Time For Mike Munchak to Make a Big Boy Decision
by Jimmy on Dec 19, 2011 2:20 PM CST
in Tennessee Titans News
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Mike Munchak is no longer the offensive line coach. He is the head coach, and with that title comes increased responsibility. It was apparent from the first play of the game yesterday that Matt Hasselbeck was not healthy enough to play in that game. It is on Munch to make the evaluation that Hasselbeck is not healthy enough to go and put Jake Locker in the game.
This is not even about benching Haselbeck after a bad series or because Locker has played well in limited action. This is about making the best decision for the team. Munch was right when he said after the game that Hasselbeck was not the problem, but his downright refusal to throw the ball down the field was a problem.
It almost seemed yesterday like they were playing not to lose the game instead of playing to win the game. Hasselbeck, it would seem, is less likely to make the "rookie mistake" and put the Titans in a bad spot. It seemed like Munchak thought that the Titans would eventually do something right and win the game because the Colts are so bad.
The funny thing is that Matt Hasselbeck did make a rookie mistake on the throw that was intercepted in the fourth quarter. He threw up a duck in the middle of the field. That usually doesn't end well for a quarterback in high school, much less the NFL.
There is absolutely no other choice this week than to name Locker the starter, and again, it is because Locker gives this team the best chance to win right now with Hasselbeck being injured. I am going to be extremely disappointed in Munchak if he says anything else this afternoon.
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Is this a second-half thread to "Taking A Step Back..." post?
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Things were getting a little crazy there.
We got into Gramsey’s tight column and all…
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
I hate when he tries to jam us all in there.
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He will not have my support if he doesn't do this.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:33 PM CST reply actions
I agree that Locker gives this team the best chance to win right now.
I don’t think that necessarily makes naming him the starter the obvious decision.
If the coaching staff wants to give Locker another offseason of development before pushing him into being the starter because they think that is best for the long term success of the franchise, then I have no problems with them running Hass back out there for the next 2 weeks.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:33 PM CST reply actions
I think this decision is a lot closer than everyone's making it out to be.
I also don’t see why everyone’s going to jump off the Munchak train if he makes a decision they don’t agree with.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:34 PM CST reply actions
Knee-jerk reactions.
Quite honestly, I’m fine with either. I want to see the new guy just as much as everyone else (especially going to the game), but I can understand putting Hasselbeck out there if that is the decision. Don’t have to agree with it, but I could understand it.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I can see reasons for both.
I still would rather not play Locker, but I also understand Hasselbeck is hurt, we’re still “in contention” for a playoff spot, everyone wants to see the shiny new QB, etc. Overall though, even if Munchak makes a decision I disagree with, his body of work has been good.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Whose body of work?
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
Munchak's, sorry.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, and that's where my "knee jerk" comes in.
Let’s look at this season as a whole rather than one shitty game by every member of that team from coaches to players. This season has been more successful than any one of us imagined it would be, with multiple glimpses of a bright future ahead.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Right, I really don't care at this point.
I’d rather save the wheels on Locker.
What difference does it really make?
WHY DO WE LOVE QB CONTROVERSY SO MUCH?!!!!1
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I wish we didn't have this.
Hopefully Locker becomes a superstar and we don’t have to worry about it for a decade or so.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Its not knee-jerk just because you don't agree with it.
If Munchak can’t make this decision now, it will show he didn’t learn from his mistake against the Colts, and more importantly that he just doesn’t know how to evaluate what is this football teams best chance to win.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
That's an overreaction.
He makes one decision you don’t agree with and then he won’t ever make good decisions from again? Really? That’s what we’re going with?
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
So it's not a knee-jerk reaction to jump off of Munchak after one shitty, shitty game?
Again, I’m fine with either decision. I can understand the rationale for both. I think it’s a Chicken Little mentality to say, “Oh noes! Munchak didn’t pick the guy I wanted to start! HE SUX!!!11”
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
Apparently, you didn't get the memo.
If you disagree with the coach, even once, he’s a terrible head coach and should be fired.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Its not that he didn't pick who i wanted to start.
Its that he didn’t pick the person who will give us the best chance to win the football game. Hasselbeck-Locker is the new Ruud-McCarthy.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Do you think there are other factors in play that we are not privy to?
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
There always are.
But its clear as day that our offense with Hasselbeck = anemic, and our offense with Locker = atleast average.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:46 PM CST up reply actions
I agree to an extent.
But it’s also worth considering the context. Even Locker said post game that he was seeing a lot of prevent.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
Quarterback Jake Locker
On the improved play of the offense after replacing quarterback Matt Hasselbeck:
“They were playing so soft. It was just catch and throw. It wasn’t anything special. I think it was more what we were getting defensively that allowed us to move the ball. The guys played hard, you give them credit for that, but the Colts had gone to a prevent defense.”
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Nice.
Will you follow me around in real life, proving all the claims I make to the people I’m talking to?
That would be awesome.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
You'd have to pay him for that.
With gold.
[disclaimer: this poster has no idea what the hell he's talking about.]
The future is bright for this Titans squad.
by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 19, 2011 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
I desire Diamonds
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I can also double as your own person band/full-time theme music provider
just sayin’
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You're hired.
I want my theme song to be “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
I want the Diamonds up front
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Will Zales do?
Or do you prefer Kay Jewelers?
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
GIMME DA MONIES!!!!11<<<
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Obviously I am not talking about only yesterday.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:51 PM CST up reply actions
I just think its waaaay more complex than that.
Its an oversimplification, in my opinion.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Do go ahead and divine it all for me then.
Do you disagree that when Hasselbeck is in the offense is anemic?
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
I think the offense was anemic yesterday.
Due to Palmer, Hasselbeck, CJ, the receivers and the line. I would not classify their production as anemic for the year, except CJ’s.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
The last 6 games or so, including the Tampa game.
I have seen an offense about on par with the Jags.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
Whoa now...we shall not compare Hasselbeck to Sunshine.
No matter how poorly he may be playing recently. He is still better than Sunshine.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
I am not comparing Hasselbeck to Gabbert, i am saying our offenses have had similar production.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
But switching one player fixes it all?
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
No, it turns it into an average offense.
Which is a hell of a step up from what we have seen lately.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
We disagree on that, and will continue to.
Locker doesn’t catch the throws or call the plays.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:58 PM CST up reply actions
Look at the Saints game.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
He caught a throw in the Saints game?
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The future is bright for this Titans squad.
by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 19, 2011 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, about that...
Wan’t it said that Locker audibled to the run play to CJ in the final minute?
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
You are right, that totally discounts his production from earlier in the game.
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Dec 19, 2011 3:03 PM CST up reply actions
Oh no, I credit him for what he did.
I was there, praying for a miracle finish. And I meant the above from me as a repsonse to Winny. Forgive me for butting in on the argument.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
"I was there, praying for a miracle finish."
You ol’ Tebow you.
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Nate Washington Fanboy
For the record,
I think there are some traits of Locker’s play that does improve the offense (arm, mobility) but that the coaching staff is basing their decisions on a lot more- like what they see in the film room and practice.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
Honestly those first down losses really killed momentum.
2012: The year we clip the Hawk.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
I was honestly wanting him benched yesterday.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
I don't understand why he wasn't
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Depth probably played a role there.
With only Harper active otherwise. But honestly, I liked Palmer’s creativity and mixing things up early in the season, moving guys around and splitting RBs out wide…the stubbornness in the run game has to stop. The stretch play has failed all year and yesterday was worse than rock bottom for CJ, bench him or do something to get him going. If it doesn’t happen early, abandon him.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
I guess we could say the same thing about Hass right now
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How so?
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
The arguments just sound parallel
bench him or do something to get him going.
at least Hass has injury as an reason for under-performing… oh and the fact that CJ quit on him/the team.
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As I said above, sometimes it’s not all about the best chance to win right now. It’s about the best chance to win in the future.
If the coaching staff thinks sitting Locker is the right move for the future, that doesn’t mean they suddenly are unable to evaluate talent.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Dec 19, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
You mean sticking with the original plan?!
ohhh noooo’z who woulda thoughtz?!
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When did this become a game-day-thread?
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When Hasselbeck started getting blamed for the offense's failures.
I’m not disputing he was terrible yesterday, but to fault him completely for a terrible line, terrible RB and mediocre WR/TE play (Hands excepted) isn’t fair to him. And given those circumstances, I’m not sure Locker can necessarily be successful either. He’ll be able to improve more than Hasselbeck but it’s still the same mediocre personnel out there.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
*improv, not improve.
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
Hey at least we've got some late-season drama again!
Here I thought we’d go through a season scott-free after what happened last year. Some things never change…
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by ronburgundy7427 on Dec 19, 2011 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
Hell no, this is the Titans we are talking about!
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I don't understand
how you can say it is close. Hasselbeck hasn’t been good since hurting his elbow. Refuses to throw the ball down the field and is limping around out there. How is it close.
This is not about loving a QB controversy. I have been preaching for a long time not to call for Locker, but you have to sit a guy down when he isn’t healthy.
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by Jimmy on Dec 19, 2011 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree 100%, but Locker still had bruised ribs too.
Maybe Munchak didn’t want to risk Locker being injured worse against the Freeney-Mathis combo, because they did talk about how those two put a hurting on mobile QB’s..
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The future is bright for this Titans squad.
by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 19, 2011 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
And before you ask me to cite my sources like last time:
The Titans are worried about how well the Colts’ DEs are playing against young, mobile QBs such as Locker. The idea is that the Colts’ speedy edge rushers tend to make young, mobile QBs pay for leaving the pocket by forcing a sack-fumble. Of course the possible flaw in this logic is that none of those young, mobile QBs were Jake Locker.
From the Daily Links on Dec 16
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The future is bright for this Titans squad.
by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 19, 2011 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
The admirable thing is to let Hasselbeck finish what he started.
Titans remain in the hunt for Playoffs spot.
Glad I'm not Munchak
As a fan, 100% for Locker. Xmas Eve first start has magic written all over it. Locker scrambling left for 12 yards. BAM. Johnson screen right for 37 yards. BAM. Play action pass freezes the defense, Locker lob to Washington for 31 yard TD. BAM. I’m going insane with Xmas lasagna in ma belly.
But Locker has clearly been getting better learning from Matthew. Hasselbeck is a proven game manager. He is a very accurate passer when not under pressure. He joined a new team with no off-season playbook prep and performed astonishingly well all the while there have been significant skill player issues. This year he has earned it. Not sure that will be enough, though. If I were Munch it would be near impossible not to start Matt.
We have nothing to lose...
…and everything to gain by starting Locker. When was the last time a Hasselbeck lead offense scored a TD? It had to have been before the NO game. That’s 2 games w/o a TD, and Locker has scored 3, almost 4 in about 1 full game of action.
It’s a short week though when we play Saturday against Jax. And I’d be ok with Hasselbeck starting if he’s healthy, but not otherwise.
If Hasselbeck is healthy, he has to start.
Locker, while having played well in limited action, needs more time to develop properly. If we were always in win now mode, we’d be like the cowboys of the last 10 years. Always gonna compete, but never really gonna become great. I’m not worried about this year. Much as I’d like to win the superbowl every year, that’s not going to happen. We need to take our time and develop our guys the right way.
"The Rangers system just happens to be stupid with depth." - JParks
"It’s unusual that Sickels is higher on a low-A prospect than those of us who follow the Rangers’ system closely." -rooster on Jan 1, 2011 12:10 PM PST talking about the son of Judeska and Chesmond
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it" - Thomas Paine
I'm just glad
he’s not deciding between Kerry Collins and Vince young.
NO, This is not Houstons year.
^This
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The future is bright for this Titans squad.
by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 20, 2011 12:27 AM CST up reply actions
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