There’s only one reason why there would be a quarterback controversy in Tennessee: money. No other reason. Vince Young, the embattled QB who just three weeks ago was being sought after by local Tennessee police after he discussed suicide with his psychiatrist, is back with the team and practicing… as a back-up.
After the incident, with Young out nursing an injured MCL, Titans’ head coach Jeff Fisher said that Kerry Collins would remain the starting QB as long as the team was winning. He said he wanted Young to take time and sit behind the veteran QB, and learn what it takes to be a professional in this league. If you read between the lines, what he really said was that he was fed up that Young apparently quit on the team before the injury occurred, not wanting to go back into the game after throwing a pick and hearing boos from the crowd, and if he was going to lead this team again, he had better grow up fast.
Oh by the way, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. In Tennessee’s 17-6 Wild Card Playoff loss to San Diego last season, Young apparently pulled the same act at halftime before being talked into re-entering the game by his coach. This has to be a disconcerting reality for the Titans’ organization. A young man they’ve invested millions of dollars in, who’s supposed to be the savior of the franchise, is self destructing before their very eyes because he can’t handle the pressure that comes with being the MAN. And with the way the NFL salary cap is set up, if your top pick doesn’t pan out, it literally kills your team because it takes key money away from others more deserving who end up leaving for a larger payday.
Fisher understands that this is the only way to go. Young’s psyche is too fragile to re-enter right now. The team is 4-0, games are meaningful, and if he hits another bump in the road, which he’s sure to do because he’s just not a good passer at the pro level (nor was he in college), it might be over for him before it starts, and the team needs to protect against that at all costs.
As a passing QB, he’s a liability. In 2006, when the Titans had no expectations, he entered around the 4th week of the season and his infusion into the lineup had a positive effect on the team. They finished 8-8, he led a few game winning drives, and his passing stats weren’t so bad for a rookie: 12 TDs and 13 INTs. He also added over 500 yards on the ground with 7 scores. In 2007, with a great deal of expectation thrust on his shoulders, he regressed badly, throwing only 9 TDs to his 17 INTs. His rushing stats were also down. In his life, he had never had to face real adversity; he was able to succeed on pure talent alone, but that only gets you so far. In the NFL, everyone has talent. Teams had a year to prepare for him and take away his strengths, and unfortunately for the Titans and Young, he was unable to overcome his weaknesses.
So now comes the interesting question: when does Fisher re-insert his QB into the lineup? Even with the large amount of money he’s making, I don’t think it’ll be this season. The Titans have a legitimate shot at not only making the playoffs as a high seed, but advancing deep into it, and Fisher’s top priority is seeing his team go as far as it can. Young also has to win back the trust of his teammates. Rumors have circulated that team’ vets were none too pleased about their young QB quitting on them, so by spending a year as a back-up, he’ll have a chance to show his re-dedication to his team and his work ethic, to raising his game, and then in 2009, for reasons other than monetary, he’ll have a chance to lead this team once again and show whether he’ll develop into the player the Titans thought they were taking when they selected 3rd in the 2006 Draft.
Waruna
October 2nd, 2008 at 18:28
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WOW! I disagree