The Sports Xchange

Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger isn’t going to give up the starting job to Marcus Mariota — selected second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft — without a fight.

Mettenberger, in his second year, plans to go down swinging to convince head coach Ken Whisenhunt he deserves the job over the team’s high-profile rookie.

ESPN’s Adam Caplan recently spoke to Mettenberger via text.

“I don’t (know) what the mind-set is, but at the end of the day I can just control what I do and I’m extremely confident in myself, almost to a fault,” Mettenberger told ESPN. “But people who know me know I’m not going down without a fight to the death.”

Mettenberger, drafted in the sixth round out of LSU, made six starts — all losses — a year ago as a rookie on a 2-14 team. He finished the season with 1,412 passing yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.

“Offseason has been good, I lost some weight, am down to 225,” Mettenberger said. “Moving a lot quicker, no longer worried about my knee which is a great feeling. But I loved getting a chance to hang out with guys outside of the facility. It was an eye-opening experience to learn what these guys are about.

“Biggest thing I learned as a rook is the business and politics of this game and it’s not always what you want, especially as a low-round pick no matter how well you think you do. But you keep fighting to earn the respect you think you deserve. Also learn I can play in this game and can compete with the best if I’m given a chance.”

The Titans have been searching for a franchise quarterback for 10 years — ever since they traded Steve McNair to the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.

Mariota becomes the face of the franchise after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2014. The Titans hope he can adapt quickly to being an NFL quarterback after first-round misses on Vince Young in 2006 and Jake Locker in 2011.

Whisenhunt immediately said after the draft that Mariota — out of Oregon where the spread offense is used — moves to the top of the depth chart ahead of Mettenberger.

“You’ve got to push him,” Whisenhunt said of Mariota. “You’ve got to challenge him, but obviously there are some things he does well and we’ll incorporate those into what we’re doing.

“It’s gonna be a little bit of blend, but he’s a talented young man. He has a very good feel for the position and how to process those things, and we’re excited to get a chance to work with him.”