Troy Smith, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart All Can Be Second-Chance Players

Whatever happened to these guys?

I'm talking about Troy Smith, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart. I expected these guys to come out strong in the NFL, but I guess I was wrong. However, if you are fans of these three QBs, they can still improve their shots at becoming superstars like they once were in college.

Troy Smith

After winning the Heisman in 2006, I expected Troy Smith to become an awesome quarterback, just like he was in college. Smith has had many honors during that time:

• 2006: College Football Player of the Year Award
  
• 2006: Archie Griffin Award
• 2006: Heisman Trophy Award
• 2006: Fiesta Bowl MVP
• 2006: Walter Camp Award
• 2006: Davey O'Brien Award
• 2006: AP Player of the Year Award

In 2007, it was surprising to see him get drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Ravens. I really didn't understand why he was with Baltimore, because that is when Steve McNair was playing.

When I was looking through the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Troy Smith wasn't there. I figured he didn't go to the NFL and just stayed in college for one more year, but it turned he didn't.

NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes once said he didn't expect Smith to be drafted so late, thinking he would go in the late first, second, or possibly third round.

But now Smith may get a chance to start for the New York Jets (read Cole Tessler's article), and I think he deserves it. When I saw him in the 44-20 loss to the Colts, I thought Troy was potential starter material. He was pretty good for a first-time player, going 3-of-5 for 33 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Smith looked to be a dazzling starter, but he didn't get the chance that year. Then, in 2008, Joe Flacco took over because Smith was injured in the first game of the season, and even when he healed the coaches liked Flacco more. 

But Smith can start. Yes, he may be short, but look at Michael Vick or even Doug Flutie. Smith would fit in well in New York, San Francisco, or Tampa Bay.

Vince Young

It looks to me that Vince Young won't be starting with the Titans next year, now that Kerry Collins has been re-signed. Young can still be a potential starter, simply because he made the Pro Bowl and had a good game against Detroit, throwing the longest pass of his career.

It's probably the Madden Curse that did him in. When he was on the cover of Madden 2008, I was like, "Oh boy! The Madden curse is coming!" And it happened. The curve already has gotten Brett Favre, and it refuses to die. Who's next?

Anyway, enough video games. We know that Young has a problem with interceptions. But it looks to me he can improve, easily. He probably has learned a bunch from Collins, the 36-year-old veteran.

After the 2007 season, Vince Young has been a total bust. Don't expect him to end up like Ryan Leaf, though. Trust me, he won't. I don't expect him to be a starter with the Titans, but he can be a lover of the Vikings. Imagine the combination of Young, Adrian Peterson, and the speedy Chester Taylor.

Matt Leinart

Now, let's see here. He definitely won't be a starter for the Cardinals anymore. He screwed up in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2007, he was placed on IR due to the vicious hit against the Rams. Then, in 2008, he lost his starting job to Kurt Warner, and we all know how that turned out.

Leinart can still be dominant. I will never expect him to be a bust like Ryan Leaf or future bust like Mark Sanchez. Leinart deserves a full season to show what he can do. He has done so many important things in college that he needs to pass on to the NFL.

He hasn't gotten a shot yet, but he soon will. Detroit, New York Jets and San Fran all could use him. For the Lions, Leinart can be a dominant QB. He will look to bring a new touchdown tandem with Calvin Johnson that could eventually be up to Manning/Harrison levels. It would also mean that the Lions won't waste a draft pick on QB that could be a bust, and could instead get an O-Line blocker.

The Jets could use him also. Sports Illustrated Kids, which I used to read regularly, once said that the Jets would pick Leinart and even showed a preview of him in a uniform. I thought it was going to happen for sure. Now, the Jets will need him after the departure of Brett Favre. He can help out Thomas Jones.

With the 49ers, he would return to California and do his thing. He looks perfect with them. Screw Mark Sanchez, welcome Matt Leinart. Leinart will easily beat out Shaun Hill and Alex Smith for the job. He deserves a chance.

Conclusion

These guys aren't busts. They just haven't had long enough with their particular teams to show what they can do. Look at Brett Favre, who was a bust in Atlanta before being given a chance to shine in Green Bay for a long time. Look at how Byron Leftwich performed with the Jaguars, compared to the success he had in Pittsburgh.

Charlie Batch was a bust with the Lions but not with Pittsburgh. Eli looked to be a bust with the Chargers until the trade happened with Phillip Rivers during the draft, and he now has a Super Bowl ring. How about Drew Brees? He turned out great with the Saints.

A second chance is pretty much all they need. It's just that simple.

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