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Tavern talk: Titans go back to the future

This time around, Vince Young must be a leader for Tennessee. Michael Lombardi

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The Vince Young Era number two begins in Tennessee this weekend at home against the Jags. Jeff Fisher made the right move, regardless of the feelings of the owner; this was the move he had to make. For the Titans to have a productive offseason, the Vince Young question must be answered and must be finalized one way or another. Progress can only come when questions have been answered correctly.

There will be no third chances for Vince. He will need to prove this time he is willing to accept the responsibility of being a starting quarterback in the NFL, from his preparation to his leadership on the field. His teammates must see this is the new and improved Vince, not the same old Vince who relied on his God-given talent.

Vince YoungAPPart two of the Vince Young era begins on Sunday.

This morning, Bill Simmons was on my favorite show, “Morning Joe,” on MSNBC promoting his new book (Yes, it was great as my two favorites collided.) Simmons was talking about his meeting with Isiah Thomas at a topless pool in Vegas arranged by none other than Gus Johnson. In their meeting, Thomas and Simmons found a common ground to forge a friendship based on “The Secret” to winning basketball—which is to get your team to play like a team and forget individual statistics. “The Secret” is harder in basketball than any other sport because players are paid for their performance based on their individual statistics. Therefore, to find players that are willing to forgo their individual numbers for winning becomes very difficult.

How does “The Secret” apply to Vince Young? Well, for one, Vince in Era number one was never loved or respected by his teammates for his overall work ethic as it relates to the game, or his own preparation. Vince always relied on his talent and could make enough plays to win the game—but that was in college. Now in the pros, being prepared, being responsible and being accountable is what makes a difference. Let’s hope the Vince in Era two knows “The Secret.”

In the last year, Young has been able to watch Kerry Collins be the leader and hopefully he has learned from the experience. Based on Justin Gage, it appears he has won over at least some of the team. “Just seeing how hard he hit the offseason, training camp,” the receiver noted. “He has been working hard to this point. (Last year) was a chance for him to sit back and learn the game for a year. He has done that and I feel like he is ready to go out there and show what he can do.”

Vince YoungAPYoung must learn how to lead on and, most importantly, off the field.

For the Titans to once again be a playoff competing team they need their quarterback to be the man, the leader, the one player teammates admire for his preparation, his commitment, his acceptance of responsibility and his work ethic. It always helps when the team assumes the personality of the quarterback. And when the quarterback is your hardest worker, your toughest player and your most prepared player, the team will follow. There have been times when teams have had good quarterbacks who were not good leaders, but building a team around that kind of player is a difficult challenge. Teams normally gain their personality from their head coach and quarterback.

Young needs to embrace the moment in Era two, work hard and give it everything he has—off the field. Nothing is going to go perfect on the field, but “The Secret” is to make it go right off the field.

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

Comments

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dave
Oct 29, 2009
07:25 PM

Morning Joe Sucks
if i hear mika one more time mmmmmhmmm into the mike, im gonna scream.
btw, her dad gave Iran away and we're still paying for it

Julian
Oct 29, 2009
08:15 PM

"For the Titans to have a productive offseason, the Vince Young question must be answered and must be finalized one way or another"

I know you don't like him Mike, but could this statement be applied to the Browns and Brady Quinn? I mean, if you have invested a first round pick on a player, at least let him show what he has on the field. I am right, you talked about the 10 games rule to evaluate QB...However, the Browns head coach doesn't even consider playing another QB besides Anderson. Rumors in Cleveland have both Quinn and Rattliff in Mangini's doghouse because they allegedly questioned the playcalling, so DA is safe even with the worst rating between starting QBs.

I think Mangini would rather lose in his own way before taking anybody's input...what a mistake Randy Lerner committed hiring this guy...

tully
Oct 29, 2009
09:58 PM

All the horrible teams out there and none of them wanted this idiot as their GM. So now he's blogging, which he apparently thinks means regurgitating leadership cliches from mediocre 1970's MBA programs. This site is like a football version of Death of a Salesman. Bunting's autism face makes him a perfect Biff.

jerry in texas
Oct 29, 2009
10:56 PM

I think Vince Young is a victim of early success. Rookie of the Year, then decided he could coast on his athleticism- like he did in college. He is a great athlete, but not a pro QB. Though, who knows? He could be the next Doug Williams- a guy who was terrible, then had one great quarter in the Super Bowl.

Seriously, this guy can try as hard as he wants, but he is not an accurate passer- and in the NFL, that is a major problem for a QB.

jerry in texas
Oct 29, 2009
11:03 PM

VY is an illusiion. He's a terrific college QB, but does not have the passing accuracy to translate into an NFL QB. End of story.

If VY is lucky, very, very lucky, he'll have the chance to have the great quarter of football Doug Williams had in a SB. Though I doubt it. One more year, then a backup, then forgotten and unmourned by the NFL faithful.

Alex
Oct 30, 2009
07:52 AM

Every other time I read the comments below Mike's posts there is some douche writing about how the Raiders got rid of him and nobody wants him as their GM yadayada. First of all - why are you reading these posts then? And second of all: how is that relevant? If you do not agree on the opinion in the article - lay out your case, let us hear some reasons why you are right and let us then judge. But you are going to write the same non-article-related personal shot BS over and over and over and over again - what is wrong with you? Don't you have better things to do? Don't you have a freaking life? Are you that small-penised that you have to make up for it by writing this non-sense? It is simply embarrassing.

Dude
Oct 30, 2009
09:22 AM

Dave
Not the place for political discussion. Mideast foreign policy had long been amuck before Micahs dad.

Ian
Oct 30, 2009
09:28 AM

Totally agree Alex, there's some serious internet troll crap in the comment section.
If you don't like Mike's articles go read sportsline or some other crappy mass media site.
Personally, I think this is the only site where you get real insight into the inner workings of the nfl.

hubcap
Oct 30, 2009
09:54 AM

I know you don't like him Mike, but could this statement be applied to the Browns and Brady Quinn?
===
This week's SI mentions that Brady Q. has up to $10.9m in performance bonuses coming to him depending on how much more playing time he gets. Knowing that, I guess it makes more sense. The Browns don't necessarily think that DA is better than Quinn...but they also know that Quinn is not their answer for the future. So why pay $10.9m for the chance to win one or two more games (if that) than DA?

Kind of stinks because you're paying full price for tickets for a team that's maybe consciously not fielding its best squad. But it is logical.

Yeah
Oct 30, 2009
10:32 AM

I will be at the game Sunday when Vince Young starts. Honestly.... I hope they announce the starting defensive players before the game instead of the offense. I'm a little nervous about the fan reaction. I'm sure he will be cheered greatly before he even takes his first snap.... but the first little chippy dinky dunk he bounce-passes to Ahmard Hall on a 2-yard swing play... the boo birds are going to come out... and I might be one of them.

Philippe
Oct 30, 2009
11:15 AM

The Brown's hired Mangini to dismantle the team and take advantage of next year's unfloored year. Tampa Bay will be their main competitor for lowest salary total in 2010.

Sonny L.
Oct 30, 2009
11:17 AM

Tully.....He Gone!!!

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