the hairy scotsman
Footballguy
signonsandiego.com
June 11, 2006
Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher was simultaneously vague and specific earlier in the week when asked about rookie first-round draft choice Vince Young.
Fisher made it clear that Young will see the field this season, but he refused to provide details as to when or where that will happen.
Some Titans players and coaches recently said Young is more likely to begin playing sooner than later. They said the former University of Texas star, who was the first quarterback and the third player taken in April's draft, has impressed them with how quickly he has grasped the offense and its terminology, and with how he was unwilling to concede the starting job even when Steve McNair still was on the roster.
One Titans coach privately said Young is driven to prove wrong critics who questioned his football intellect and game. The coach said Young has been spending extra hours in his playbook, preparing each day as if he'll get the call on opening day. There is a purpose to his stride, a seriousness in his tone.
Understandly, the Titans don't want to rush Young for fear of breaking his confidence or his spirit should he struggle early. But those close to Young contend that won't happen. He is not Ryan Leaf, a guy who's going to quit at the first sign of adversity. Study his background and you'll soon find someone who feeds off challenges, be it life or athletics.
The initial feeling was that the Titans would use the same blueprint for Young that they used for McNair, the contention being their games and athletic backgrounds are almost interchangeable. Not so. McNair was reared on the small-college level at Alcorn State, where he was primarily a pocket passer. Young grew up on the highest collegiate level possible, as a multidimensional threat who could beat you with his legs or his right arm – even with his unorthodox release.
Unless Young appears to be in a permanent free-fall, the Titans should do with him as the Colts did with Peyton Manning, as the Cowboys did with Troy Aikman: Let him play early and often. Manning took every snap for the Colts his first year and set a league record for interceptions thrown by a rookie; now he's generally considered the game's pre-eminent quarterback. Aikman lost all 11 of his starts as a rookie and threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns; later this summer he'll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Whether Young will reach such heights is unknown, but hopefully the Titans won't wait long before allowing him to take flight.