By Jim Wyatt | The Tennessean
It's been the talk all offseason, and Titans Coach Mike Munchak knows the topic won't go away any time soon.
Which quarterback -- veteran Matt Hasselbeck or 2011 first-round pick Jake Locker -- will be the team's starter on opening day against the Patriots?
When the Titans begin training camp on July 28, the race will continue.
"Everyone is always excited about the new guy. I think that's how it always is, especially in the quarterback world,'' Munchak said. "I think people enjoyed watching Matt, being a Super Bowl quarterback, and what he brought to the team last year.
"But everyone wants to see Jake. As soon as Jake started playing it was, 'Let's see the young guy.' And I think no matter what happens at the quarterback spot, some people are going to want the old guy, some are going to want the young guy. It's going to go back and forth."
Hasselbeck, heading into his 14th NFL season, played well for the Titans last year. In 16 starts, he threw for 3,571 yards and 18 touchdowns while guiding the team to a 9-7 mark.
Locker played well when he came off the bench during his rookie season, however. He didn't throw an interception, and seemed to provide a spark whenever he entered games.
Both quarterbacks performed well during offseason practices. Munchak has said he'd like to name a starter by the end of the preseason.
"I am really proud of both quarterbacks. We are very pleased with both of them,'' offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said. "They're even. It is a competition right now. Coach Munchak has made that statement and when the time comes and everyone is comfortable with who the starting quarterback is, then Coach Munchak will announce it."
Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-8015 or jwyatt@tennessean.com.