline.com titled "New Titans QB Jake Locker all Smiles in Tennessee."

Gabbert and Newton were viewed by many pundits, interchangeably, as the Number One and Number One-A quarterbacks in the draft. By the time Tennessee's pick came up at Number Eight, it seemed the Titans would pick Gabbert since he was still available and they were looking for a replacement for Young.

However, Locker, while perhaps not the most gifted quarterback, gives Tennessee exactly what they are looking for. He is a player whose key desire is to be a part of team. He is "old-fashioned" in that money isn't the key thing in his life. He passed his junior season going in for the draft, opting to stay with a team, the Washington Huskies, which had not won a game (0-12), his sophomore year.

As aforementioned, Locker eschewed the draft to stay with the Huskies despite the fact that they had a lot of disarray with two head coaches. Ultimately, as a senior, Locker led the Huskies to a Holiday Bowl victory against the mighty Nebraska.

Locker also could have played in the Major Leagues -- he was drafted a couple of times by the California Angels.

Similar to Gabbert, Locker has excellent leadership skills and a fantastic work ethic. Also, he displays a rocket arm and is extremely mobile. Also, I think he is more prepared to start from day one--something the Titans may require of him, given their current quarterback situation.

Locker comes to Tennessee with accuracy and historical (broken thumb) health issues. If they can help him overcome those, then his desire and work ethic will help a team that already has a lot of talent.

Jake Locker was a good pick.

Reference:

titansonline.com, Chris Talbott, "New Titans QB Jake Locker all Smiles in Tennessee"