NASHVILLE – Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback for the Titans on Saturday, and he's excited about it.
"It's a tremendous opportunity," Dobbs said on Tuesday. "I think it starts there. I am thankful to be here, as a part of this team. Just the way the guys have welcomed me in and allowed me to come in and be myself. I am excited to lead this weekend. I know it's a big game, obviously. I haven't been here the entire year, but any time you have a chance to go to the playoffs it is a tremendous opportunity, and I am excited for it."
On Monday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel named Dobbs the team's starting quarterback for Saturday's pivotal AFC South showdown against the Jaguars.
The winner of Saturday's game, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville, will win the AFC South.
Dobbs said he was happy to get the news.
Malik Willis will serve the Tennessee's back-up.
"The game and obviously the magnitude of the game, everything around it, it's what you dream of playing in (the) NFL," Dobbs said. "You want to play meaningful football, especially in December and January, right? You want to play in those playoff games. I have watched and been a part of teams that have been a part of it.
"So to play in it, there's a lot of excitement around it but there's also recognition in the preparation, the lead-up to it, and maximizing the reps, my encounters with my teammates and helping them get prepared, helping them see what I am seeing from the quarterback position. So when Saturday comes we just go play football."
In his first NFL start, the former University of Tennessee star completed 20-of-39 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys. Dobbs also threw an interception, and he lost a fumble. He posted a passer rating of 67.5.
Willis has started three games this season, and the Titans are 1-2 in those starts. Willis has completed 31-of-61 passes for 276 yards, with zero touchdowns and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 42.8.
Last week, the Titans placed Ryan Tannehill on Injured Reserve.
Later that same day, Dobbs was the starter against the Cowboys after signing with the team just eight days earlier, and Willis was the No. 2 QB.
Dobbs is now studying, and preparing, the Jaguars.
"When you are playing quarterback in the NFL and you are in a huge game, there's a lot of noise around it," Dobbs said. "But you have to stay focused on the task at hand. Control what you control and take it one day at a time."
