QB Vince Young - Titans’ savior?

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on September 5th, 2007 filed in Features, Main

Down in Nashville, TN, one can only hope that the Titans fans do not pin any unrealistic goals on their star quarterback Vince Young.  After all, he did win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 after amassing 2,751 yards in total offense - 2,199 passing and 552 rushing.  But as Young told PA, “My expectations are whatever the defense gives us.  We can’t jump forward.  We’ve got to stay in our offense.  You know, the defense is trying to make you do things.  We’ve got to play our game and that’s basically it.”

Easier said than done, considering that this year’s version of the Titans has changed somewhat compared to last year.  They lost running back Travis Henry to Denver and wide receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade, as well.  However, there are some players who will attempt to fill the void of those players signing elsewhere.  You have WR Brandon Jones, a third-year player from Oklahoma, Nick Harper who was signed from the Indianapolis Colts this offseason and free agent WR Eric Moulds, who is in his 11th season.

The Titans’ running game appears to be settled, with LenDale White leading the way, followed by Chris Brown and Chris Henry, the rookie from Arizona.  But at the end of the day, the Titans’ fortunes rest on the success of Young.  His style of play may or may not benefit the team as the WR’s will have to acclimate themselves to Young’s scrambling style.  His style of play is probably a contributing factor to his below-average completion percentage (51.5%, lowest among NFL starting QB’s in 2006), so some work will have to be done to increase his passing efficiency.

His athleticism has saved the Titans’ behinds on many occasions last season, but will that be enough this season?  Only time will tell as the 2007 schedule for the Titans is not forgiving (they play Jacksonville, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Atlanta in the first month).  But depending on how well Young can adapt to the different defensive schemes thrown at him on a weekly basis will more than likely dictate the Titans season.