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Footballguy
Friday, 05/11/07
Young still sees room to improve
QB's solid work ethic continues to impress coaches, teammates
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
The Titans had been off the field for just a few hours Thursday, their second minicamp practice of the offseason in the books. Most players were out the door at Baptist Sports Park, some on their way out of town for a long weekend.
As offensive coordinator Norm Chow sat in his office, a phone call from outside the building interrupted the silence. On the other end it was quarterback Vince Young. He wanted to know how Chow, after studying the practice tape, thought he performed.
So much for any thinking that Young might get complacent after a decorated rookie year.
"The good thing about this league is you have to prove yourself every year," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said of Young. "I don't see any big-headedness (in Vince). If anything, he understands his role has to get bigger this year. He's working at it."
Four months after being named the NFL's offensive rookie of the year, Young is preparing for his second season. On Thursday, he was on the practice field with the rest of the veterans.
By all accounts, the Titans have been encouraged with Young's development this offseason, from his attitude, to his attendance, to his work ethic.
But no one, including Young, is close to being satisfied.
"I don't know if you want to sit here and say, 'He has to improve his throw to the left,' or he has to improve this or that," Chow said. "He has to improve his entire game, and what I told him is 'You have to take your entire game to the next level. Everything, from leadership to throws to timing to all that stuff. You just have to take it to another level.'
"So far, I am telling you, he has done an absolutely fabulous job."
More VY
After losing running back Travis Henry and the team's top two receivers in free agency, the supporting cast surrounding Young on Thursday had changed from the end of last season.
As a result, some are expecting Young to do more this fall.
"(But) it is not Vince, it is not all about Vince," Young said. "Everybody thinks Vince Young this and Vince that, but it is a whole another group of guys. We all have to take care of our assignments and responsibilities. We have to come together as a team, with me just being one of the leaders on the team."
Young said he wants to improve this fall on getting the ball out faster and being able to read defenses quicker. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said Young did things Thursday he couldn't have done last year, like making subtle last-second adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
With so many new receivers, Young will need to develop better timing with them, among other things.
"He is so far ahead of where he was last year, and he is improving weekly," Fisher said. "That is kind of what you have to do from Year 1 to Year 2."
In addition to returning receivers such as Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby and Roydell Williams, Young also threw to former Chicago receiver Justin Gage, signed earlier this offseason. The Titans added three more receivers in the draft, and they'll be on the field next week with the veterans.
"I believe in each and every one of these guys," Young said. "I love these guys; they are my brothers, and we are going to fight to the end. There is something special going on right now and I feel it, and we have to keep working to get where we want to be."
The big jump
After the Titans lost in the regular- season finale against the Patriots, Fisher said Young appeared even more motivated, and vowed to do all he could to get the Titans to the playoffs in 2007.
Chow believes Young's Pro Bowl trip, when he was surrounded by veteran quarterbacks such as Cincinnati's Carson Palmer and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, opened his eyes even more to what it takes to be successful.
"I think the first year you play a lot by the seat of your pants," Titans veteran quarterback Kerry Collins said. "I think the game slows down a bit going from Year 1 to Year 2. I have always said it is important to eliminate a lot of the unnecessary thoughts. Going to Year 2 you have a better understanding and you can just go out and play.
"We've all seen what Vince is capable of doing, and I think he'll be that much better."
Young still sees room to improve
QB's solid work ethic continues to impress coaches, teammates
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
The Titans had been off the field for just a few hours Thursday, their second minicamp practice of the offseason in the books. Most players were out the door at Baptist Sports Park, some on their way out of town for a long weekend.
As offensive coordinator Norm Chow sat in his office, a phone call from outside the building interrupted the silence. On the other end it was quarterback Vince Young. He wanted to know how Chow, after studying the practice tape, thought he performed.
So much for any thinking that Young might get complacent after a decorated rookie year.
"The good thing about this league is you have to prove yourself every year," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said of Young. "I don't see any big-headedness (in Vince). If anything, he understands his role has to get bigger this year. He's working at it."
Four months after being named the NFL's offensive rookie of the year, Young is preparing for his second season. On Thursday, he was on the practice field with the rest of the veterans.
By all accounts, the Titans have been encouraged with Young's development this offseason, from his attitude, to his attendance, to his work ethic.
But no one, including Young, is close to being satisfied.
"I don't know if you want to sit here and say, 'He has to improve his throw to the left,' or he has to improve this or that," Chow said. "He has to improve his entire game, and what I told him is 'You have to take your entire game to the next level. Everything, from leadership to throws to timing to all that stuff. You just have to take it to another level.'
"So far, I am telling you, he has done an absolutely fabulous job."
More VY
After losing running back Travis Henry and the team's top two receivers in free agency, the supporting cast surrounding Young on Thursday had changed from the end of last season.
As a result, some are expecting Young to do more this fall.
"(But) it is not Vince, it is not all about Vince," Young said. "Everybody thinks Vince Young this and Vince that, but it is a whole another group of guys. We all have to take care of our assignments and responsibilities. We have to come together as a team, with me just being one of the leaders on the team."
Young said he wants to improve this fall on getting the ball out faster and being able to read defenses quicker. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said Young did things Thursday he couldn't have done last year, like making subtle last-second adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
With so many new receivers, Young will need to develop better timing with them, among other things.
"He is so far ahead of where he was last year, and he is improving weekly," Fisher said. "That is kind of what you have to do from Year 1 to Year 2."
In addition to returning receivers such as Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby and Roydell Williams, Young also threw to former Chicago receiver Justin Gage, signed earlier this offseason. The Titans added three more receivers in the draft, and they'll be on the field next week with the veterans.
"I believe in each and every one of these guys," Young said. "I love these guys; they are my brothers, and we are going to fight to the end. There is something special going on right now and I feel it, and we have to keep working to get where we want to be."
The big jump
After the Titans lost in the regular- season finale against the Patriots, Fisher said Young appeared even more motivated, and vowed to do all he could to get the Titans to the playoffs in 2007.
Chow believes Young's Pro Bowl trip, when he was surrounded by veteran quarterbacks such as Cincinnati's Carson Palmer and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, opened his eyes even more to what it takes to be successful.
"I think the first year you play a lot by the seat of your pants," Titans veteran quarterback Kerry Collins said. "I think the game slows down a bit going from Year 1 to Year 2. I have always said it is important to eliminate a lot of the unnecessary thoughts. Going to Year 2 you have a better understanding and you can just go out and play.
"We've all seen what Vince is capable of doing, and I think he'll be that much better."
[Avon Barksdale]
Vince "gets" this game, his role, and is one of the better people in the game.
