This makes more sense, somehow, especially in light of the Mort comments...
Young impresses Titans, with still much to learn
By TERESA M. WALKER, AP Sports Writer
August 6, 2006
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Vince Young's early flashes of brilliance? Well, he's had plenty so far.
A 65-yard touchdown pass thrown off his back foot, the long completion after darting around inside the pocket. Sprinting past defenders and even knocking down a 312-pound defensive tackle with his shoulder.
There's also interceptions, passes batted down at the line and mishandled snaps under center -- all of Young's growing pains and the reason the Tennessee Titans are giving the former Texas quarterback, the first taken in the draft, as much work as possible to speed his development as the eventual successor to Steve McNair.
"We've seen steady improvement on a daily basis from the day he walked through the door," coach Jeff Fisher said.
"His presence, his instinctive leadership qualities, his desire, his competitiveness, those things are going to take him a long ways. He has the tools. What he now needs is the time and experience."
That is why the Titans elevated the third pick overall to backup quarterback the instant McNair was traded June 7. Young has taken at least 30 percent of the snaps through the first nine days of training camp, and he's worked occasionally with the first-team offense.
When he makes a mistake, he immediately wants to fix it. He isn't afraid to talk to a teammate or pat someone on the back and takes the blame when at fault himself. After one mishandled snap, he kicked the ball back over the Titans watching the drill.
Young also responded when encouraged by offensive coordinator Norm Chow not to hide his personality by deferring to starter Billy Volek.
"He wanted to see me out there slapping hands and being excited and being goofy like I've always been," Young said. "It's not that I'm not focused. That's just me to get everybody going and practice real hard, so we can get through the day."
His athletic ability has fans cheering and teammates talking.
"You've got to stay on your man because he can throw on the run," cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said. "That's what I admire about him, how he throws the ball on the run."
The first few days were rough coming out of college to a new system.
"I thought he was incredible for a rookie," defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said. "With all the pressure and all the expectations, I think he lived up to it. He could do a little better, but he's a natural leader on the field. I think he's going to be really, really good for this franchise."
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback and top draft pick Vince Young throws during the first day of a rookie minicamp in this May 5, 2006 photo in Nashville, Tenn. Young agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, a day before the team is scheduled to open training camp.
And those mistakes?
The Titans are using a play-clock to help Young get in and out of the huddle quicker, and he had only one delay of game in such drills. The batted-down passes? Fisher said those aren't a reflection of Young's quick release but of linemen contending with the three-step drop.
With most of the offense installed, Young has been working to absorb everything.
Chow said Young has an understanding of the offense but sometimes confuses terminology with what he used at Texas, where he led the Longhorns to the national championship.
"You can't blame him. It's a lot longer, a lot more verbal telling everybody what to do. Once he gets that, I think he understands what we're trying to get done conceptually, and that's the most important thing," Chow said.
But the question of when Young will start remains.
This franchise started McNair twice in his rookie season but didn't give him the full-time job until his third season. Young joins a team that has been rebuilding the past two seasons, and Fisher isn't sure when this quarterback will realize his potential.
"He has no intention of sitting and watching very long, which is good," Fisher said.
"One of the difficult things we're going to be dealing with is the temptation to play him sooner. He's going to play soon. Billy's our starter, but Vince is going to play early. When I say that, it doesn't mean we're going to hand him the keys, but he is going to get very valuable experience."
The clock is ticking.
As a Vince Young owner in a dynasty I'm :X 
Another Jaguars fan? 
at anyone saying Cunningham never made it. The guy was a stud, and is being discussed as possible HOF. Shouldn't make it, but that the talk is there, with some backing, is enough.
