Titans’ coaches didn’t want Vince Young
By John McCarty
In 2006 NFL Draft, third-overall pick Vince Young was far from being the team’s top-rated signal caller.
The Tennessee Titans entered the 2006 NFL Draft needing a quarterback. Selecting third, the Titans’ coaching staff believed it would land its top-rated player at the position. Turns out, they were wrong. In the end, the Titans ended up with Vince Young.
The Titans had Young as their third quarterback in the draft, behind both Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler. However, and Chris Chavez points this out in reference to a Sports Illustrated article about Vince Young, then Titans owner, the late Bud Adams, was a Young fan.
"“Everyone felt like Vince was the third of the three,” former Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow says. “But there was something about the owner.”"
Adams fell in love with the Longhorns signal caller after watching him lead Texas to a thrilling victory in the National Championship game over Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and the USC Trojans. At that point, it became irrelevant who was ranked where. Young was to be drafted by the Titans at three.
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Young spent six seasons with the Titans followed by the Eagles during his NFL career, throwing for 8,964 yards and 46 touchdowns. It has been well documented, Young was hoping to be selected by the Houston Texas at one, the team located in his hometown.
Matt Leinart would have to wait until the 10th-overall selection to the Arizona Cardinals, eventually giving way to Kurt Warner. After spending time with Houston and Oakland, Leinart was out of the league after the 2012 season and now works as a college football analyst.
Cutler went one pick after Leinart to the Denver Broncos. By far the best of the top three quarterbacks, Cutler would find success in Denver before being traded to Chicago. Cutler announced his retirement this offseason and is set to be an analyst for FOX starting this season.