Rookie Titans quarterback Jake Locker throws one while on the run during the team's abbreviated 2011 training camp.

Locker (right) chats with league veteran and likely Titans starter Matt Hasselbeck. Photos by Bracken Mayo

Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s! Arrrghh mateys, the sea gods and football gods have come together and it’s time to toast a shot of whiskey to lady football. As I was sitting in LP Field watching my team, my Tennessee Titans, I was so pumped that the football season was underway. The kickoff was like a high, a high that only a true junkie could appreciate, and I didn’t have to chase that high because I still feel it running through my blood.

So what did I learn about this new Titans football club in the 14-3 preseason-opening victory against the Vikings? Matt Hasselbeck played in only one series and went 5/6 for 55 yards completing his first four passes. Javon Ringer ran the ball twice in the first drive busting for eight yards and then seven yards, keeping every play of the first drive positive. After an impressive drive all the way down to the Vikings’ 16 yard line, Hasselbeck gave up a big fumble on the play, resulting in a 30-yard loss! So after a deep incompletion and an eight-yard pass it was time to punt the ball. If I had to grade Matt’s night, I would give him a B-. He was perfect up until the fumble, and that one play dropped his score. That’s how the Train rates quarterbacks. Passer ratings suck; the Train way is the right way, baby!

I’ll go ahead and tell you what the Train Daddy would give Jake the Snake Locker’s performance. Beside the fact that he is a rookie and it was his first time under the lights playing an opposing NFL defense, Jake gets an A! Not an A+, not an A-, but the Train gives you a solid A. Great job, baby boy! Jake the Snake went 7/10 throwing for 89 yards, 1 TD and no turnovers, getting sacked once resulting in a 130.8 passer rating. That is pretty impressive, especially since he got thrown in very early and was playing with the Vikings’ first-string players. The highlight of the night came from Jake the Snake in the second quarter when he fumbled the snap, then recovered and threw a 45-yard bomb of a touchdown pass to Yamon Figures.

Coach Munch presides over a Titans practice at Baptist Sports Park.

It is still early and I am excited for the future, we have three more pre-season games to evaluate and prepare for the regular season. Coach Munchak, as of now, is rolling with Matt Hasselbeck as the starting quarterback for the season opener. I believe Matt has what it takes, he is a veteran and has the tools and smarts to be successful in big games. My perfect storm would be Matt having a successful couple years as Locker learns and takes it all in. Jake the Snake is going to get his chance regardless; we have the recipe here to create one hell of a quarterback stew!

That’s all I have to say about it for now, yo! I just wanted to talk a little quarterback talk. Keep on checking me out here online. I’ll do my work and throw you Train knowledge and Titans info. Keep up with the Train Daddy during the regular season; the Captain Mayo and I have something special for you. Let’s get ready for the season; it is going to be a hell of a ride if you jump aboard the Train Daddy express!

It's time for another season of smash-mouth Titans football!

The Tennessee Titans 2011 Schedule:
Preseason (all games at 7 p.m. Central):
Minnesota Vikings
Sat, 08/13

@ St. Louis Rams
Sat, 08/20

Chicago Bears
Sat, 08/27

@ New Orleans Saints
Thu, 09/01

The Real Deal (all games at noon Central, other than Nov. 6):
@ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, Sept. 11

Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, Sept. 18

Denver Broncos
Sunday, Sept. 25

@ Cleveland Browns
Sunday, Sept. 2

@ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, Oct. 9

Houston Texans
Sunday, Oct. 23

Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Oct. 30

Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3:05 p.m.

@ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, Nov. 13

@ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, Nov. 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, Nov. 27

@ Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Dec. 4

New Orleans Saints
Sunday, Dec. 11

@ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Dec. 18

Jacksonville Jaguars
Saturday, Dec. 24

@ Houston Texans
Sunday, Jan. 1