Chris Johnson confirmed that the Titans plan to run more of a pass-heavy offense in 2012. Titans second-year OC Chris Palmer has background in the run-and-shoot, and his scheme should become more fully integrated after Palmer's first offseason in Tennessee. "We were more of a smash-mouth team when I got here," Johnson said. "Now it is more of a passing offense." This is good news for fantasy sleeper Jake Locker, who will put up plenty of attempts when he replaces Matt Hasselbeck.

Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said the Titans' quarterback battle is "even" right now.

ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky stated on NFL Live Wednesday that he believes the Titans' quarterback job is truly open to competition. A Nashville columnist recently suggested the QB battle was a mirage, and that Matt Hasselbeck will win. "I think there's an inherent advantage in being the incumbent," Kuharsky acknowleged. "Matt Hasselbeck has the experience. The Titans' schedule starts very hard. But beyond that, I really do think they're telling the truth. Where they're saying 'we're throwing it open to these two guys. They have equal chances to win.' And if the kid (Jake Locker) with a little bit more moxie and who can do more with his legs outperforms Hasselbeck -- or their gut feeling tells them it's time to turn it over -- they're not gonna hesitate to turn it over to the guy who they feel is the future of the franchise."

Titans coach Mike Munchak says Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck will split reps 50:50 down the middle until a starter is named. And Munchak hopes to name that starter ahead of the third preseason game, which NFL teams traditionally treat like a true regular-season audition. "Going into that third game you would like to have an idea of what your plan is," Munchak said. "I feel so good about both of them I am not necessarily leaning either way on it. I feel like either way it is going to be a good situation for the team."

Titans GM Ruston Webster says the team will decide its 2012 quarterback starter based on "gut feeling." "I'm not a huge stats guy," said Webster. "It will probably be a gut feel more than anything else. ... (The player) who, in a tight race, we feel like has the best chance to help us win, even though we're comfortable with either one of them." Webster says he's "not sure" the Titans will make a quick decision in training camp. Jake Locker, for now, is considered the underdog.

Coach Mike Munchak insists neither Jake Locker nor Matt Hasselbeck will be handed the Titans' starting quarterback job this summer. The Tennessee beat writers consider Hasselbeck the favorite, but Locker is certainly talented enough to overtake him. "These two guys are competitive and they understand no one's going to be given the job," Munchak said. "We're gonna let it play out. ... As a staff, you hope it becomes obvious fairly early on, and hope it doesn't take until the last week of camp, because someone has to play."

Titans GM Ruston Webster hinted that the team will not pursue Peyton Manning this offseason. Manning is often connected to the Titans because he went to college at Tennessee, but Webster is "excited" about his QB situation with Jake Locker pushing Matt Hasselbeck this offseason. Webster confirmed that Locker showed enough in practices and three relief stints to warrant a fair shot at the starting job.

New Titans GM Ruston Webster is on board with coach Mike Munchak's plan to stage a quarterback competition in 2012. "Like (Munchak) said, they'll fight it out, and we'll see who comes out on top there," Webster said. "Our quarterback situation is something I'm very pleased with, very happy with." After the Titans offense sputtered badly down the stretch under Matt Hasselbeck this season, it should be a competition 2011 first-round pick Jake Locker is given every opportunity to win.

Coach Mike Munchak stated Monday that the Titans will open their quarterback position to competition in 2012. There's reason to think the Titans may have been playoff bound right now if they'd have started Jake Locker over Matt Hasselbeck late in the season. "I wouldn't tell (Locker) he can't start next year," said Munchak, adding that he envisions a camp battle. The No. 8 pick in last April's draft, Locker completed 34-of-66 passes in 2011 for 542 yards (8.2 YPA), four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He's also a big-time positive rushing yardage threat. With Hasselbeck in decline, it's fair to wonder if Locker might run circles around the veteran in 2012 training camp.

Jake Locker (ribs) practiced fully again Friday and is listed as probable for Week 15. Locker's injury won't affect his availability for Sunday's game, but Matt Hasselbeck's (calf) ability to practice on both Thursday and Friday means Locker will be the Titans' backup quarterback in Indianapolis. Barring an unforeseen change in the Titans' Week 15 plans, Locker is no longer a two-QB league option.