Titans starting quarterback Vince Young (Photo By: Jonathan Mohan/2009)
With all the talk of "every coaches dream" Chris Johnson's rock star season, along with Bud Adams recent finger pointing expose, there is another underlining story this week that seems to be garnering the media's attention.
Local product and Houston's favorite son, Vince Young is once again returning home to his own field of dreams. From his childhood days at Madison High School, to bringing a BCS Rose Bowl National Championship to the University of Texas, to even stunning the Houston Texans with a 39-yard overtime scamper to seal the victory for the Titans, Vince Young has always been a staple in the Texas limelight.
“ You can't turn on a television in Houston without seeing Vince Young" said Rodrique Wright, Alief Hastings High School, and later Texas defensive tackle. "You might see him more than the Texans.
In 2006 the city of Houston anxiously awaited the start to the NFL draft. Hoping their respective team, the Texans, who had the number one pick, would select Vince Young out of the University of Texas. Just months prior Young had put on one of the most unforgettable individual performances of all time in college football while participating in the Rose Bowl against Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White and the rest of the Trojans from Southern California.
Young racked up 467 yards of total offense (200 rushing, 267 passing) and three rushing touchdowns (including a 9 yard TD run with 19 seconds left) to lead the Longhorns to a thrilling 41-38 almost single-handed victory. This performance led to him winning Rose Bowl MVP honors for the second consecutive season. Young finished his junior season with 3,036 yards passing and 1,050 yards rushing before announcing on live television to Jay Leno that he would fore go his senior season at Texas to enter the NFL draft.
"With the first pick, in the 2006 NFL draft, the Houston Texans select Mario Williams, defensive end out of North Carolina University."
As Houston took Williams, the Saints followed up by selecting USC superstar Reggie Bush with the second overall pick. This move opened up the door for the Tennessee Titans to take Young at number three. As for Williams and Bush, both have blossomed into respected combatants among the NFL's elite.
Young's journey for the most part has been off the beaten path.
After replacing starter Kerry Collins, guiding an 0-5 team to an 8-8 record and receiving Rookie of the Year honors in 2006, his sophomoric slump, although finishing 10-6 and making the playoffs, crept into opening day of the 2009 season.
Facing AFC South rival Jacksonville, having just thrown his second interception of the day, Young was bombarded by boo-birds from the sold-out crowd at L.P. Field. After momentarily refusing to re-enter the game, VY was injured on the very next snap. The next few days consisted of suicidal accusations from his friends and family, along with being benched for the remainder of the season, as he watched his team guided by backup Kerry Collins finish with a league-best 13-3 record.
This season Vince has earned his chance at redemption. After taking over and 0-6 team, Young has now commanded his team to three straight victories, boasting a quarterback rating above 90 in each contest. This marks the first time a Tennessee Titan has achieved this feat since the late Steve McNair did during his MVP season of 2003. In this three game stretch Young has completed 44 of 62 passes for 507 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Beyond the statistics, Vince Young is a changed man behind center. Being sidelined and forced to watch the veteran Kerry Collins, Young has learned what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. From putting in the extra hours dividing your time between the playbook, weight room and watching tape, to just maintaining your confidence level beyond four quarters, Young is finally finding out that this is the toughest position in the National Football League.
Thick skin is more than a requirement for the job, its expected.
Check out my Titans/Texans game preview HERE
- Titans to battle Texans tonight on Monday Night Football
- Titans owner Bud Adams gives the Buffalo Bills the one-fingered victory salute
- Titans rout Bills 41-17 Sunday to win third consecutive game on the year
- Tennessee Titans host UTC alumni Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday
- Tennessee Titans defeat the San Francisco 49ers 34-27 for second win in a row
- San Francisco 49ers host Titans Sunday as Tennessee goes for two (Game Preview)
- Titans opponent Q&A: San Francisco 49ers Examiner Samuel Lam
- Titans Pro-Bowl running back Chris Johnson named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
- Maurice Jones-Who? The Tennessee Titans run away with first win of the season
- Vince Young, Bud Adams and the Tennessee Titans host AFC South rival Jacksonville
- Vince Young replaces Kerry Collins as Tennessee Titans starting QB
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Comments
As for Williams and Bush, both have blossomed into respected combatants among the NFL's elite.
Really?? Among the NFL's elite? Hardly. Both, just like Young, have had trouble living up to the hype.
And I don't think VY announced his turning pro on the Tonight Show.
Mario Williams 34.5 sacks in 3.5 seasons, are you kidding me?
not living up to the hype?
As for Reggie Bush, he was never meant to be a every down back in the NFL, for his name sake, yes he may of never lived up to the hype, but by production, he has more than done his part.
Vince Young says he hasn't decided whether to skip his senior year and turn pro, a looming question after his last-minute heroics led Texas over USC for the national championship. "I've got to sit down with my family ... pray with my pastor and see what the NFL guys think about me," Young said on the "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
that's about as clear cut as you can get after you pull off the kinda season he had that year at Texas.
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