Vince Young, Tennessee Titans / Image: Zuma Press

So, where does the team go from here? Well, for starters, they can keep handing the ball to Chris Johnson. Chris had a franchise record 228 yards with two touchdowns today. That makes Vince’s (or any quarterback’s) job a lot easier. And with a favorable schedule the rest of the way (five of their upcoming opponents have losing records)—I’m not saying the Titans have any shot at the playoffs—but maybe they can make this thing respectable. And rediscover their franchise quarterback in the process.

Source: NFL.com

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Vince Young is Back, Titans Win First Game

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans / Image: Zuma Press

But coach Fisher insisted any quarterback decision will be made between owner and coach:

“We’ve been communicating through the whole process, and we don’t have any issues. Despite what you hear, despite what you read, the decisions we make are collective decisions.”

The Titans are pitiful. And Kerry’s numbers aren’t far behind—he only has five touchdowns to eight interceptions with a horrible quarterback rating of 62. So as far as any kind of change in Tennessee is concerned—if not now, when? I don’t think Vince will fare much better, but any chance to spark the team is worth a shot at this point.

Source: NFL.com

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Titans Owner Wants Vince Young to Start

Jon Gruden / Image: Zuma Press

Coach Gruden is describing the experience as “life-changing” for himself and his colleagues:

“You can read about what our troops are doing over here or you can watch reports on television, but none of that can compare to being here with them. It’s inspiring. I think sometimes people forget the role our military plays in keeping our country safe. There is the Air Force, the Navy and the Army all working together tirelessly, putting in long hours every day so far away from home. I’ll never think about military service the same way after seeing it up close this week. It’s been a life-changing experience for all of us.”

What better day than July 4 to remember our troops and thank them for protecting our freedoms.

Source: ESPN.com

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NFL Coaches Inspired by USO Trip

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

In a 13-10 AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens this afternoon, Tennessee Titans rookie running back Chris Johnson had a first half to remember — 11 carries for 72 yards and one catch for another 28. The Titans were controlling the clock and successfully moving the ball against the NFL’s second stingiest defense. But Chris was nowhere to be found in the second half. He quietly suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter and could only be seen walking the sidelines thereafter. One wonders if the outcome would have been different had Chris been able to play the entire game. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was left wondering, too:

“He (Chris) made some big plays, had some significant plays with his speed in the first half so I would think one would assume that we missed out on some opportunities. We’ve overcome injuries all year and that’s not the reason we lost the ballgame.”

Source: TitansOnline.com, Photo: Newscom

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What Happened to Chris Johnson?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

In a shocking turn of events, the Denver Broncos fired head coach Mike Shanahan today. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen issued the following statement:

“After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned. I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time. His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.”

Of all the coaching changes I saw coming, this was certainly not one of them. Coach Shanahan’s record speaks for itself. But a December collapse that saw the Broncos squander a three game lead in the AFC West with consecutive losses to Carolina, Buffalo and San Diego apparently sealed his fate. The Broncos have also not made the playoffs the past three seasons. Nevertheless, I believe coach Shanahan earned the right to depart on his own terms — when he was ready to leave the game or pursue other interests or coaching positions. It’s a tough call if Mr. Bowlen felt the team was stagnating — and I don’t know if he had a previous agreement with coach Shanahan regarding a playoff berth this year — but it is surprising to see coach Shanahan being dismissed from a position he held for 14 years (with an impressive 146-89 won-loss record). He was the longest tenured coach in franchise history and he held the second-longest tenure in the NFL behind Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher.

Source: DenverBroncos.com, Photo: Newscom

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Broncos Fire Head Coach Mike Shanahan

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Forget seconds. How about thirds? That’s the appetizer on the National Football League Thanksgiving menu this Week 13 of the NFL season — three Turkey Day servings of football, followed by a whole lineup of games on Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday. Even the players will be in their easy chairs. Like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning:

“I remember watching Thanksgiving games as a kid. Even in high school and college, and now in the NFL, you practice, you come home and you watch Thanksgiving football.”

Football has been a part of my Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m relaxing with my family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina or home for the holidays in snowy Pennsylvania (like this year), you can bet we’ll have all three games on — even if in the background during dinner. Thanksgiving Day has always been about family, food and football. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Here’s what’s on the pigskin platter:

TENNESSEE TITANS at DETROIT LIONS (CBS, 12:30 PM ET): Fans will see two of the top rookie rushers in the league in Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (second among rookie RBs with 833 yards) and Detroit’s Kevin Smith (fourth with 599 yards). Kevin has consecutive games of 96, 112 and 86 yards. The 10-1 Titans are smarting from their first loss to the Jets last week. “It was a great run,” says Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher. “We’ve got to win our next game.” With a win and an Indianapolis loss, the Titans take the AFC South.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS (FOX, 4:15 PM ET): The final Thanksgiving game in Texas Stadium, where some of the most memorable NFL games on the holiday have been played (Cowboys Thanksgiving record in the stadium: 21-14). The Cowboys look like they’ve regained their early-season swagger. The Seahawks will have to bottle up receiver Terrell Owens, who comes off his second-best career yardage day — 213 yards on seven catches. “He’s still got it,” says Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Whatever.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET): The QBs are riled! And that’s not good for the DBs. The Cards’ Kurt Warner, after Arizona lost to the Giants on Sunday, says, “We can play with anybody if we eliminate the mistakes.” A win and the Cards capture the NFC West. QB Donovan McNabb, benched for the first time in his career Sunday, is still the starter for Philly. “Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way, and Donovan will do that,” says Eagles coach Andy Reid.

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NFL Thanksgiving 2008

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tennessee Titans rushed for a franchise record 323 yards en route to a lopsided 34-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs this afternoon. Rookie running back Chris Johnson had 168 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown. And running back LenDale White added 149 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns. The Titans are not only running the football (currently third in the NFL), they are stopping the run (they held the Chiefs to 58 rushing yards today and average giving up less than 90/game) — a formula for certain success in the National Football League. Nevertheless, head coach Jeff Fisher sees room for improvement:

“Any time you run for the yards that we did, the franchise record and the two backs over 100, it’s impressive. But we still made some mistakes. I think we can play better. We just keep working, stress improvement.”

I guess there’s always room for improvement, but at 6-0 and as the only remaining undefeated team, the Titans are on a roll. I love the way this team plays the game — old school, smash mouth football. How far it will take them without a loss remains to be seen. But it sure is fun to watch.

Source: TitansOnline.com, Photo: Newscom

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Tennessee Titans Run Wild

The police report filed after this week’s search for Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young states Titans head coach Jeff Fisher told police Vince’s therapist said he “mentioned suicide several times.” And he was driving around with a gun in his car. You can read the entire police report for yourself: Vince Young Police Report.

Whatever happened this past week, hopefully it’s in the past. I can’t speak or completely understand what Vince was going through or is still going through. I only hope he can cope with whatever pressure or depression he might be feeling and be able to come back and improve his game and lead the Titans offense. His football career is of great interest to many but his personal well-being is far more important.

Source: Nashville City Paper

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Vince Young Police Report

Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young spoke out against the rumors that he was tired of playing football today. He took questions for about 15 minutes after practice today (he didn’t practice) and set straight the idea that he was not committed to being the leader of the Titans. It was his first time to speak publicly since a bizarre incident in which Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, concerned about Vince’s mental state, called police for help in locating him Monday night:

“I’m fine. I’m good. I just needed a day-and-a half to get through some things and how to handle things, but now I am OK. I was never depressed, I just hurt a little bit ….. When it happens again I’ll know how to handle it. I just want everyone in the world to know I am fine ….. It was my first time getting booed. I didn’t know how to handle that ….. Football, this is my life. This is my dream. All I did all these years growing up to get to this point and never had an injury like this before in my life. It’s a hard time because I’m a competitor, and I definitely want to be out on the football field with my teammates.”

This is all well and good but the fact remains, Vince hasn’t settled in to being a successful NFL quarterback and the clock is ticking. If the Titans are winning football games with backup QB Kerry Collins, I would be surprised if Coach Fisher puts Vince back into his starting position.

Sources: TitansOnline.com, Tennesseean.com

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Vince Young: ‘Football, This is My Life’

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

With all the talk of Tom Brady’s season-ending knee injury yesterday, fellow QB Vince Young’s reported MCL sprain kind of went unnoticed. Vince went down in the 4th quarter of a 17-10 win over the Jacksonville Jags. No diagnosis was available from the Titans today. Head coach Jeff Fisher did not have the results of the tests on Vince’s injury when the coach met with the media this afternoon. He promised the results will be shared once available. Coach Fisher said if the injury is a third-degree MCL sprain, Vince could be out a couple of weeks. But he reiterated the Titans don’t know yet.

Many feel the bigger concern here is Vince’s play before the injury. He appeared unwilling to take the field midway through the fourth quarter following his second interception and some rough treatment from the fans at LP Field. What the heck? Apparently Vince began to experience some tightness in his hamstring after one of his INTs. But he was not being attended to by medical personnel. He was just sitting on the bench. When it was the offense’s turn to take the field again, Coach Fisher reportedly had to find Vince and talk to him (in an animated fashion) about getting back into the game. That’s just wrong. As a quarterback and leader of your team, you can’t let something like that happen. If you’re hurt, let the training staff take care of you. Talk to the coaches. You can’t just not take the field when it’s your turn.

Vince seems immature to me. On the field, he simply hasn’t grown into the pocket passer the Titans need him to be. That, coupled with an apparent problem dealing with adversity, equals quarterback troubles in Tennessee. Vince was an amazing college quarterback. But it will be interesting to see if he still has his starting job with the Titans when he returns from this injury.

Sources: TitansOnline.com, Tennesseean.com, Photo: Newscom

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Vince Young Knee Injury