Vick: Young Has Had 'Tough Breaks'
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.
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.
- Choking insecure running backs who think they are quarterbacks? You should not talk about Kevin Kolb like that.
— tightmadness - Hey there Philly fans remember sometimes what you wish for turns out to be a nightmare. Young was a disaster here in Nashville. He has a difficult time reading defenses, acts like a baby, throws sidearm, and got the lowest score on his Wunderlich test. In short, you can have him, we don't want him.— kd45music
- Young is not coming heree to be a backup quarterback. To be honest, he is bigger, stronger, faster, taller and more accurate than Vick, and he can run as good or better than Vick. He will become the starter by the seventh game and be realeased at the end oif the year. In a way, this is poetic justice. Young has good year this year, blows up next year. Eagles in last place.— marioP
Comment removed.- This should read, Young takes over in 7th game. Vick released at the end of the year. Young has good year this year, but is one and out in playoffs. He blows up next year. Hey guys let me know how your interviews with Young go. This is more fun than the 4th of July. Goodbye Andy.— marioP
- Oh, now that makes sense...hahahaha — tpizza
- This will be a strong test for Vince Young! I think the combination of Reid and Vick will keep him under control. Also Young will be on the bench. If Young was brought in as the starter then I would question this. I think he has an opportunity to sit back and learn how to mature and deal with the vultures in the media.— tightmadness
- Who cares about Young's wonderlic score. For those of you who do not know, Jeff Fisher is a USC guy and really wanted Matt Leinart. When the owner decided on Young, it was a rocky relationship. You guys forget Andy Reid knows about quarterbacks. I know many of you would like McNabb to leave this planet, but McNabb and Favre are successful QBs thanks mainly to Reid.— tightmadness
- So are you saying that Young failed because of Fisher and not because he is -- like McNabb -- dumb? So when do you think someone is responsible for their own success or failure?
- Comment removed.
- Sorry to say, but the first time this guy gets booed, he's done. Hope you bought a second layer of skin and a third, you're going to need it in Philly. Vince, you don't have a clue as to what you are in for. What's the over/under before he cries?— Craig321
- Do we really need 2 speed demon QB's?— Ace-Philadelphia
- "Speed Kills". San Jose State track motto. — theborg
- Another "Low Character" guy ....Andy Reid should also sign Plaxico Burress, he will fit in perfectly with low character Vick and Young.— frank105
He'll be someone Andy and Marty develop and then try to trade for a 2nd round draft pick. Hopefully he won't have to play much this year.
