Monday’s combined practice between the Falcons and the Titans served as a homecoming of sorts for rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger, albeit short.
“I had about 15 family members over there, and they’re excited to see me,” Mettenberger said as he pointed to the crowd collected on a hill the Falcons’ Flowery Branch facility. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”
Mettenberger, a sixth-round draft pick by the Titans, grew up about an a hour from Flowery Branch. The Watkinsville native graduated from Oconee County High School before moving 15 minutes down the road to play football for UGA where his mother still works. He later transferred to LSU.
Now, he is competing for a spot on the Titan’s roster, primarily with second-year quarterback Tyler Wilson. Above them on the roster sit Charlie Whitehurst and presumed starter Jake Locker, who combine for 13 years of league experience.
“They’re two of the greatest guys, really ever,” Mettenberger said of Locker and Whitehurst. “To have the opportunity to work with them has been awesome. They both play a lot of football and I’m just trying to learn everything I can from them.”
But rookie life isn’t all about taking notes from your mentors in practice as Mettenberger has come to learn. Veteran Bernard Pollard berated rookie Marqueston Huff quite a bit during Monday’s practice, but Mettenberger assured he bears the majority of the safety’s chides.
“I think I’m his No. 1 victim on giving rookies a hard time,” Mettenberger said. “But it’s all in good fun. You know really, if I can’t perform well in front of him, I’m probably not going to do too well in front of 70,000 people.”
The fans out in Flowery Branch didn’t nearly add up to that, but Mettenberger will take his first snap in front of the home crowd at LP Field on Saturday.
In the meantime: “It’s good to come back home and get a practice in.”
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