Vince Young is attempting an NFL comeback, and the former NFL Rookie of the Year is hoping to repair his image and name in the process.
Young, who was released by the Buffalo Bills last August, is planning to work out for scouts at the University of Texas on March 26. He is confident he can be an asset for a club, and he is hoping and praying that a team gives him another chance.
During an interview with NFL Network’s “NFL AM” Wednesday, Young talked about his desire to improve his legacy. Now 29 and married with children, Young says he has grown and matured. He even says he sent a letter of apology to his former coach with the Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher, who is now with the St. Louis Rams.
“I definitely wanted to apologize for the things that I did, letting him know about the frustration, a lot of different things that was going on in my life at the time,” Young said of his letter to Fisher. “And I wanted him to know that I really did appreciate him trying to make me become one of those type of leaders on the team, a successful quarterback.
“At the time, being immature and not paying attention and not listening and taking my frustrations out on a lot of people wasn’t the right thing to do. Just knowing that, hopefully he can read my letter and forgive me for that.”
Young is hoping that Fisher will be able to put in a good word for him with teams around the league. He says he would be willing to take a backup job and that he believes he would be a good leader and mentor for younger players.
“I really feel like I can do a much better job than most quarterbacks in the league. What I bring to the table is I’m a veteran guy. I know how to go about winning ballgames and leading my teammates to victory,” Young told NFL AM.
Even though he went 25-of-52 for 276 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions last preseason, Young says he thinks his off-field financial issues led to his release with Buffalo, not his play.
Young had an extremely tumultuous career with Tennessee. He was criticized for his shaky throwing ability, yet he won six straight games in his rookie season, leading to him becoming a Pro Bowler and Rookie of the Year. Coach Jeff Fisher started him at the behest of owner Bud Adams and preferred Kerry Collins instead. But Young’s poor passing caught up with him — he threw just nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions the following season. Young admitted he wasn’t mentally well that season and that he was considering retirement. It was also reported that he asked out of the team’s playoff game — a 17-6 loss at the Chargers.
Young missed time over the next three seasons because of injuries. He was benched during a Nov. 21, 2010 loss to the Redskins and walked out on Fisher in the locker room after the game. That was his last game with Tennessee. Despite all that, Fisher was complimentary of Young two years ago, saying his former quarterback could still win in the NFL. Considering his compliment of Young, it’s possible that Fisher will put out the good word for his former quarterback.
We still don’t think there is any reason an NFL team should consider adding Young; he played terribly when he got the opportunity with the Eagles in 2011.
