Washington Huskies In The NFL: Jake Locker

Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Season Grade: C+

Locker’s first full season starting was plagued with injuries and mediocrity. He showed signs of stardom, just as he did filling in for Matt Hasselbeck last season, but much of that was overshadowed by 11 interceptions and a 56.4 completion percentage.

Locker missed close to six weeks between September and November due to a fractured left shoulder. Before the injury, he had looked like many expected him to. In addition to rushing for 67 yards, he threw for 781. It looked like he had a break out game when he threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns and led the Titans to an overtime win over the Lions in week three, but the next week he fractured his shoulder.

Ultimately, Locker never returned to the form we saw in his first three weeks, likely due to the shoulder injury nagging him throughout the season. He went on to throw more picks than touchdowns and finished with the fifth-worst passer rating among starting quarterbacks.

An off-season’s rest will do Locker well. Once fully recovered, he’ll face no competition for the starting job next season, assuming Tennessee doesn’t unexpectedly draft another quarterback this April. His style should fit the read option offense that Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III popularized in the NFL this season.