Vick: Young Has Had 'Tough Breaks'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Vick: Young Has Had 'Tough Breaks'
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Michael Vick sees Vince Young, the quarterback the Eagles apparently are signing to a one-year deal, as the victim of some "tough breaks" since being drafted third overall in 2006 by the Tennessee Titans.
The NFL Network reported early this morning that Young had reached agreement with the Birds to replace traded QB Kevin Kolb as Vick's backup.
Young, 28, was released by the Titans yesterday. There was some confusion about whether the waiver process had been observed, but it turned out that under the new CBA, as a veteran with four years vested, Young was not subject to waivers.
"You see a lot of guys in this league who have some inconsistencies in their career, but they're able to change it down the stretch," Vick said after a teaching-paced Friday morning practice.
Vick said he knows Young. As a QB who benefited from a fresh start with the Eagles, Vick hopes to provide Young something similar.
"I look forward to having him in here, I look forward to working with him and making him a better player," Vick said. ""It's going to be a positive effect. I think Vince'll mature as a player, I think he'll get better as far as understanding what this offense is about. I think it'll help him, long-term."
Young has had an up-and-down pro career that includes two Pro Bowl berths and numerous benchings. Young entered the NFL with a widely criticized sidearm throwing motion and unquestioned athletic ability.
He has not seemed to react well to scrutiny and criticism in Tennessee. Vick was asked about that.
"We all have a problem with booing, trust me," Vick said. "We all hate getting booed. It's just part of the game. You've got to take the bad with the good."
Of the available backup types on the market, Young certainly has the most upside, and as a starter, he is 30-17.
Young has said he thought about retiring following his rookie year, even though he made the Pro Bowl.
"It was crazy being an NFL quarterback. It wasn't fun anymore," he said several years ago. Young later said these remarks were overemphasized. In 2008, he reportedly became distraught and depressed after having been booed.
Last season, he threw his shoulder pads into the crowd and had a loud confrontation with then-coach Jeff Fisher, when Young wasn't sent back into a loss to the Redskins, after leaving the game with a torn flexor tendon in his right thumb. The Titans eventually decided to part ways with both Young and Fisher.
The Kolb trade Thursday left second-year QB Mike Kafka as the Birds' only NFL-level QB behind Vick.
sounds good to me. Young has some skills. Eagles coaches obviously excel in a few areas, one of those is qb. As bad as reid is on gameday with the clock - well, he's that good with QB's. I'd rather have young than McNabb, and I love McNabb....just sayin...— Mass EagleFan- this should be interesting...— danielboyer
- Looking at the remaining free agent QB's out there, Young looks to be a logical addition. I mean he ain't Marc Bulger, but who is?— FishFryFrank
They say the back-up QB is always the most popular guy in town. Sounds like that could be just what Vince Young needs :D— conceptual_bro- WILDCAT!— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- I like it— notch44
- He has not seemed to react well to scrutiny and criticism...
he reportedly became distraught and depressed after having been booed.
Sounds like a perfect guy to play QB in Philly.— Curse of Billy Penn - True points, but he will not be starting initially so he will have an opportunity to learn how to deal with negative media like Reid and Vick. — tightmadness
- We gave Vick a second chance, turned out fairly well, didn't it? Doesn't this kid deserve a chance to grow up, too? He's just immature, wasn't behind bars or anything. With the recent Vick experiment at least partly a success, where better to develop this kid than here in Philly under Vick? If he stays a diva, just cut him next year. Hardly any risk.— goeagles87
- my thoughts exactly Billy Penn. If he could not handle Tennessee, he will be a puddle here once he throws his first incomplete pass.— CenterFielderGaryMaddox
- Noooooooooooooo!— blipster
- Another Problem Child .— Joe R.
- Vince Young + West Coast Offense = disaster— Dr. Michael
Comment removed.- His skills match up to Vick's better than any other backup available. The depression is a worry, though. That's ultimately what brought Andrews down. If he has a rough outing, the Philly fans will eat him up and spit him out.— dlscholt
