Young, Titans’ offence really coming together
One of the offences that is going under everyone’s radar is that of the Tennessee Titans. Many insist that Chris Johnson is the only vital part of their offence, but they may be in for a surprise. Vince Young continues to get better and better each day and is growing into the leader of the team. His receivers are also feeding off of him and are improving each day. Young also has some tight ends with a combination of size, power and good hands.
The Titans' offence may not contain the star power of teams like the Chargers, Cowboys or Colts but they’re coming along and may be recognized as stars by season’s end.
It still all starts with Young. Young has had a rough road to development but he seems to have learned his lesson from earlier years. His poise, maturity, decision making and pocket presence have all improved dramatically. With the exception of a questionable strip club incident a couple of months ago, Young has taken steps as a quarterback and as a man. His offence continues to feed off of that. Young’s offensive unit is firmly behind him and they believe in him.
"We have the best group around him we have ever had. And they're all coming on, just like he is." Coach Jeff Fisher said.
The belief in Vince Young goes past his offence as the coaches all agree they are very happy with what they are seeing in Young. A quarterback whose career once looked like it was on life support has revived and is looking better than it ever looked before. Young is not just a scrambler who can make plays with his legs but is throwing accurately from the pocket and is developing into the total package. His coaches are now ready to reward him by giving him more opportunities and responsibilities.
"We are giving him more of the book this year, more of the scheme," offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said. "There are things he can expand. He is better now on the intermediate and short throws. He's ready to make more plays downfield. He's in his fifth year, but really, this is only the second year we can put a full year together working together. He's working hard and studying hard. And he still has that ability at quarterback to take off. That's still a plus."
Young played in 13 games his rookie season. The next year the team hired Heimerdinger but Young did not play a big role in the offence as the team relied heavily on the running game. Young lost his starting job after the first game of the 2008 season and got it back last season after the Titans started 0-6 with Kerry Collins as their starter. Young helped turn things around, going 8-2 in his 10 starts and showed amazing signs of improvement.
"It's a great feeling," Young said. "I've been through a lot since I was a rookie. I've learned a lot about preparation. I'm ready for this game now and ready to lead. It doesn't matter in the NFL if you are Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, a top quarterback, there are things you go through that are tough playing this position. It's all about how you come out of it."
Young is very comfortable now with his receiving corps. The offence is now probably the best supporting cast Young has ever had. Of course there’s Chris Johnson behind him, coming off a record setting year. His targets include Kenny Britt, Justin Gage, Nate Washington, as well as tight ends Bo Scaife and Jared Cook. Even Lavelle Hawkins and Damian Williams have shown great strides and may be ready to take a big role with the offence.
"I've got a great supporting cast at receiver and tight end,” said Young. “I've got an offensive line that is special; I always tell them in the huddle, 'You get the front; we've got your back.' And this year I will be able to change the protection at the line of scrimmage. I've never been allowed to do that before. Dinger (Heimerdinger) is not yelling at me like he used to yell at me."
The Titans' offence feels that they have never had better chemistry than they have right now. It was Washington’s first season in Tennessee last year, it was Kenny Britt’s season, Hawkins had never played with Young before and Gage was injured for a good part of last season. Now they’re primed and ready to work as a unit. The receivers aren’t full of big egos and are willing to share the glory for the good of the team.
The Titans are really buying into what Fisher is selling and are learning and getter better every day. They’ve shown some great signs in pre-season and training camp. While Johnson got this offence going last year, Young is now ready to make this an offence that can beat defences with both the running game and the passing game.
"I believe in hard work," Young said. "I believe in doing and accomplishing all the things that people said I couldn't. I'm ready for that."
There have never been higher hopes in the Vince Young era than this year. He has shown all the good signs, has said all the right things and is picking up the right habits. If everything comes together this could be a special year for the Titans.
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