John Glennon

jglennon@tennessean.com

Is Zach Mettenberger the quarterback of the future?

It's a question that will dominate discussions about the Titans for months.

What the coaching staff and front office think of the rookie will have a direct impact on plans for free agency and the draft.

In seven appearances, including six starts, Mettenberger offered arguments for and against making him the main man.

He threw for eight touchdowns, averaged an impressive eight yards per attempt, and posted an 83.4 passer rating — currently the best among this season's rookie starters.

On the other hand, he turned the ball over nine times, was hampered by a lack of mobility and didn't produce a win.

So what's the verdict? Here's what four NFL analysts had to say about Mettenberger's season and his future:

Ron Jaworski, ESPN

What he likes about Mettenberger: "The prism I see the quarterback position played is from the pocket, and Zach certainly showed me that he can play from the pocket. He made every throw you need to make. He certainly showed the toughness that you have to to play in the NFL. He hung in the pocket and delivered the football, without flinching, without breaking down mechanically."

What Mettenberger needs to work on: "His footspeed can quicken up. It will. I think his release speed can quicken up. It will. I've always felt that in the NFL, that first offseason for a young quarterback is absolutely critical. I think the good thing is that Zach has some playing experience under his belt."

Is Mettenberger the QB of the future?: "He absolutely can be the guy, and I believe he will be the guy. He certainly showed me all the attributes to play quarterback long-term in the NFL. I think Zach will be the quarterback for a long time in Tennessee."

Tim Hasselbeck, ESPN

What he likes about Mettenberger: "He's got a ton of courage in the pocket. He'll stand in there and take a hit. I don't think that's something you can coach, and he's got it. Guys appreciate it and rally around it and it's respected in the locker room. And obviously he's a big, tall guy with a big arm that can drive certain throws and it's impressive."

What Mettenberger needs to work on: "It feels like everything has to speed way up. The dropback needs to be faster, the decision needs to be faster, the throwing motion needs to be a little more compact. ... There are times where he's just standing back there. There has to be some type of internal clock in your head … because when you're almost statuesque there, that's when you see things like fumbles in the pocket and sacks. And unfortunately, people are just able to tee off on you a little bit."

Is Mettenberger the QB of the future?: "After six starts, in which he turned the football over in every one of them, I think somebody else is the favored starter going into next season. Whether that's someone that's a high-round draft pick, I'm not sure. ... It wouldn't surprise me at all to see (coach Ken Whisenhunt) be a little more interested in somebody that has had starter experience and gives them some stability at the position, and then maybe developing another guy as well, maybe a fourth-rounder or a second-rounder."

Steve Tasker, CBS

What he likes about Mettenberger: "He's got the physical ability. There's no question the guy is extremely gifted. He has a big arm."

What Mettenberger needs to work on: "Like some guys with big arms, he's not as accurate as you would like to see. He needs to put the ball on the money. You see the elite quarterbacks put the ball right on the money, and he's got to learn to do that. He can. You can learn that with footwork and body placement, some discipline in the pocket, body position and release point and all that."

Is Mettenberger the QB of the future?: "He's got the physical ability … but I wouldn't be surprised if they spend a draft pick on a quarterback. Even if it's a mid- to late-round guy, they're certainly going to bring another guy in. Find another one with the attributes Mettenberger has — the big arm, the size and the other measurables. They'll find one like that and see if they can develop him. Or maybe they'll recycle a guy who had some promise at one point. But I don't think there's any question they'll bring in more quarterbacks this offseason."

Rich Gannon, CBS

What he likes about Mettenberger: "Clearly he benefitted from the time he spent at LSU with (offensive coordinator) Cam Cameron. He's got so much experience and he's such a good coach, so I think that was a positive for Zach. He's got a big-time arm. There's no question about that. He can really rifle the football."

What Mettenberger needs to work on: "He needs to get better with his ball placement and his accuracy. He missed too many throws in the five or six games I saw. ... He's got to learn to better protect himself and not take unnecessary hits. It's about survival mode at that position. You have to be able to play 16 games."

Is Mettenberger the QB of the future?: "I think that Mettenberger is going to be a guy that will at least have his hat in the ring. But my guess is that they've really got to look long and hard at improving that position. I don't know if they can roll the dice based on what they've seen from him in a half-dozen games. I think they've got to be able to create some competition there at that position heading into the offseason. That's got to be the primary goal."

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.