Camp punctuality will be key for Titans’ Young

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, July 19, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Tennessee Titans
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

On Thursday, the Tennessee Titans and their first-round pick, Vince Young, are set to begin face-to-face contract negotiations. The organization is hoping the third overall choice can agree to terms on their proposal, which would get him to the start of training camp on July 28. Without question, getting into camp on time will be huge for Young, since he has much to learn at the pro level.

Young's agent, Major Adams, is getting set to negotiate his first big contract in the NFL, and is reportedly studying the deal of San Francisco 49ers second-year QB Alex Smith, who was given $24 million in guaranteed money as the No. 1 pick in 2005.

After he left the University of Texas, where he won a championship last season, many knocked Young's chances at becoming a big-time pro quarterback. The main argument against the Heisman runner-up from '05 lies in the offense he ran with the Longhorns. In Austin, Young was part of a system that had plays mapped out when the 6-5, 233-pounder got to the line of scrimmage.

Unfortunately for Young, he won't have that kind of luxury at football's highest level. Instead, he'll have to deal with opposing defense's complex blitz schemes and audible packages. Under Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Young will be expected to learn a difficult offense. If he successfully comprehends it, the 23-year-old could have the same kind of success as former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who thrived under Chow with the Trojans in 2003 and 2004.

The abovementioned explanations are why Young must make it to camp, especially if he plans on making any kind of impact in his rookie campaign. In today's league, first-year players hold out of camp too often, which leads to them falling behind their teammates and taking much too long to understand the NFL game. For Young to become the player the Titans are hoping for, making it to camp will be a positive start.

Although the Tennessee Titans will have to pay Young--who will be the backup for 30-year-old Billy Volek--big money, it will end up being worth it, as he'll make it to camp at the same time as his new veteran teammates. If not, the team's fans might end up wishing they still had Young's mentor, Steve McNair, in the fold.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

For more news on Vince Young and other rookies, visit Realfootball365.com each and every day.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Connor Byrne

...Sorry, Connor Byrne's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report