NFL notes: Titans’ QB battle underway for Locker, Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker figure to have a little more than three weeks to stake a claim to the Tennessee Titans starting quarterback job.

Titans coach Mike Munchak threw the position open for competition during the offseason. Hasselbeck had a solid year as a free agent addition in 2011 and has been mentoring Locker, the former first-round pick.

The quarterbacks alternated reps during the first practice Saturday, a pattern that is likely to continue until a decision is made. Munchak says he wants that decision made by the third game of the preseason, Aug. 23 against Arizona, for the good of team chemistry and preparation for the regular season.

The choice won’t be an easy one, given that Hasselbeck, who turns 37 in September, turned in his best season since 2007 after he signed with the Titans as a free agent following last year’s lockout.

In his 13th NFL season, Hasselbeck completed 319 of 518 passes for 3,571 yards with 18 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.

Rams extend Long

The St. Louis Rams and defensive end Chris Long agreed on a four-year contract extension through the 2016 season before the first practice of training camp.

The 27-year-old Long was seventh in the NFL with 13 sacks last year, topping his previous best of 8 1/2 sacks, and had a three-sack game against the Saints. He had been entering the final year of a six-year, $56.5 million contract he signed after the Rams drafted him No. 2 overall in 2008 out of Virginia.

Around the league

Miami coach Joe Philbin has confirmed former Pro Bowl wide receiver Braylon Edwards had a workout with the Dolphins sometime last week. … The Oakland Raiders have signed wide receiver Juron Criner to make sure all their rookies are in camp before the first training camp practice. The team starts practice under new coach Dennis Allen today. … New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis sat out most of training camp practice with tightness in his right hamstring. Revis calls the injury “minor”. … Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson left practice with a pulled groin muscle, but coach Gary Kubiak says the injury doesn’t appear significant. … Buffalo Bills receiver David Nelson was relieved to learn he will miss only a few days of practice after being diagnosed with a strained tendon in his right leg. Buffalo coach Chan Gailey expects Nelson to miss between four and five days.