Vince Young Wants to Start, Even if It's Not With Titans

In late February, the Titans re-signed Kerry Collins -- 36 years young -- to a two-year, $15 million deal. Which meant that, barring a miracle, he would resume the role of starting quarterback in 2009. And Vince Young, the team's 2006 first-round pick (and third overall), would remain Collins' backup.

Young wasn't happy playing behind Collins last season, was presumably less thrilled when the old timer re-upped for two more years, and if he's not getting his old job back, he'd like to get that chance elsewhere.

From an interview with WMAR-TV (Via PFT):

"I definitely want to get back out there playing ball and picking up where I left off, winning games and having a good time with my teammates and with the fans," Young said. "At the same time, if them guys don't want me to be in there, it's time for me to make a career change for myself. Because the fact is I'm ready to play ball. If they're not ready for me to play ball, then somebody is." ...

"I'm still focused, staying focused ... I got a lot of people that look up to me. I got a lot of fans that love me and want to see me back out on the football field. So, right now, I'm just taking it a day at a time. I 'm being very competitive, competing for the job and just let Coach Fish make his own decision after that."

Cliches aside, here's what I'm wondering: will Young get the same "Wow, what a gracious, thoughtful dude -- if he doesn't win the starting gig, Tennessee should do the right thing and trade him!" treatment we all heaped on Tony Gonzalez last month when he spilled the beans on why he wanted out of Kansas City. (Spoiler alert: the Chiefs are depressingly awful.)

Yes, Young has had a sometimes-bumpy relationship with fans and media -- and perceptions like this don't help -- but his comments to WMAR-TV are reasonable and fair. That doesn't mean they'll be taken that way, but it's still worth pointing out.

On the upside, VY wouldn't have any trouble finding work in the NFL. I mean, if people who are paid to know such things think Ron Mexico and Brett Favre can still play, Young's got nothing to worry about.

(Please pay no attention to the fact that he lost his job to Collins. That only hurts my argument.)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-02-2009 @ 11:07AM

Jason said...

Vince Young is one of the biggest NFL quarterback busts. The wins he racked up in Tenn. is because of the defense and the running game. To compare Vince Young to Brett Favre has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

6-02-2009 @ 11:48AM

rodsi said...

Earth calling to VY: You had the starting job, YOU lost it! You were not "winning games," you were losing games; so what if people are looking up to you and your "fans" want to see you playing? Hell i would like to see Tony Dorsett still playing that doesn't mean the Cowboys will suit him up! Look, you have to WIN the job through competition, that is how it works in a team sport. unlike high school, you have to actually earn the right to start. Grow up, you were the one who flaked out on your teammates and your mother didn't help. face it, you career as a starting NFL qb may be over, YOU blew it, not Kerry Collins or Jeff Fisher...

6-02-2009 @ 7:29PM

the cooker said...

Amen Dude!

6-02-2009 @ 12:09PM

CJ said...

I think the Titans need to make some assurances to VY that he'll be the starter after Collins and let him know that he could get it this year. Patrick Ramsey is a joke as a back up and i dont see them drafting another any time soon, at least not a big time QB. I still have faith in VY and i think the Titans need to wise up and give the guy another chance.

6-02-2009 @ 12:21PM

www4freecashcom said...

"At the same time, if them guys don't want me to be in there, it's time for me to make a career change for myself."

Sounds like it's all about him. This is why so many people in the league love and root for guys like Todd Collins, James Thrash, and Alex Smith, while they can't stand guys like Vince Young, Keyshawn Johnson, Brett Favre, and Terrell Owens.

6-02-2009 @ 12:49PM

19skinzfan72 said...

I hope Snyderatto isn't reading this!

6-02-2009 @ 3:15PM

horatiowrd said...

Facts about the "bust" that is Vince Young:

1 - HE IS A FORMER ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

2 - HE LEAD, yes LEAD, as in they werent before him but where after him, HIS TEAM TO THE PLAYOFFS

3 - HE HAS A HIGHER, yes HIGHER, COMPLETION PERCENTAGE THAN KERRY COLLINS

4 - HE WAS WINNING WHEN HE GOT HURT AND WAS REPLACED

5 - He remained basically quiet all last year even though he lost his spot due to injury.

I have no idea where the VY hate comes from. People like to compare him to his QB counterparts: Lienhart, beaten by Kurt Warner, Culter, pouted till he got forced out (who for all his greatness has never been in playoffs even then HE was QB as his team slid into oblivion). Whats the big deal? He occasionally parties shirtless?

6-10-2009 @ 9:49PM

rookie of the year is way overrated. name the last four and how are they doing NOW in the NFL. I recall Kerry Collins leading the Titans to one of the best records in the NFL last year. He had higher passer rating because he just surpassed the bare minimum number of throws to even be counted, unlike Collins who threw three times as much. The NFL figures out people fast, he had "success" his rookie year because he hadn't been studied yet. you see what happened after they all had him on tape to study. Vince lost that job well before his injury. He's a bust, just face it and hope that they draft a good qb in a year or two.

6-02-2009 @ 3:21PM

not every QB needs to be a bookworm/film guy. Its nice but its not required. Saying he is less of a player, when facts clearly show that #1 He was the best rookie his rookie year, and #2 He can complete MORE than Kerry Collins while bringing a mobility and improvisation that he cant just because he isnt best buds with his OC? Why?

if Titans want a film guy, go get a film guy, but its not required.

P.S. How smart could the OC be when playing against the most verstile and prepared Defense in the league you dont think to have a single play with your second most dynamic player? Once CJ went down they shouldve had SOMETHING for VY, especially when they were getting bogged down in the the red zone.

6-02-2009 @ 4:33PM

jamesshrty3 said...

WHAT EVERYBODY ON VY; WHAT ABOUT THE RECVERS SEE MAKING ANY BIG CACHTES 1000YRD

6-02-2009 @ 4:34PM

nickstoli said...

I'm sure the Titans would like nothing more than their million dollar investment to PLAY like a starting QB.

6-02-2009 @ 8:46PM

iceicedave said...

Thanks horatiowrd!! I was wondering where all these confused opinions were coming from. Vince Young deserves to be a starter somewhere. Tennessee knows he can start and are trying to hold on to him for another year. Kerry collins is not the long term answer. He is not Warner. He has never had two great back to back seasons. Tennessee will fall off this year.

6-02-2009 @ 9:00PM

robert said...

Heck, ryan leaf was a better quarter back than vince young! Young is one of the biggest bust in nfl history.

6-02-2009 @ 9:01PM

luckyherenthere said...

Young is a good runner, but he's a lousy passer. Last I checked that was sort of important. Here's all you need to know. For his career Vince has thrown 22 TD's and 32 INT's, he has averaged 150 passing yards per game, and his QB rating is 68.8. He won games because of a great defense, not because of him. He should shut up.

6-02-2009 @ 9:04PM

Vince should shut up. 22 TD's, 32INT's, 150 yards a game, 68.8 passer rating. He's a good runner but a lousy passer.

6-04-2009 @ 2:36PM

ZaZapper said...

Isn't this the same "leader" who got all boo-hoo when the fans jumped on him for a bad start? Didn't this guy say he was going to kill himself (or something like that)? And it's been less than a year? We all know he has more skills than Collins. But one thing he is a bit behind, is maturity. Vince, take your time, Collins will screw up sooner or later and you'll be back.

6-04-2009 @ 6:56PM

theloniousjw said...

Vince needs to grow up and take responsabilty fight for his spot and help team to go on to big dance this is team ball

6-06-2009 @ 5:11AM

pwill84 said...

The hate for VY is because he is a black, I mean "athletic" quarterback. Before VY's injury I saw a young developing QB who lead the Titans to the playoffs.