.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
The numbers pretty much told the story of Vince Young's first NFL start in 2006: two interceptions, two fumbles, a 43.7 quarterback rating and a 45-14 loss to the Cowboys.
But in retrospect, the most accurate assessment came from the quarterback who beat him.
Veteran Drew Bledsoe knew the pressure, the expectations and the challenges facing a highly acclaimed rookie. He had lived them as the first player selected in the 1993 draft.
"The big thing for a young quarterback when you're drafted that high is to be resilient," said Bledsoe, who would relinquish his job to Tony Romo three games later.
"Sometimes it takes one year. Sometimes it takes three or four. But what will define him is how he bounces back."
Four years later, Young faces the Cowboys for the first time since his rocky debut. The bounces keep coming. He is still searching for definition.
The player who led Texas to the national title with one of the greatest performances in college football history remains an unfinished pro product.
Flashes of greatness have been followed by setbacks. He's been benched numerous times. He set off a four-hour police search in 2008. He was cited by police on a misdemeanor assault charge from a scuffle at a Dallas strip club in July. And reports of him missing or being late to team meetings surfaced three weeks ago.
All the ups and downs have kept him from the upper echelon. Young, 27, has made it through only one season as the starter in every game he played.
"I feel like I'm doing OK," he said this week. "I'm taking care of my responsibilities. {ellipsis} I'm very comfortable with the offense. I feel I'm getting more and more mature about the game from where I used to be."
Young seems hardened by the scrutiny inherent in his high-profile job. Asked if he points to his 28-15 record to trump the negativity, he said:
"Somewhat, because there are so many doubters and they're still doubting now. A lot of people don't even mention that. They always mention all the other stuff. That's why I've continued to stay focused and use that type of thing as motivation."
Young seemingly could do no wrong after scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversion to erase a 12-point deficit in UT's Rose Bowl win over Southern Cal on Jan. 4, 2006.
But after turning pro four days later, Young made a series of questionable decisions: He hired a family member as his agent; signed autographs for $79 a pop in his hometown of Houston, and skipped a meeting with Reebok officials and the NFL commissioner's party during Super Bowl week. He also considered not throwing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
His first two pro seasons were full of positives. He started 28 of his first 30 games. He passed for 2,199 yards and ran for 552 as a rookie and had 2,546 yards passing and 395 yards rushing in 2007.
But the 2008 season virtually erased the first two. The night after he was booed during a 17-10 win over Jacksonville, Titans officials called police because they were concerned for Young's "emotional well-being." The quarterback was unreachable for four hours. His mother said he was "hurting inside and out" from all the negativity and was considering not playing.
Young dismissed the incident as a misunderstanding. He said he simply forgot his cell phone.
He played only three games after being benched in favor of Kerry Collins. Under Collins the next season, the Titans lost their first six games. Enter Young, who led them to eight wins in the final 10 games.
The inconsistencies have remained through the first four games of 2010.
He threw two touchdown passes, including a 56-yarder, in the opening victory over Oakland. He threw two interceptions and was replaced by Collins in the fourth quarter of a loss to Pittsburgh. He threw for a touchdown and no interceptions in a victory over the Giants. And in last week's loss to Denver, he passed for a season-high 173 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
"He's clearly improving," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's 10-4 since taking over last year and is making good decisions."
The biggest change in Young's life has been fatherhood. His longtime girlfriend, Candice Johnson, gave birth to a son, Jordan, in July. He is no longer playing for himself.
"I've got a family now," Young said. "I'm just focused on a lot of different things. It's not about VY. It's about myself, my kids and my family right now."
Top rushing quarterbacks since 2006
Where Vince Young has ranked in rushing among quarterbacks since joining the league in 2006: Player Att Yds Avg Long TD 1. Michael Vick 173 1,321 7.6 51 5 2. Vince Young 252 1,321 5.2 44 12 3. David Garrard 266 1,165 4.4 30 7 4. Jason Campbell 163 840 5.2 29 3 5. Donovan McNabb 166 816 4.9 40 7
Breaking down Vince Vince
Young's won-loss record when breaking him down by the following categories: Category 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Total Starts at quarterback 2-2 8-2 1-0 9-6 8-5 28-15 300 or more yards passing 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 1-1 One or more TD passes 2-1 6-1 1-0 3-3 6-3 18-8 Two or more TD passes 1-0 1-1 0-0 3-0 3-0 8-1 Three or more TD passes 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 Passes, runs for one TD 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 3-0 3-1 Passes for two TDs, runs for one 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 2-0 Runs for at least one TD 0-0 1-1 0-0 2-1 4-3 7-5 Starts, throws no interceptions 2-1 5-0 0-0 3-1 6-0 16-2 Passer rating of 90.0 or greater 2-1 6-0 0-0 4-1 2-0 14-2 Passer rating of 100.0 or greater 2-0 3-0 0-0 2-0 2-0 9-0
Young's career passing stats
Year GP GS Att Cmp Pct Yds TD Int 2006 15 13 357 184 51.5 2,199 12 13 2007 15 15 382 238 62.3 2,546 9 17 2008 3 1 36 22 61.1 219 1 2 2009 12 10 259 152 58.7 1,879 7 7 2010 4 4 71 47 66.2 511 4 2 Totals 49 43 1,105 643 58.2 7,354 33 41
