Texas QB Vince Young Headed to NFL Draft

[zippyjuan]

Texas QB Vince Young Headed to NFL Draft
By JIM VERTUNO (AP Sports Writer)
From Associated Press
January 08, 2006 5:39 PM EST
AUSTIN, Texas - Vince Young is headed to the NFL. The quarterback who led Texas to its first national championship in 36 years announced Sunday he would make himself eligible for the NFL draft.

"I thank God for the opportunity to be in this position," Young said at a news conference. "Hard work has paid off a whole lot."

Young, who led the Longhorns to a 41-38 Rose Bowl win over top-ranked Southern California on Wednesday, could have returned to Texas for his senior season and would have been a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

The versatile quarterback accounted for 467 yards against USC - 200 running and 267 passing - and ran 8 yards for the winning touchdown with 19 seconds left.

Young thanked many people, including his family and coach Mack Brown, who could not attend Sunday's news conference. He specifically thanked Brown for "helping me become a better man."

In a statement, Brown said he met with Young and his family Sunday morning and fully supports Young's decision.

"We love Vince and appreciate all the great things he's done for the University of Texas on and off the field," Brown said. "We'll miss him, but want him to do as well in the NFL as he did in college."

In his eight seasons at Texas, Brown never before has had a player leave early for the NFL.

Young ends his career at Texas with a 30-2 record - the best in school history.

His stellar performance in the Rose Bowl increased speculation that he would leave school early and also started a debate about whether he would be the No. 1 pick in April's draft.

Young is Texas' all-time leader in total offense (9,167 yards), career touchdowns (81) and career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (37).

This season, Young became the only player in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,036) and rush for 1,000 (1,050) in one season. His 4,086 total yards set a school single-season record.

Young won the Davey O'Brien Award for the nation's best quarterback and the Maxwell Award for the top college football player, but came in second behind USC running back Reggie Bush in the Heisman voting.

Though he's leaving a year early, Young emphasized his bond with Texas, saying, "I'll forever be a Longhorn."


So if you had the first pick, who would you take- him or Reggie Bush? Some said that the Rose Bowl increased Young's standing while it hurt Bush's prospects in the draft. One theory says that you go for the best all around athelete and that is probably Young. But you also have to consider a team's greatest needs.

[Cheesypuff]

I personally think that houston is going with reggie bush. because david carr is good qb. BUT, if houston is picking with the intent of trading for a good offensive line, I think they're gonna go with Young. But if they picking with the intent of keeping...they're going with reggie bush.

[ialsohaveadream]

So if you had the first pick, who would you take- him or Reggie Bush? Some said that the Rose Bowl increased Young's standing while it hurt Bush's prospects in the draft. One theory says that you go for the best all around athelete and that is probably Young. But you also have to consider a team's greatest needs.
Reggie Bush. Easy choice. I don't think Vince pans out in the NFL...at least not at QB. He throws like a girl. :)

[MikeD]

Reggie Bush. Easy choice. I don't think Vince pans out in the NFL...at least not at QB. He throws like a girl. :)

Hook 'em, hater. ;)

I'm with IAHAD. Bush could be a once-in-a-generation type athlete. Freakish ability. You don't pass that up.

[Bires]

Lienart.

Bush strikes me as another in the Vick line. Too good, too loud, too arrestable.

[bachviet]

I would go with Bush also but I don't think you are going to go wrong with either one.

Houston already commits to keep David Carr and drafts Reggie Bush.

The Saints or the Titans have a chance to draft either Vince Young or Matt Leinart.

[cheapie]

houston is retarded if they keep the pick unless they can beef up the "O" line also.

[brainsmile]

I'd take an OT

[Thesifer]

Reggie Bush. Easy choice. I don't think Vince pans out in the NFL...at least not at QB. He throws like a girl. :)

Damn throws like a girl with the best passing efficiency in the NCAA last year. I think I'd take a chance on that.

[PrObLy]

Damn throws like a girl with the best passing efficiency in the NCAA last year. I think I'd take a chance on that.

Do you remember Brad Banks? ;)


I'd probably take Omar Jacobs if I wanted a mobile QB with a strong arm.

[VTGreg]

Damn throws like a girl with the best passing efficiency in the NCAA last year. I think I'd take a chance on that.

NCAA = completely different story than the NFL.

In college Young ran the single wing option out of the shotgun and had a great offensive line. As a result, he had loads of time to throw and didn't have to make quick reads. In the NFL, the QB's that are successful are the ones that can read the defense quickly and get the ball where it needs to go within 3-4 seconds.

Michael Vick also had very good passing efficiency in college and he has been less than spectacular as a throwing QB in the NFL. He also has much better mechanics and throwing motion than Young.

[baggio248]

I've always wanted to say this....I told you so. :pfft:


It's possible if they keep sucking and get lucky. Leinart is projected top 3. Along with Vince Young and Reggie Bush.


....what the hell draft board are you looking at? Who would put Vince Young among the top 3 picks? DeAngelo Williams will probably go top 3, so will Leinart. Some teams might shy away from Bush early, which will be a mistake.

http://forums.gotapex.com/showthread.php?p=949547#post949547

[KIISQueen]

Reggie Bush. Easy choice. I don't think Vince pans out in the NFL...at least not at QB. He throws like a girl. :)



I totally :agree:

[ialsohaveadream]

I've always wanted to say this....I told you so. :pfft:
Last I looked, Kiper still had Vince at #7. Still, I guess you're right...some team is gonna be stupid enough to take Vince in the top 3.

[attgig]

Bush, as good as he was in college, i don't see as being freakishly good in the nfl. I won't know for sure until pre-draft workouts, but i don't see his 40 time being much better than 4.4, in which case, he's right there with all the other nfl backs. he's also undersized compared to nfl backs.

He's also been limited to outside runs at usc.... is he tough enough to run it up the gut in the nfl?
from what i saw in the rose bowl, white had a better body/physical makeup to become a good nfl back.


Young on the otherhand is destined to fail in the nfl. that throwing motion is the first thing nfl qb coaches are going to try to change. how will young take nfl coaches...will he want to change? will he resist syaing that's what made him successful till now.

also, option qb's have a history of turning out crappy in the nfl. it's one thing to have an nfl passer who can scramble, but when a scrambler tries to pass... they just don't work out. he'll die with nfl defenses getting to him quicker, him not finding anyone to pass to, trying to run... and getting knocked down by an urlacher type LB.

[JaQnAbOx]

Jones-Drew, the RB of UCLA also just stated that he was going into the draft. Definately not as good as Bush, but ive seen him in a couple of games.

[baggio248]

some team is gonna be stupid enough to take Vince in the top 3.

I heard the Titans will probably get him...McNair Part 2. Have fun running against guys that are actually bigger than you and will crush you when you scramble from the pocket.

[sizemic1]

I heard the Titans will probably get him...McNair Part 2. Have fun running against guys that are actually bigger than you and will crush you when you scramble from the pocket.

Why would Tenn want him? Maybe they'd trade him? I'd take their backup QB, Volek, over any of the potential 1st rounders. That guy kicks ass and could be a starter on any team.

I read this story on the CNN/SI webpage.
I liked this quote... "I feel like I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish in college,'' Young said.

Ya..well..how about getting a degree?

This one is good too..

Gil Brandt, longtime Cowboys personnel director and current NFL.com draft analyst, called Young a likely top five pick but said he thought Young should have stayed at Texas another year.

"........Going from college football to the NFL is about like going from eighth grade to being a graduate student at MIT.''

I think Young is going to be pretty surprised when he plays against teams that actually have a pass rush and a defense.

[ialsohaveadream]

Why would Tenn want him? Maybe they'd trade him? I'd take their backup QB, Volek, over any of the potential 1st rounders. That guy kicks ass and could be a starter on any team.
Volek is fine, but he's not a franchise QB. (Not that I think Young is, either)

"I feel like I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish in college,'' Young said.

Ya..well..how about getting a degree?
Why bother getting a degree? The NFL doesn't award merit pay raises for reaching educational goals. :shrug:

[MikeD]

He throws like a girl. :)

http://www.profootballtalk.com/1tacobill/vinceyoung.gif

:hehehmm:

[ialsohaveadream]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/1tacobill/vinceyoung.gif

:hehehmm:
I can do a decent imitation of his throw, too. I'll show it to you when I get up to DC. ;)

[sizemic1]

Volek is fine, but he's not a franchise QB. (Not that I think Young is, either)

I disagree. In fact, I think Volek is better than most of the current starting QB's.


Why bother getting a degree? The NFL doesn't award merit pay raises for reaching educational goals. :shrug:

Because most drafted players don't pan out..and the ones that do, have this unrealistic expectation of making a "career" out of football. When in reality, being an NFL player should be looked at as a stepping stone to your future career.

[ialsohaveadream]

I disagree. In fact, I think Volek is better than most of the current starting QB's.
I think he could be a starter on a few teams, but if he were that much of a stud, he'd be ahead of McNair.

Because most drafted players don't pan out..and the ones that do, have this unrealistic expectation of making a "career" out of football. When in reality, being an NFL player should be looked at as a stepping stone to your future career.
And even if his NFL career only lasts 4 years, he'll have made enough money that he could easily finish his degree after his playing days. It's not like this was his one and only opportunity to go to college.

[Sirrich3]

We'll just have to see how he does.

[zenbooty]

I keep reading analysts who say the Raiders are a very possible scenario for Young.

[VTGreg]

I can't see Young going top 5. Obviously I'm not a draft guru, but once all the hype from the Rose Bowl wears off and his abilities get broken down I don't see it. Charlie Ward was a gifted college QB that didnt' get drafted. Granted he wasn't as tall as young, but he was a mobile QB with a good arm that couldn't read defenses and ran the offense out of the shotgun.

I think Jay Cutler is a much better pro QB prospect than Young. I do think Young has the physical traits and abilities to be a terrific NFL WR.

[MikeD]

I think Jay Cutler is a much better pro QB prospect than Young. I do think Young has the physical traits and abilities to be a terrific NFL WR.

:agree:, though I admittedly have only seen Cutler play once.

How 'bout Young at TE? Obviously more of a receiver than a blocker, but he would give defensive coordinators nightmares trying to scheme for that.

[ialsohaveadream]

:agree:, though I admittedly have only seen Cutler play once.

How 'bout Young at TE? Obviously more of a receiver than a blocker, but he would give defensive coordinators nightmares trying to scheme for that.
Nah, look how Matt Jones did this year after converting from QB at Arkansas. He's going to turn into a fairly good receiver. VY could be the same. All he has to do is learn to catch the fade route.

[DarkFury]

I can't see Young going top 5. Obviously I'm not a draft guru, but once all the hype from the Rose Bowl wears off and his abilities get broken down I don't see it. Charlie Ward was a gifted college QB that didnt' get drafted. Granted he wasn't as tall as young, but he was a mobile QB with a good arm that couldn't read defenses and ran the offense out of the shotgun.

I think Jay Cutler is a much better pro QB prospect than Young. I do think Young has the physical traits and abilities to be a terrific NFL WR.
Ha ha... he called up "Charlie 'I wanna play Basketball' Ward" :heh:

Vince Young is a far superior athlete to Charlie Ward... I wouldn't really call Charlie "gifted"... he just was the best available that FSU had that year. :heh:

[IrishSS]

Ha ha... he called up "Charlie 'I wanna play Basketball' Ward" :heh:

Vince Young is a far superior athlete to Charlie Ward... I wouldn't really call Charlie "gifted"... he just was the best available that FSU had that year. :heh:

Uhhh... are we forgetting he won a heisman trophy as well? Charlie Ward is a tremendous athelete. He was just too damned puny to play in the NFL is all.

[DarkFury]

Uhhh... are we forgetting he won a heisman trophy as well? Charlie Ward is a tremendous athelete. He was just too damned puny to play in the NFL is all.
Yeah.. and how far did that get him in the NFL?

Guess that was a "sucky" year for the Heisman huh? Good thing Bush or Young weren't around back then. :heh:

[baggio248]

Why bother getting a degree? The NFL doesn't award merit pay raises for reaching educational goals. :shrug:

I'm interested to see how he does on the Wonderlic Personnel Test. I saw a website that actually had Alex Smith #1 on the test. But even if you don't do good, if you enough "potential" they could care less.

[VTGreg]

Yeah.. and how far did that get him in the NFL?

Guess that was a "sucky" year for the Heisman huh? Good thing Bush or Young weren't around back then. :heh:

Well, when comparing stats Young was a much more accomplished runner but they were both about the same in the passing game with Ward probably getting the edge.

In 1993, the year FSU won the national championship and Ward was a senior, he threw for 3,032 yards with a 69% completion percentage, 27 TD's and 4 INT's and ran for 339 yards on 65 carries with 4 TD's.

This season Young threw for 3,036 yards with a 65% completion percentage, 26 TD's and 10 INT's and ran 1,050 yards with 10 TD's.

The question isn't Young's ability to run the ball in the NFL, it is his ability to pass the ball that will be questioned, and for good reason. Ward, who is 6'2 and ran an offense out of the shotgun to simplify the decision making didn't get drafted. What makes Vince Young a first round, much less top 5, QB? His running ability?

[DarkFury]

Well, when comparing stats Young was a much more accomplished runner but they were both about the same in the passing game with Ward probably getting the edge.

In 1993, the year FSU won the national championship and Ward was a senior, he threw for 3,032 yards with a 69% completion percentage, 27 TD's and 4 INT's and ran for 339 yards on 65 carries with 4 TD's.

This season Young threw for 3,036 yards with a 65% completion percentage, 26 TD's and 10 INT's and ran 1,050 yards with 10 TD's.

The question isn't Young's ability to run the ball in the NFL, it is his ability to pass the ball that will be questioned, and for good reason. Ward, who is 6'2 and ran an offense out of the shotgun to simplify the decision making didn't get drafted. What makes Vince Young a first round, much less top 5, QB? His running ability?
Heh... back when FSU was a "powerhouse" team. My, how the mighty have fallen. :D

BTW... I never got into this arguement about Young's changes. I just like takin' stabs at FSU folks. :D

Besides... who would draft Charlie when he already made it clear that he wanted to play Pro Basketball and not be a "2 sport" phenom like one "Showtime" Neon Dieon Sanders (another FSU alum ;) ) It would have been a wasted draft pick on him... knowing that he didn't wanna play in the NFL.

[sizemic1]

I think he could be a starter on a few teams, but if he were that much of a stud, he'd be ahead of McNair.

I'm sure he would be if they weren't paying McNair a huge salary.


And even if his NFL career only lasts 4 years, he'll have made enough money that he could easily finish his degree after his playing days. It's not like this was his one and only opportunity to go to college.

And we all know how well a guy in his early 20's manages his money. He might get a decent signing bonus and an incentive laden contract. But history tells us he'll probably blow his money on his friends/family and other material things. And in the end..be an insurance salesman..ala Tommy Maddox.

I'd also be curious to know if Texas would allow him to finish his degree based on his scholastic achievements to date...

[ialsohaveadream]

And we all know how well a guy in his early 20's manages his money. He might get a decent signing bonus and an incentive laden contract. But history tells us he'll probably blow his money on his friends/family and other material things. And in the end..be an insurance salesman..ala Tommy Maddox.

I'd also be curious to know if Texas would allow him to finish his degree based on his scholastic achievements to date...
A lot of agents now set it up to where they have someone managing your money for the first contract. Artest did it when he signed with the Bulls...which is brilliant, because that man is retarded with money (he actually applied for a job at Circuit City in the offseason to get their employee discount).

[VTGreg]

Heh... back when FSU was a "powerhouse" team. My, how the mighty have fallen. :D

BTW... I never got into this arguement about Young's changes. I just like takin' stabs at FSU folks. :D

Besides... who would draft Charlie when he already made it clear that he wanted to play Pro Basketball and not be a "2 sport" phenom like one "Showtime" Neon Dieon Sanders (another FSU alum ;) ) It would have been a wasted draft pick on him... knowing that he didn't wanna play in the NFL.

Did Ward say that before or after he found out that he wasn't going to get drafted in the NFL?

If Young is a top 5 pick, he will be set from a monetary standpoint. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders and regardless of whether or not he lasts in the NFL, will have plenty of money for the rest of his life.

[DarkFury]

Dunno which came first... however from stuff that I read, the NFL was also too unsure whether or not he would go to the NBA to take a chance on him... (besides his obvious "size" disadvantage).

Pretty much they compare him to Doug Flutie who also got snubbed on Draft day, went to the CFL and then came back to the NFL. Charlie coulda played NFL... however playing in the NBA could lead to a longer and just as lucrative career... with less risk of permanent physical damage.

If you could do both... which would YOU pick? :shrug:


Now in saying this... I'm not saying that Charlie woulda become the #1 QB in the league... but he woulda had a good run had he chosen to do so. And in this conversation, I think that Vince Young would also do well given a chance.

[sizemic1]

.......Artest did it when he signed with the Bulls...which is brilliant, because that man is retarded with money (he actually applied for a job at Circuit City in the offseason to get their employee discount).

That's a DAMN good idea! I wonder if he's a member of G|A.

btw - I like your blog :)

[attgig]

Uhhh... are we forgetting he won a heisman trophy as well? Charlie Ward is a tremendous athelete. He was just too damned puny to play in the NFL is all.

I thought Ward publically stated he was going to NBA and so nobody drafted him.


Dunno which came first... however from stuff that I read, the NFL was also too unsure whether or not he would go to the NBA to take a chance on him... (besides his obvious "size" disadvantage).

Pretty much they compare him to Doug Flutie who also got snubbed on Draft day, went to the CFL and then came back to the NFL. Charlie coulda played NFL... however playing in the NBA could lead to a longer and just as lucrative career... with less risk of permanent physical damage.

If you could do both... which would YOU pick? :shrug:


Now in saying this... I'm not saying that Charlie woulda become the #1 QB in the league... but he woulda had a good run had he chosen to do so. And in this conversation, I think that Vince Young would also do well given a chance.

charlie was 6'2" all players bulk up once they hit pros. i don't think the size was that big of a deal. i'm pretty sure it was more the nba vs nfl thing.

[DarkFury]

I thought Ward publically stated he was going to NBA and so nobody drafted him.



charlie was 6'2" all players bulk up once they hit pros. i don't think the size was that big of a deal. i'm pretty sure it was more the nba vs nfl thing.
I agree with ya...

I'm just trying to give some more info from what was dug up on a google search. :D

[ialsohaveadream]

Charlie coulda played NFL... however playing in the NBA could lead to a longer and just as lucrative career... with less risk of permanent physical damage.
No, MORE lucrative career. Two words: guaranteed contracts.


That's a DAMN good idea! I wonder if he's a member of G|A.

btw - I like your blog :)
Hmmmm, did anyone suddenly start posting more after Ron Ron's suspension last year? :)

And thanks. I need to update the thing, but I've had a really busy week.

[Grubbie]

And we all know how well a guy in his early 20's manages his money. He might get a decent signing bonus and an incentive laden contract. But history tells us he'll probably blow his money on his friends/family and other material things. And in the end..be an insurance salesman..ala Tommy Maddox.


The problem is that if he is a top 5 pick he is getting 15-20million. If he can't manage 15million, then how will a degree help him?

The problem with staying to get your degree now is you cost yourself millions by staying an extra year. If he doesn't go 1-3 next year he probably loses 1-3million and the fact that he doesn't get paid for the extra year of working in the NFL.

A couple of scouting reports I have read on him have stated that there is not much more he can learn in CFB.