a recent article evaluating VYs draft prospects, acknowledging his quirky throwing motion, but which nonetheless remains ultimately positive...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3599786.html
VINCE YOUNG: DRAFT PROSPECT
He's got them talking
Can a QB who doesn't have a classic throwing motion and is used to the shotgun make it in the NFL? Yes, say the experts
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
The Vince Young-Reggie Bush debate officially heated up Thursday when the NFL announced the list of the 48 underclassmen who have entered the April draft.
The Texans have the top pick. They don't need a quarterback or running back, but Young and Bush are such special prospects that the Texans probably will draft one of them.
Once Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is named the Texans' head coach and the evaluation process intensifies, the Young-Bush debate will become full-blown for the fans and media.
Young, who played at Madison High School and led the University of Texas to the national title this year, has been campaigning like a politician to become a Texan. The Texans are listening, but they've got three months before they have to make a decision.
"He's a great athlete who's been very productive," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said of Young. "He's a tremendous runner. The thing he's got going is that leadership and competitiveness."
While most league personnel contacted by the Chronicle believe Young will be a star in the NFL, some scouts point out that he primarily played in the shotgun formation with the Longhorns and grew accustomed to not taking snaps under center. Others note that he does not have a classic throwing motion.
Regarding the first point, it should be noted that NFL quarterbacks such as Steve McNair, Byron Leftwich and Drew Brees played in a shotgun formation in college.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem for him," Casserly said. "There are some good quarterbacks in our league who worked out of a spread offense in college.
"As the season went on, you could see that he became more comfortable with their offense. You could see him playing with more and more confidence."
As the evaluation process continues, the Texans will spend a lot of time with Young.
"I haven't spoken with him yet, but I will," Casserly said.
Titans a possibility
If the Texans pass up Young, he could end up with the Tennessee Titans, who have the third pick behind the New Orleans Saints.
"One of the things that impressed me so much was the way he took that team on his shoulders and carried them to wins in some big games against teams like Ohio State and Southern Cal," Titans director of player personnel Rich Snead said. "When the games were on the line, he made big plays. And the bigger the game, the better he played."
Young and McNair have been friends since McNair played for the Oilers. Last year, the Titans quarterback worked with Young on his passing.
"He's got an awkward motion, but I wouldn't change it," Snead said. "Young shortened his release. He used to throw like Randall Cunningham. He still doesn't have a perfect release like John Elway or Dan Marino, but not many do.
"Another thing that really stands out is his movement skills. A guy with his size who can move like that doesn't need to be as accurate. He can move to buy time until a receiver breaks free."
C.O. Brocato, the Titans' national coordinator of college scouting, has been evaluating players in Texas for almost 35 years.
Instincts lauded
"Young's got sound football intelligence and great instincts," Brocato said. "He's a great kid, too, a real team guy who's respected by his coaches and teammates."
Young improved dramatically as a passer from his sophomore to junior seasons.
"He's a great athlete with a tremendous upside, but he needs to work on his passing game," Brocato said. "He's worked real hard to improve as a passer. They did a good job of coaching him. They gave him good game plans.
"You could see that improvement over the course of the season. His touch on short passes got better. He became more accurate on his deep balls, although he threw some up for grabs, and those tall receivers went up to get them. He still forced some balls, but all quarterbacks do.
"His pocket presence has improved, too, and a lot of that's instinctive. This season, he saw the whole field a lot better. And he's learned to look at second and third receivers more."
Running gets riskier
Young won't be able to rely on his running ability in the NFL as much as he did in the Big 12.
"He's a super runner, but I worry about his straight-up style," Brocato said. "He's going to be running against NFL players who'll try to knock his head off.
"He's got great feet. He can make you miss. Even though he's almost 6-5, he's got quick feet. A defensive player can be bearing down on him, and with a flick of one foot, Vince will shake him. He changes direction so quick."
Green Bay Packers scout Alonzo Highsmith, who played at the University of Miami and was the Oilers' top pick (third overall) in the 1987 draft, has watched Young develop since high school.
"I sat next to Vince at a football banquet, and I was impressed with him back then," Highsmith said. "I liked the way he carried himself and the way he treated people."
A league of their own
Highsmith puts Young and Bush on a different plane than other prospects.
"Like Reggie, Vince is a unique talent," Highsmith said. "People talk about his mechanics, but hey, Arnold Palmer didn't have a perfect swing, did he? If you're 10-of-10 sitting on your butt, what does it matter? We see guys every Sunday with good mechanics who can't win.
"The ball gets to where it's going in a hurry, and he's very accurate. And he's the most accurate when the team needs him the most."
Ask any scout about Young, and the first thing mentioned is what a leader he is.
"Since I've been involved in college football, I've never seen anyone with his leadership ability," Highsmith said. "It's a natural thing, but there's no reason he can't continue to be this type of leader in the NFL. It's just going to take some time."
imo, one of the hardest things for a young QB to learn is how to throw the ball with touch... VY seems to a natural... you can see it in the way he runs, his poise in the pocket, his field awareness... he plays UNDER CONTROL.
He is a BLACK running qb that had a rocket/accurate arm in college. And was highly drafted (and overrated). But in the NFL he isn't a threat to pass because he has happy feet and would rather run instead of making a play in the pocket. The Falcons will never get any better until he learns to make plays with his arm and not just his feet. I suspect Young is the same. Has lots of potential...good arm, good accuracy, fast, play-maker...but is he patient enough to wait for the play to develop and make some plays throwing downfield to keep the defense honest. Until players like Vick and Young prove capable of making big plays hanging tight in the pocket and throwing the ball downfield to the WR with a step on the DB, defenses will just continue to stack the box and dare them to pass.
I used to be disgusted
