Vince Now Young in Name Only

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Did someone know what they were doing with Vince Young in Tennessee?

Apparently so. There's no doubt that Young is a different quarterback as a starter in 2009 than he was in 2007 and during that infamous opening week game of '08, when the former Titans' No. 1 draft pick sustained a career and emotional breakdown and was benched for Kerry Collins.

NFL players grow and mature as athletes, leaders and men differently. A rare few come out of the draft as impact players. Of those, fewer still are quarterbacks, the most visible and important member of an NFL franchise.

So while Titans coach Jeff Fisher enjoys some breathing room now that his once maligned and winless team is revitalized following a two-game winning streak, perhaps it's time to give the NFL's longest-tenured head coach some credit: making Young a sideline protégé in 2008 and half of '09 has turned this fourth-year quarterback into a new player.

A very impressive player.

"This experience has been good for him," Fisher said Monday after the Titans defeated the 49ers 34-27 in San Francisco, Tennessee's second consecutive victory which has coincided with Young's second game this season as a starter. "He's approaching things professionally. He's focused. He's not distracted and he's excited about each and every play. He wants to do more, which is where he should be."

The former University of Texas star and marquee player of the 2006 Rose Bowl victory that gave the Longhorns a national title, Young was praised and prized for his great feet and athleticism. It was truth, hype and stereotype, all at once. As a rookie, Young wore and marketed a T-shirt that proclaimed "I Am A Quarterback," to remind everyone that he was more than a playmaking running back who could throw.

As the NFL performances failed to match the expectations, Collins replaced an increasingly volatile Young last season, and went on to lead the Titans to a 13-3 regular season record. Rather than rebel, Young watched a seasoned pro at work -- Collins, who excelled as a true team leader -- and he learned from it.

"I'm just trying to continue to get better and better and play with my teammates, continue to earn their confidence back as well as the coaches' confidence," said Young, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 172 yards -- including two impressive throws to Justin Gage for 49 and 33 yards -- against the 49ers and did not throw an interception for the second game in a row. "It's not all about Vince. It's all about all of us. We're doing a great job, period.

"I would say I'm being more patient. I'm taking what the defense gives me. I'm not going to force it if it's not there; I'll check the ball down, or use my God-given talent by running the ball."

This is not just a sound bite or politically correct talk. Veterans such as center Kevin Mawae can see a real difference in Young and he's impressed by the transformation.

That benching, Mawae said, could have been a negative or a positive experience for Young. Thankfully, Young remained engaged, focused and eager for redemption during his time as a No. 2.

"It could shatter the confidence of a young quarterback. I've seen it happen myself. But Vince handled it," Mawae said. "He had some troubled times last year dealing with some things and he overcame it. It's a matter of patience and that's what this league's all about. If it's not your time now, it's going to be sooner or later. You have to be ready when it's your time to step up and he's done that."

Chiefs Wavered on Larry Johnson

Despite the public protests and the obvious disconnect between troubled, disgruntled running back Larry Johnson and the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, that organization did not make the decision to cut the one-time NFL rushing leader lightly.

Releasing him had nothing to do with performance (or lack thereof); it had nothing to do with money, and the fact the Chiefs would still be on the hook for the remainder of Johnson's $4.55 million guaranteed base salary, which came out to $2.275 million.


The dilemma, according to numerous Chiefs' insiders: If Johnson was released after questioning coach Todd Haley's qualifications and making gay slurs, would the franchise be sending the wrong message to Johnson and other trouble-making players by granting them their wish -- a release and the freedom to sign elsewhere?

In Denver, first-year head coach Josh McDaniels wanted to avoid a similar precedent by refusing to trade or release insubordinate wide receiver Brandon Marshall after the two famously butted heads in training camp.

In Kansas City, no one wanted Johnson to walk away thinking he had won the fight.

"We didn't want to make an example of this player for all the wrong reasons," a well-placed Chiefs source told FanHouse.

Clearly, Johnson could not play for Kansas City again. But given the choice between deactivating him on game days and outright releasing him, the Chiefs braintrust determined that a divorce was the best solution.

"There was nothing to be gained by keeping him here. Nothing but more distractions and problems. Enough was enough," the Chiefs source said.

Considering Johnson still hasn't found a new team after clearing waivers, it's clear the rest of the NFL is considering whether the risk vs. reward factor that accompanies this once-productive running back is worth it.