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.
Booooooo— blueye7- The guy is an athlete. And we paid like what, 10 cents for him? A lot of upside here.
— Poppys - So we have the leagues only 'left hook, right hook' combination. Vince Young is a tall Mike Vick, and that ain't bad. When the opposing team stacks the goal line with tall defenders, put Vince in and let him stand tall and cruise laterally until someone comes open. It's good; it's all good, bros.— theborg
- good signing! has loads of talent and just needs good coaching. keep eye on T&M Johnson qb .. until hurt shoulder he was a top qb in BIG12. need OT,DT,LB & S yet .. go BIRDS!— bill poore
- Johnny Unitas and Terry Bradshaw couldn't even spell 'wonderlic'. Stupid pencil pusher concept.
"Who's Kafka?"— theborg - After watching Young for the last five years down here all I can say is that I hope Vick stays healthy the whole season.
Young is an invertabrate and will not help the Eagles at all.— TNBUCO 
YES YES YES!!!!!! YIPPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!- He will love Philly!. All the polite applause and encouragement from the fans will fit his delicate personality. That said, if he can develop a thick skin, he is a great talent. Nice pick-up.— jjthree
- The last two games of the year were enough for me !! Vick sucks !! period !!! film doesnt ly!! Is vick fun to watch sometimes but where never going to win with him period!! Andy reids offense never shows up in big games and it wont again this year !!Draft was a sleeper ! Eagles 11-5 overhyped again alot of garbage wins again !! and one and done again!!!!— pjsroom
- I think he is worth the risk. He got hot a few years ago and won several games in a row. If Vick gets knocked out for 2-3 weeks this guy could easily go 3-0 or 2-1. That's all your asking. He's immature and can sulk at times still I think Andy can turn that around. Tennessee was getting stale with Fisher as coach. This is a whole new ballgame. No denying his physical skills. The other QB's out there are way past their primes. Young is only 28. Andy is going to use him on some trick plays. You are going to see some really demoralized defenses after they play the Eagles this season.— Drew777
Comment removed.- Just watched a Youtube highlight video 2010 and I have to say there are many worse qbs to have as a backup...for all the naysayers, I ask you "who would you have preferred for the Eagles to sign as the back up qb??" Wait, let me go see if Peyton or Aaron are available? Sorry, the Colts and Packers Front Offices both hung up on me inexplicably...guess its a "no".— sedale
- Kafka should be thrilled! Now he only has to beat out a thin skinned half wit for the back up job!— bluebellious
- I have never liked Vince Young as an NFL quaterback. Perhaps getting benched has deflated that enormous ego of his. I saw an interview with him a few years back that I did not like. The interviewer asked what he needed to learn as a QB, his answer: "nobody can tell me anything". He played his way out of Tennessee with that attitude...— Getinline
- I'm pretty sure Young will listen to V-7. In fact, he'd be pretty damn stupid NOT to considering what the guy has been through. So maybe we got a decent guy as a back-up. Hope so, cuz IF the O-Line starts collapsing again, he's gonna NEED those legs. Good Luck to ALL the guys1......FLY EAGLES FLY!!!— TBear
