RSS
Home
Is it time to give up on Vince Young as an NFL quarterback?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
What is next for Vince Young?
Vince Young is a Houston legend.
Perhaps the greatest high school athlete to play at the city, his accomplishments at Madison will remain a part Houston lore for decades.
Young's legacy grew to legendary status when he led the Texas Longhorns to their first national championship in 30 years with the magical win over USC in the mythical BCS National Championship.
Young became such a hero to Longhorn fans, they all but rioted when the Texans correctly passed on Young to draft defensive end Mario Williams in the 2006 NFL Draft.
Young made that look bad when he led the Titans to eight wins as a rookie, making the Pro Bowl and being named offensive rookie of the year.
But there were concerns. He didn't take criticism well. He said he had "issues with his family" and that thought about retiring because football "wasn't fun anymore."
He hasn't been the same since.
In 2007, he threw for just 9 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The Titans made the playoffs, but more because of a terrific defense than Young.
He was injured in 2008, lost his starting job to Kerry Collins, and had a weird meltdown where he went missing for several hours and family members were concerned about him.
The Titans won 13 games without Young and made it to the playoffs, losing to a tough Ravens team. Head coach Jeff Fisher said Collins would be the starter in 2009.
Young has had a weird offseason. He was spotted making it rain at a concert, then he went on a Baltimore radio station and said he would ask to be traded if he did not win his starting job back with the Titans.
Perhaps the key quote from Young: "I got a lot of people that look up to me. I got a lot of fans that love me and want to see me back out on the football field."
And therein lies the problem with Young. He still doesn't realize what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.
Everything has always come easy for Young. In high school, he was the LeBron James of football; his games drew thousands of fans from all over in a state that worhips its high school football.
At Texas, Young struggled until head coach Mack Brown and offensive coordinator Greg Davis realized they had to let Vince be Vince; that he was at his best just playing football and not forcing him into a set offense.
While that decision was the right one for UT -- it won them a national championship, it didn't help with Young's NFL development.
When Young went third overall in the NFL draft, then had immediate success -- including a memorable OT win over the Texans at Reliant -- it looked like he was going to be a superstar at the NFL level, too.
And why not?
Young has been a rock star since high school. The game was always easy for him, and he never had to face any real adversity.
But in the NFL is a different animal. Defenses make adjustments; they take away your strengths. It is a cerebral game that requires intelligence, adjustments and creative thinking. Problem-solving skills are critical, especially at quarterback.
Young never had to deal with any of that. He won games on pure athletic ability. He never had to learn the game.
It carried him at every level until now.
Many pundits have written Young off as a first-round bust who will never be a great quarterback. His days in Tennessee are likely numbered.
But it says here Young can still be great.
Young is immature. He has never been forced to grow up. He has been told how great he is for so long, it's hard not to believe it. It's always easier to listen to people who tell you how great you are than it is to accept the criticism of those who are trying to make you better.
Young will eventually figure it out. When he does -- when he truly dedicates himself to being great -- he will become a difference-making quarterback. He needs to fix his throwing motion. He needs to learn to read defenses. He has to dedicate himself to actually understanding the art of playing quarterback.
The great ones have the basics down; when adversity hits, they fall back on their instincts.
Young has the instincts. He has the natural ability. He has the skills.
He just needs to learn how to play. If he ever does, he will be a superstar on the NFL level, too.
Just like high school. Just like college.
Where and if it happens is anyone's guess.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nate Griffin recaps the Owls' big win over Kansas State.
He also reports that Chase Clement signs with the CFL.
Alan Burge looks at the players trying to replace Dunta Robinson in the secondary.
Stephen Goff has a nice piece on a moment of silence for Lou Gehrig.
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
