Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean stated on NFL Live Monday that he expects Matt Hasselbeck to open the 2012 season as the Titans' starting quarterback. "Mike Munchak has said that the early-season schedule will weigh into his decision when he eventually makes one in training camp," Wyatt said. "I think the veteran Matt Hasselbeck gives them the best chance to win. Obviously, they're very high on Jake Locker. J ake Locker played well when he came into games for Hasselbeck last year. He's had a good offseason. But Hasselbeck had a good 2011 season as well. ... I think Matt Hasselbeck will give them the best chance to win early. I think he has a shorter leash -- certainly -- in 2012. (But) I think it's his job to lose at this point."

Tennessean columnist David Climer "suspects" Matt Hasselbeck is "solidly ahead" of Jake Locker right now. Climer is just connecting the dots here, not reporting. He cites Hasselbeck's experience and the Titans' brutal early-season schedule as reasons the veteran will start in Week 1. The organization -- and the two quarterbacks -- are both on the record saying it's an open competition.

Coach Mike Munchak acknowledged that the Titans' difficult early-season schedule could factor into the team's quarterback decision. Tennessee opens versus New England, at San Diego, versus Detroit, and at Houston. "You always look at what's coming up," Munchak said. "... Those are not really the main things, but you have to factor everything in." While the Titans vow to split reps 50:50 between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker, Munchak's comments suggest the camp battle will tilt toward the experienced player.

ESPN's Adam Schefter predicts that Matt Hasselbeck will open the season as the Titans' starter and keep the job "as long as he's healthy and productive." Schefter believes Hasselbeck could even wind up starting for "this whole season," and Jake Locker will only play if Hasselbeck gets hurt or the Titans start losing. Schefter has joined top beat writer Jim Wyatt as well as ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky in predicting that Hasselbeck will beat out Locker.

ESPN's Paul Kuharsky expects Matt Hasselbeck to open the season as the Titans' starting quarterback. Kuharsky is an ex-Titans beat writer, and his former colleague at the Nashville Tennessean, Jim Wyatt, believes Hasselbeck will beat out Jake Locker, too. Kuharsky notes that the Titans' coaches "love" Hasselbeck, and Locker would either need a "tremendous" camp or a Hasselbeck injury to wrest the position. Hasselbeck posted a 5:8 TD-to-INT ratio and 6.68 YPA in the Titans' final eight games last year. The 37-year-old (in September) could have a limiting early-season effect on an otherwise potentially explosive Tennessee offense.

The Nashville Tennesseean's Jim Wyatt expects Matt Hasselbeck to beat out Jake Locker for the Titans' quarterback job.

GM Ruston Webster reiterated Thursday that the Titans will hold an "open competition" at quarterback this summer. The Titans appear firmly committed to giving 2011 first-round pick Jake Locker a chance to overtake Matt Hasselbeck. Locker was dynamic in short bursts down the stretch last season, while Hasselbeck struggled mightily after getting off to a hot start. Following the Titans' Week 6 bye, Hasselbeck posted a 75.2 QB rating and 9:10 TD:INT ratio. Even if he's able to hold Locker in camp, he'll be on a short leash during the season.

The Nashville Tennessean's Jim Wyatt expects Matt Hasselbeck to "hold off" Jake Locker in training camp this summer. Wyatt is one of the most dependable beat writers in the country, but we have to part ways with him on this issue. Hasselbeck actually hampered the team's playoff chances down the stretch, outplayed by Locker in relief in a couple of games. Hasselbeck carries the respect of the locker room and the coaching staff, but he can't match Locker's play-making ability. This battle will be decided on the field in August.

After opening the job to competition, coach Mike Munchak said Monday that he expects the Titans' 2012 starting quarterback to become "obvious" on the practice field in training camp. "He played better than we thought he'd come in and do," conceded Munchak of rookie Jake Locker. "(Locker and Matt Hasselbeck) competed this year, I felt, and when we get back and start work ... I think they would assume they are going to come out and compete against one another. And as always, as we should say, the best guy should play." Hasselbeck is due a $5.5 million base salary in 2012. If it becomes "obvious" Locker is better, the Titans may be forced to ask Hasselbeck to take a pay cut next summer.

Coach Mike Munchak confirmed that Matt Hasselbeck (calf) is "ready to go" for Saturday's game against the Jaguars. Hasselbeck has put in a full week of practice after missing time last week. We suspect his leash will be much shorter this time around, so there's a chance he could be pulled for Jake Locker by halftime if the Titans aren't moving the ball.