Vince Young's third season in the NFL is about to start. The former star of the University of Texas led the Titans to the playoffs last season. Nevertheless, his play did not meet expectations.
In his rookie season, he was named the Rookie of the Year. He took the starting job in the fourth week and finished the year with an 8-5 record.
In 2008, he has to show another level. If he fails, doubts on him will appear, and he will be considered another draft bust.
Honestly, his play should step up. He is an outstanding player, and he should be able to improve his play.
However, his previous season was very poor. He didn’t produce much and struggled in many times of the season.
He threw 17 interceptions against only nine touchdowns. Yes, nine touchdowns in 16 games. Ridiculous. He had 10 games without a single TD-pass, including a postseason defeat at San Diego.
Not only was Young's arm ineffective, but he wasn't a threat on the ground either, averaging 4.2-yards per carry. He also had 10 fumbles, losing three.
With these stats, he has received less criticism than he deserves. His showdown at the 2006 Rose Bowl is still remembered. That game, added with his winning character, has planted a positive impression of him on the critics, despite what his stats say.
But time is against Young. The Rose Bowl starts to get further and further in the past, and with these performances, his team will not be in the playoff hunt another year.
Let Him Run
For these reasons, I consider Vince Young a big bust. Right now, he is a media product. An athlete than appears on a video-game cover and in thousands of ads.
Nevertheless, Young has the potential, and skills, to dominate the game of football. He has to be allowed to use them. Coach Jeff Fisher has to give him total freedom. He can’t misuse him as a pocket passer.
Vince Young will struggle if he is not allowed to run.
It's quite simple; his legs are a difference maker. He is not outstanding at reading defenses or selecting the best choice, but he is one of best scrambling quarterbacks in the game.
If he is able to run, he will be special; his team will be more dynamic and will win a solid amount of football games. But if Fisher tries to change his way of playing, he will remain an underperforming quarterback, and he will be remembered as a big-time bust.
Just another big-time bust...
8 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
William Berry 11 months ago
Needs editing in first paragraph.
Great article. Nice way you worked hi 17 interceptions and 10 fumbles into it.
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William Berry 11 months ago
What? It was about Vince Young and is now about All Star game. What happened?
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Inaki Angulo 11 months ago
Where is my artice on Vince Young¡?
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Keith Quaranto 11 months ago
Vince Young has no help at WR. He is throwing to Justin Gage who was a 4th WR with the Bears and Brandon Jones a 3rd rounder. Bo Scaife the TE who he also played with at college took the brunt of the receiving last year. Vince needs a big play receiver or just a possession receiver. He did not rush as much because Norm Chow (Offensive Coordinator at the time) tried to make Vince Young a pocket passer with a throw first mentality. Now Mike Himedinger is back who coached Steve McNair and understands that you can let him run he will improve this season because once again he has help in the running game with Lendale White there first round pick and Vince Young. However the Totans passed up on Limas Sweed and untill they get a possession receiver he won't improve that much in the passing department.
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Michael Bergman 11 months ago
AMEN BROTHER!!!!
I'm still fuming about the last 2 drafts. How do you pass on Limas, it was a perfect match.
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Michael Bergman 11 months ago
How about you compare Vince's W/L to the other qbs of that draft. How about playoff appearances. ProBowls?
Granted I am frustrated with his soph slump, but he's still a great leader and difference maker. His situation in Tenn. is bad for the reasons Keith listed.
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Inaki Angulo 11 months ago
Hi Michael,
I'm sure that he is a great leader, but he still has to prove that he is a difference maker in the pros.
In my opinion he will never be a top QB from the pocket, but I agree with Keith. If he plays in a system with freedom to run, he will be great.
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Tim maek 5 months ago
he will not be a draft bust he just has to learn what to do and when to do it when kerry colins leaves he will take what he learned from him and be a very good starting qb
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