Why Not Matt Leinart or Vince Young?

by user Seminolechief

As I watch the Tennessee Titans and Jeff Fisher lose to Miami, I can't help but wonder how the Titans benefit from starting Kerry Collins. Collins is 0-3 as a starter this year, and has looked clueless. Vince Young was drafted to be the future of the organization, and if they aren't going to win anyway how does starting Vince Young hurt them? There can only be positives for the Titans. Young will sell tickets, jerseys, and maybe will throw less picks than Collins. I don't see any reason Jeff Fisher needs to play Kerry Collins, and every reason to play Vince Young.

Matt Leinart is a more interesting question than Young. Even this week, Arizona has been suspected to start Matt Leinart. Leinart and Dennis Green have dismissed these rumors and it appears Kurt Warner will remain the starter versus Atlanta. Warner is an effective QB when given the time to make throws, and not being sacked many times. Both of those luxuries have been taken away by the extremely poor play by the Cardinals line, that allowed Warner to take a beating, and throw 3 interceptions during last weeks game. Kurt Warner also has been speculated to have a wrist injury that may have been the cause of his 8 fumbles so far including a key one inside St. Louis territory last Sunday. Leinart is an unknown so far, having seen limited action even during the pre-season. Arizona is smart to stick with Warner, but if by their bye week in week 9 they have fallen out of contention, Leinart should be given an opportunity to lead the Cardinals.

Date

Tue 09/26/06, 12:55 pm EST

I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1159 days ago

Score 2

Too many QBs have been rushed into starting jobs and end up losing their career because of injuries, failed expectations or a combination. The transition is too big to make right away even coming from big schools like Texas and USC. The Titans aren't going to win no matter who they start, so it's better to save Vince Young's body for a time when he knows the league and his team better. There are very, very few athletes that can make a quick transistions and the hardest position to do this at is Quarterback. Putting huge expectations on a guy that's very young and very raw is going to lead to a lot more situation like what happened with Tim Couch and very, very few miracles like Ben Roethlisberger.

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JoshkrossDraft Pick

1159 days ago

Score 0

Plus, remember Roethlisberger wasn't really so miraculous, as he only had to throw 15 times a game. That team was stellar, and it made it easy to be a rookie. Remember, Trent Dilfer has a Super Bowl ring too. Neither Arizona nor Tennessee have the team to surround the QB with, although the Pink Tacos are closer.

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Davis21wylieMVP

1159 days ago

Score 3

Collins is being offered up as a sacrificial lamb while they get Young ready. You don't want Young's confidence being shattered by that situation, so you leave Collins in, let him suck like a thirsty dog at an open toilet, and bring Young in around Week 12, after the really tough defenses have passed (except Jacksonville). Sure, you're basically screwing Collins over, but, frankly, doesn't he deserve it anyway? He's Kerry Collins. Of course he does.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1159 days ago

Score 1

Oh yeah, the confidence thing for me, too.

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DNLLegend

1159 days ago

Score 3

Tim Couch v. Daunte Culpepper. That's really the whole analysis right there. Couch comes into an environment that was the NFL equivalent of Hiroshima -- rubble and choas. He failed. Culpepper comes in with two Pro Bowl WRs, a year of tutoring (under Jeff George, but still), a great RB, strong offensive line, etc. Couch is sitting on it. Culpepper has been great albeit overrated. Is it all talent? It's not even mostly talent.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1159 days ago

Score 1

Oh yeah, the Daunte Culpepper thing for me, too. :-)

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1159 days ago

Score 3

I can't help but believe that the whole world has a dead wrong opinion about Warner. He DOESN'T need more time to throw. He needs less! I'll bet his completion percentage is twice as high with a 3 step or less drop than all other passes.

He's at his absolute BEST by throwing quick against the quick blitz. He makes fast accurate throws against pressure. Remember the Rams??? And his TWO league MVPs. He's not a bad QB. He puts up yards regularly.

He's at his absolute WORST when he has MORE time to think. he panicks and gets hit (hard) or floats ducks to places he shouldn't. Edge isn't the kind of guy to bail him out with a dump pass. He doesn't have a down-the-field arm and tends to get passes tipped at the line when he starts to roll left/right.

I'm getting tired of the "O-line doesn't protect him/he needs more time" talk. Denny Green needs to utilize him properly - slants, hot reads and quick throws.

Of course, none of this matters when he doesn't take the snap properly (maybe he's afraid to touch his Center's butt???).

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DeuelioJV Squad

1159 days ago

Score 1

Zing! Yes, I agree with Manny (yes son, I'm scared too) but when Warner was an AFL star, he was winging that ball all over the gym. Now, they're asking him to be a prototypical NFL quarterback when he's not that kind of guy. Let him drop back and wing the thing, that's when he is his best.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1159 days ago

Score 1

That's a whole lot of commentary from someone that thinks "football is stupid"

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J CunninghamVarsity Captain

1159 days ago

Score 1

Much of Collins' problem was he didn't have much, if any time, at training camp, so he's trying to learn the Titans' offense during the season.

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ASwaffAll-American

1159 days ago

Score 1

That only accounts for so much. Missing time at training camp doesn't account for why a veteran is throwing balls at the feet of wide open receivers.

That said, I don't think the Titans, or Vince Young, would benefit from starting Vince Young. Everyone knows this is a buidling season with no expectations. By inserting Young, you build expectations beyond what he may be ready to achieve. In the past, he's played best when he KNOWS he's the man. They need to play him when they're ready to say "you're our man," so he doesn't get messed up by looking over his shoulder. When they're ready to say he's the man, instead of just starting him because their other options haven't worked, that's when he should start.

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DennisODellTee-Baller

1159 days ago

Score 0

We all know how much the 49er's benefited from starting Alex Smith last year. But then the case could be made that because of that OTJ training his performance this year looks much improved. The Titans just need to decide if they way to throw away the season to let Young get the crap beat out of him while learning. And can his mental make up handle the potentially horrible play. As for Leinert/Warner, I agree with Manny--put Warner back in an AFL type of situation. 3 step drop. Snap and fire. He thrived in that type of offense in the AFL and with the Rams. As far as Young performing better by starting and throwing less picks. Uh... when NFL defenses KNOW they are preparing for Young he will see a whole different ball game. He we will be confused as hell. When his primary receiver is covered he will likely panic and tuck and run. It will be brutal for him if he gets the designated starting job. Nothing excites a veteran NFL defensive player more than the chance to go after a high draft pick rookie QB. Especially when they have a week to prepare for him.

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ASwaffAll-American

1158 days ago

Score 0

When his primary receiver is covered he'll tuck and run? Have you ever even watched Vince Young play? If I had to guess from that statement alone, I'd guess you hadn't. He's not Eric Crouch, he's not Brad Smith, he's not Michael Vick. He's not the kind of QB that looks for the first chance to run and takes it. He goes through his progressions patiently and runs only if he sees it as his best chance for a positive gain. You needn't worry about him tucking and running because he only sees one receiver and he's covered. That's not Vince Young.

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