NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Multiple outlets, including this one, say Zach Mettenberger is done for the season with a reinjured throwing shoulder.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday there remains a chance for the rookie quarterback to resurface, though he’s doubtful this week.
Sandwiched around the coach saying and reiterating there is a chance, however, Whisenhunt didn’t dodge questions about evaluating Mettenberger and the need to turn to Jake Locker beginning Sunday against the Jets at LP Field.
Whisenhunt said it would have been nice to have seen Mettenberger play with a fourth-quarter lead or late in a tie game, something he’s spoken of before.
“On the flip side I think there is value in him being in probably as tough a situation as you can be in and how he handled that,” the coach said. “In games where we were trailing, in games that didn’t go well, he did a nice job in a number of areas. Sometimes I think you get stronger when you go through some of those tough times and he had enough of those this year.”
“Are you going to know about Zach for sure until he gets in one of those situations? Probably not. But he has done a number of good things.”
Whisenhunt reiterated he likes tall guys who can throw, said mentally Mettenberger did good work handling tough defenses on the road, had developed a good feel for where his issues are with protection.
Understanding what defenses are trying to do to him and gaining a better feel for situational football, when to take chances -- when to live to fight another down -- are two areas where Mettenberger can make gains.
The team’s full evaluation of Mettenberger, as with every player, will come after the season is over. Among the areas Whisenhunt and his staff will look at and discuss with GM Ruston Webster are checks, protection, communication, footwork and decision-making.
“At that position in the league I don’t think there are ever any certainties, as you can tell by the number of top draft choices that haven’t made it,” Whisenhunt said. “If we go (the Mettenberger route), if that is our decision, I don’t think we’ll have any question that we feel like he would be the guy.”
We’re not going to see Mettenberger again this year. Too many good reporters have people telling them that. Whisenhunt said it’s important that his QB “stays in it and tried to get back,” so that offers a window into why the Titans are pushing the idea he can return.
Whisenhunt did more to take his share of the blame for that a day after Mettenberger walked tilted, off the field and to the locker room in the fourth quarter.
“I’m not happy we aggravated the injury yesterday,” he said. “I should have done a better job of not letting that happen.”
