Is Vince Young Ready to Lead the Titans?

There’s no going back now. There are no more excuses, no more speed bumps and no more fits. And, there just isn’t any more time. However, there is time for Vince Young to emerge, not just as a leader, but the leader for the Tennessee Titans.

Young’s career has had its bright spots and its growing pains thus far. Young has some good stats and some mediocre stats.

His rookie season saw him assume the starting role once veteran QB Kerry Collins and the Titans were off to a 0-3 start. Young suffered two more losses before earning his first win and the Titans first game of the season to place the team at 1-5. Young finished the season 8-5 as a starter and the Titans fell just short of recovering to reach the playoffs with an 8-8 record.

Young’s rookie season brought many entertaining and clutch performances. Most notably in Week 12 against the New York Giants. The Titans trailed 21-0 in that game only to come back with 24 fourth quarter points to win the game. Young led that comeback, and this game was when many felt that a legend was in the making.

The next season, many had high expectations out of the young QB. Young’s stats weren’t impressive for the season except for his win-loss record. Tennessee finished at 10-6 as Young started in what is still his only playoff game to date.

Young’s strengths proved to involve his ability to make a play when his team needed it. Along with a solid running game and a strong defence, Young’s performance in his sophomore year was sufficient in helping the Titans make the playoffs.

The 2008 season proved to be a very successful one for the Titans, but not for Young. Young’s season got off to a nightmarish start on opening day. He was injured against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was suddenly out for three weeks.

Young was also experiencing personal problems at this time as he was speculated to have been contemplating suicide. He left his home without a cell phone and with a gun.

Fortunately, Young returned to the team and spent the rest of the season as Kerry Collins’ backup, learning from the more experienced quarterback. The Titans finished as the top seed in the NFL at 13-3 but lost their first playoff game to Baltimore.

Last season saw Young once again start as the backup. After a horrendous 0-6 start and some nudging from the team owner, Jeff Fisher decided to go back to Young and the move paid off. Young led the Titans to an 8-2 record the rest of the way and nearly got the Titans into the playoffs.

Young’s record as a starter is impressive at 26-13. He does not have the most passing yards or touchdowns, but his ability to make plays with his arms and his legs brings a valuable dimension and allows him to be successful as a QB.

Young’s talent is not in question. It’s his leadership and his attitude that puzzles people. He has shown signs of being a great leader, in college and at certain points in Tennessee.

Young has been dubbed the franchise quarterback of this coming season. He has to be the main guy along with RB Chris Johnson if the Titans are to be successful. A lot of veterans are gone as the Titans decided to go with a youth movement, which leaves Young among the more experienced players on the team. Now is the time for him to lead his team to glory.  

The Titans gave him his contractual bonus in March and kept him because they believe in their number one draft choice of 2006. They need his best. He has shown improvement in his play, his wits and his attitude. Now Vince Young must set the example and become the main man in Tennessee.