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David Climer believes that Jake Locker won the starting spot the minute Peyton Manning chose to take his talents to Denver. More interesting to me, however, is Climer's spot-on observation about Munchak's emerging style as a coach:
Credit Munchak for setting a plan and following it. By elevating Locker, Munchak has thumbed his nose at those who consider him Jeff Fisher Light.
Fisher's inclination was to play it safe at quarterback. He did it with Kerry Collins at the start of the 2006 season, and he would have stuck with Collins after a disastrous 0-6 start in '09 if Bud hadn't ordered him to put Vince Young in the game.
Not Munchak. He continues to surprise those who expected an old offensive lineman to play it close to the vest. He's a bit of a gambler. He'll weigh his options and then take chances. They may be calculated risks but they are risks just the same.
Hass may be headed to the bench, but he's still handling the entire situation with a kind of toughness and dignity you don't see very often in the NFL. You don't see many veteran, successful QB's politely step aside while there's an argument to be made that he can still be a productive starter in the NFL. It's a testament to Hass' character, and I'm sure it'll be rewarded in any way possible by Munch and the front office after the season ends.
Best indication that Darius Reynaud is a virtual lock to make the roster: the Titans are working Harper out at the FB position to see how he'd handle the move.
Colin McCarthy has been putting in work on reading offenses and better understanding our coverage concepts, and the early reward has been a bucket load of INTs in camp and during the preseason. I absolutely cannot wait to see McCarthy explode this season; he could easily end up as our defensive MVP.
Meanwhile, the guy who McCarthy overtook last season, Barrett Ruud, was traded from Seattle to New Orleans yesterday.
Paul K takes a look at Pannel Egboh, Derrick Morgan and what it means if Morgan can't win that starting spot over a veteran practice squad player.