Titans choose Locker to be the starting QB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have picked Jake Locker as their starter over veteran Matt Hasselbeck, choosing to wait no further to play the quarterback they drafted in 2011 for their future.

Coach Mike Munchak announced the decision after practice Monday, saying Locker’s time is now in giving the Titans their best chance to win the AFC South.

The Titans had let the quarterbacks compete through the offseason with each starting a game each this preseason.

Munchak says Hasselbeck was way ahead of Locker last season. But Locker caught up and won the job with his ability to move the team and score points.

The eighth pick overall in 2011. He will play 40 to 50 snaps Thursday night against Arizona with three weeks to prep for the opener Sept. 9 against New England.

Tannehill is Dolphins‘ starter

DAVIE, FLA. — With his NFL debut still more than two weeks away, Ryan Tannehill can already boast of an achievement unprecedented among Miami Dolphins quarterbacks: He won a starting job in his first training camp.

New coach Joe Philbin gave Tannehill the job Monday, meaning the Dolphins will have a rookie QB start a season opener for the first time when they play at Houston on Sept. 9.

Not even Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino or Bob Griese started the first game of their rookie season. Tannehill beat out Matt Moore, who started the final 12 games last year.

Training camp began with a three-way competition at quarterback, but veteran David Garrard fell out of contention when he underwent minor knee surgery Aug. 11.

Merriman released by Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It’s lights out for Shawne Merriman in Buffalo after the Bills cut the one-time star pass-rusher Monday.

General manager Buddy Nix said Merriman’s health wasn’t an issue and added he made the move now to provide the former Maryland standout a better chance to sign with another team.

The move does allow the Bills to save a portion of the $4 million salary Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler, was scheduled to make in the final year of his contract.

Colts’ Collie has concussion

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