Locker will start if he’s best QB

NFL: New offensive coordinator Chris Palmer tells Tennessee Titans’ fans that if former University of Washington star Jake Locker turns out to be the best quarterback on the roster, the rookie will start.

Palmer noted coach Mike Munchak and general manager Mike Reinfeldt have declared the starting quarterback job an open competition.

Palmer also recalled being with New England when the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe out of Washington State University and brought in a veteran to hold the starting quarterback job until they thought Bledsoe was ready.

“Ten days into camp, it was very clear to players, the coaches, the fans that Bledsoe was our best quarterback,” Palmer said. “…As this lockout continues, we may have to pare down some of the things we do, but I don’t think it’ll affect our play on the field. And when they’re ready to play, they’re ready to play.”

When the lockout ends and free agency begins, the Titans may look for a veteran quarterback to work with Locker and Rusty Smith, a sixth-round draft pick last year. Kerry Collins has been with Tennessee the past five seasons and believes he can play a couple more years.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck also will be a free agent, and Reinfeldt knows him well from his years working in Seattle.

Associated Press

Player helpless to help wife

Baseball: A man attacked the wife of Pirates catcher Chris Snyder in a traffic dispute while Snyder sat in the car, unable to get out because he’d had back surgery, Pittsburgh police said.

Carla Snyder and the scooter-riding man, Subhash Arjanbhi Modhwadia, nearly collided Wednesday. The 44-year-old Modhwadia followed her to a gas station, kicked the vehicle and swung at Carla Snyder, police said. He also ripped a mirror off the car.

A passer-by and an off-duty police officer subdued him. Modhwadia bit the bystander and threw punches with keys between his fingers, police said. Snyders’ two children also were in the car.

Modhwadia is being held on $25,000 bail.

The Pirates said the team is “grateful for those bystanders who stepped up to assist Chris to ensure no physical harm was done to his wife and children.”

Associated Press