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Titans’ Zach Mettenberger to ‘fight to the death’ for starting job

By Matt Verderame

Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans opened up rookie minicamp on Friday afternoon, but it was a second-year player who stole the headlines. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who head coach Ken Whisenhunt has already deemed the backup to second-overall pick Marcus Mariota, is ready to battle for job, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.

"“I don’t [know] what the mindset is, but at the end of the day I can just control what I do and I’m extremely confident in myself, almost to a fault,” Mettenberger, last year’s sixth-round pick and Tennessee’s incumbent starting quarterback, told ESPN’s Adam Caplan in a text. “But people who know me know I’m not going down without a fight to the death.”"

In fact, battle is obviously a light way of putting his feelings. Mettenberger is apparently willing to go into a steel cage and brawl onto he wins over Mariota, who comes into the NFL fresh off a Heisman Trophy. However, this is a fight Mettenberger is not going to win even if he’s the slightly better quarterback in camp.

The NFL is all about winning, but it is also about money and perception. The Titans have already claimed Mariota is going to be the starter, and going back on that word would make him look like a huge disappointment. Tennessee has very little invested in Mettenberger, having been a sixth-round pick last year. The front office doesn’t mind having Mettenberger ride the bench. In conclusion, Mariota gives the fan base something new and exciting, while Mettenerberger reminds them of the miserable 2-14 campaign they just sat though in 2014.

For Mariota’s part, he claims to feel the same way, per Kuharsky.

"“I’m going to have the same mindset,” Mariota said. “Overall, I think together that will make the team better. Competition will drive this team. I’ve gotten to know Zach, Zach’s an awesome guy, he’s helped me out since I’ve been here. I think as this process goes on we’ll be able to push each other and make this team better.”"

Last year, Mettenberger was mediocre in his playing time. In seven games, Mettenberger threw eight touchdowns against seven interceptions with four fumbles. The LSU product also completed 59.8 percent of his throws for 1,412 yards and an 83.4 quarterback rating.

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