Change Made, Young Returns To Starting Spot

Staff Report October 29, 2009

When the Titans began practice indoors Thursday afternoon, they had a new starting quarterback under center: Vince Young.

"He's going to be our starter," Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. "I'm not the kind of coach that who plays musical chairs at the quarterback spot. We've got two starting quarterbacks on this roster. Being 0-6 we're making this change."

Young will return to the starting role Sunday against the Jaguars, ironically, the team against which his career crashed last September. Young has not started a game since the 2008 season opener vs Jacksonville in which fans booed Young after an interception. Young reluctantly returned to the game under direction from the coaching staff. Moments later, he suffered an injury that opened the way for Kerry Collins' run as the starter.

Young has played in two games this season, going 0-5 with one interception in mop-up duty against Indianapolis and New England.

Fisher made it clear that he did not believe the team's 0-6 start resulted from Collins' play.

"I'm still in his corner," Fisher said. ""He wasn't happy but it's not Kerry's fault. I'm not using him as the scapegoat."

Titans Owner Bud Adams told the Tennessean earlier this month that he believed the Titans needed to see Young in significant action "to find out how well (Young) can do." The Titans owe the former first round pick a roster bonus of some $4.1 million in March, though Young's agent has said he would be willing to renegotiate the deal.

Calling the move "a collective decision," Fisher said his hand had not been forced by the owner.

Still, with an 0-6 start and the prospects of a potentially-high first round draft pick looming in 2010, giving Young a long look to see how he has grown as a quarterback makes sense. Those close to Young and the offense said the quarterback has been much more involved this season in classroom work, asking more questions during film study. Observers say he has looked shrarper throwing the football throughout camp and at the start to this season than at most any point in his career.

Though admitting he could not predict the situation of the season, Fisher said he did not forsee making another change at quarterback.

"We gave it to Kerry last year, now it's Vince's turn," Fisher said.

Sunday's start will be Young's sixth game against Jacksonville, a team that has caused him considerable trouble. He has completed 53 percent of his passes, below his career average, has thrown eight interceptions to three touchdowns, and has been sacked ten times.

Much as they did with Young's mentor Steve McNair, the Jaguars have also bottled up Young as a rusher. Outside of 22 yards on two scrambles in a week 10, 2007 loss to the Jaguars, Young's other 26 rushes have netted just 74 yards.

When he met with Young Thursday morning, Fisher said he told the quarterback to put the last year-plus of experience with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to good use going forward, noting Young had only limited knowledge with the new coordinator last year in the opener. Fisher also said inserting Young after the bye should help the quarterback.

"It's a good time for Vince," Fisher said. "His teammates are refreshed and just want to make plays."

"I think it will be a great challenge for Vince," Fisher said. "This is an opportunity."