Vince Young
Ta-Nehisi Coates asks if Vince Young is a bust. As a longtime Oilers/Titans fan, I can say with some confidence: yes. As a Titans fan, I can also say that this was probably the best thing that could have happened to the team this year. Kerry Collins simply runs the offense more effectively and makes fewer mistakes. It was a mistake, albeit an understandable one, to draft him instead of Leinart (who, truth be told, has hardly acquitted himself well in the pre-season), but then it was also mistake to run off both Steve McNair and Billy Volek in the first place. As always, the owner of the team blunders and the team pays for it for years afterwards.
How badly would the Titans love to have that pick back with Jay Cutler still on the board and only having to move across the river?
I certainly wish him nothing but well, whatever ails him, but Vince Young always struck me as a one-year wonder, the product of a big outing in a Rose Bowl followed by an entire season that was sold by the sporting media as just a prelude to USC vs Texas. Neither marquee QB seems to be working out as planned – Leinert is the next Joey Harrington while Young calls to mind no one so much as Akili Smith.
I think you’re guilty of backup quarterback syndrome. I’m a Bears fan. All last year my brethren were calling for Brian Griese out of hatred for Rex Grossman. What they failed to realize was that they were calling for Brian Griese! Brian Griese sucks, and so, I’m afraid, does Kerry Collins. If Kerry Collins wins a playoff game I’ll eat my shoe.
Kerry Collins has won playoff games in the past. Collins now is a good deal older than the Collins then, but he’s capable of winning. Their respective numbers are basically identical, and Collins has done slightly better. Collins was 14/21 for 128 yds and a touchdown. Last week, Young was 12/22 for 110 yds with 1 TD and 2 picks. That’s a better passer rating, better completion percentage and no mistakes. I’m not claiming that Collins can be the franchise quarterback in years to come, but he’s simply better than Young right now.
The proper comparison with the Bears is with Orton. Orton is not an all-star any means, but he doesn’t lose games by making mistakes. I won’t make any bets about eating shoes, since I think the Bears with Orton can win playoff games. I wouldn’t bet against Collins and the Titans.
Actually, I think this is premature. I remember 1999, when Steve McNair had early problems and the howl went up for Neil McDonnell to replace him. Fisher did no such thing, and that sorta worked out OK. Sure, McNair was a veteran hitting a rough spot, and as far as I can tell never had the head problems Young seems to be having. But I’ve been a Titans fan long enough to suspect mob sentiment–and fan sentiment is mob sentiment. Young needs a lot of work [McNair seems to have buried the hatchett with the team, and can perhaps help his old protege], but I think it’s premature to count him out just yet.
Well, perhaps. I know that I was underwhelmed by McNair for the first few years he was there, and did come around to be pretty effective, but I don’t get the impression that Young is that much like McNair. I worry that he is the next Kordell Stewart.
Way premature!! The Titans were 2-14 when they drafted VY. With VY, they finished 8-8, 9-7 and made the playoffs once. During those 32 games, VY was basically their only offensive weapon.
I mean, come on. folks – we are talking about rookie of the year just two years ago with an overall winning record as a starter – let’s not put him out to pasture just yet. He needs to get his head straight and play ball, but I think he will do that.
Still wish Houston would have drafted him, though. You want to talk about a bust, let’s talk about Mario Williams!!
By the way, great blog. It is refreshing to find an honest conservative in a world of party hacks. I respect classic conservatives (limited government), but I find the modern Republican party to be pretty pathetic. They are probably better characterized as a European style nationalist party than a small government party.