Report: Titans to name Jake Locker starting quarterback

Sources say the Titans will name Jake Locker starting quarterback. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Titans appear ready to usher in the Jake Locker era.

The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt reports the Titans have chosen Locker to be their starting quarterback for the 2012 season, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Locker, the team’s first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, competed with veteran Matt Hasselbeck during the course of the offseason and in the preseason. Overall, however, Locker has had a solid training camp. In practices, he’s thrown just three interceptions in training camp practices, compared to 11 for Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck started all 16 games last season after signing a three-year, $20 million deal with the team.

Titans Coach Mike Munchak said on Sunday he planned to name a starter on Monday. According to sources, the Titans have decided on Locker. An official announcement is expected later on Monday.

Locker will start the team’s preseason finale on Thursday against the Cardinals.

Locker started his first NFL game on Friday at Tampa Bay, and didn’t play well.

He completed just 4-of-11 passes for 21 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 30-7 win over the Buccaneers.

Locker has completed 11-of-24 (45.8 percent) passes for 101 yards and an interception in the preseason while Hasselebeck is 9-of-14 (64.3 percent) for 74 yards and two interceptions in the two games. Locker’s passer rating in the preseason is 40.5, compared to 38.1 for Hasselbeck.