The Titans parted ways with Ryan Fitzpatrick in the offseason, signing Charlie Whitehurst, who had been Philip Rivers' backup in San Diego. New Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt coached Whitehurst with the Chargers, so he must know what he's doing.
But it's hard not to think that if the Jake Locker struggles or gets hurt (again) this season, the Titans are toast. Whitehurst has been in the league for eight seasons, six as a backup with the Chargers -- not throwing a regular-season pass in any of those six seasons -- and two with Seattle. The Seahawks traded for him in the 2010 preseason, a move somewhere at the opposite end of the spectrum from their selection of Russell Wilson in the draft.
Whitehurst started two games for the Seahawks in 2010. That season he completed 58 percent of his passes with 2 TDs, 3 interceptions, and 5 sacks. A year later, he also started two games for Seattle, completing 48 percent of his passes for 1 TD, 1 interception, and 8 sacks. He also fumbled 4 times in those 4 contests.
This is insurance against Jake Locker struggling or getting injured this season?
Not to pile on, but Whitehurst's latest ignominy is that he lost a battle to keep his jersey number in Tennessee. By arm-wrestling the punter.
--Andy Richardson