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          NFL Nation

          Why the Titans shouldn't consider trading Zach Mettenberger

          ATLANTA -- As Zach Mettenberger played very well as the Titans' second-team quarterback against the Falcons on Friday night, the praise began to roll.

          NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson said, "He is a starter, and I think the Tennessee Titans have an issue on their hands. A good issue."

          Mettenberger assessed his play in Atlanta as “really good,” though he wanted a deep interception and two incompletions back on a night when he hit on 8 of 11 passes for 129 yards, a TD and the pick.

          “Oh, we’ll see,” Mettenberger said when told about the buzz Friday night. “I mean, I like it in Nashville. We’ll see what happens. But I’m just worried about practice on Sunday right now.”

          Hey, I agree with Jaworski, Riddick and and Robinson. I think Mettenberger can be an NFL starter.

          I don’t think the Titans can get anything in a trade for him right now that would be more valuable than it would be to have him on their roster as a backup and insurance policy behind Marcus Mariota.

          Mettenberger has a big arm, good presence and good promise.

          But the Titans have been looking for a franchise quarterback for some time. Just because they believe they have one in Mariota doesn’t mean they should run to deal another guy they also like a lot.

          He was a sixth-round pick a year ago, and on a terrible 2-14 team he was 0-6. What sort of offer could he bring? Is some sort of conditional draft pick worth the peace of mind about a worst-case scenario where Mariota gets hurt?

          I don’t think so at all.

          Not a lot of teams have a good enough starting quarterback. I could see why the Bills or the Jets would be intrigued.

          Not a lot of teams have two good, young options, either.

          Mettenberger is a big commodity.

          He’ll get more valuable in time, not less.

          Bet on him staying put.