jerek
Pro Hobbyist
Old article, see link below. Originally posted 10/22/05. It is always funny to read old writing, and even though the writer is surely eating heaping plate upon plate of crow over some of this piece, I decided to go ahead and present it in its entirety because it makes still valuable points about the question of Vince Young being "NFL ready."
A good article, though I am certain you will question my "prejudice." Read and discuss.
That said, Vince proved this guy wrong. Can he prove others?
http://multiplementality.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2005/10/22/506/
Fast forward to 3/14/2006. I have read this time and time again on this board, and I still believe that you are completely missing the point. "NFL-ready" is obviously subjective: that is why a number of analysts are, as of today, projecting Young as a possible rookie starter, while significantly more of them still assert that he will not readily be able to translate his game to the pros, or will require a year or two of backup role and practice to polish the rough spots in his game. Nobody outside of Austin or this board cares how many times Mack Brown insists to the contary.
As far as "not NFL ready" being an "insult," well, I hardly think that is true. Most starting NFL QB's either benefit from sitting the bench or getting limited reps throughout the first few years of their careers, or they struggle to graduate from that "school of hard knocks" before they really get things figured out. Carr certainly has been through this program as a rookie starter on an expansion team, and whether or not he has really even graduated yet remains to be seen.
If anyone perceives it as an insult, it is only the Vince Young fan club, most of whom, judging by their many words on this board, still emphatically believe that this guy can literally do no wrong and that everything he touches will turn to gold.
Whether or not he is "NFL ready" depends on your definition of the term. Nobody can seriously deny his potential, but there is a substantial difference between Peyton Manning coming out of Tennessee and Vince Young coming out of Texas. You delude yourself if you think otherwise.
Thoughts?
EDIT: I did *not* say this guy is right about everything. Clearly, hindsight provides some clarity that his foresight did not, but I think he was wrong even then on a few of his statements. As I said, I presented the entire thing unmodified, both because it serves as an interesting history lesson and because it contains a solid case for why it is difficult to go from the very stripped down Texas offense to an NFL "pro" offense.
A good article, though I am certain you will question my "prejudice." Read and discuss.
That said, Vince proved this guy wrong. Can he prove others?
Now I realize there is always a learning curve for rookie quarterbacks in the NFL. Very few guys step in from day 1 and are successful. The only names that come to mind that fit that mold are named Marino and Roethlisberger. There is a lot of NFL highway littered with the failed careers of guys far more accomplished as college quarterbacks than Vince Young. And those are guys who DID play under center, and DID perform at a very high level against teams tougher and mightier than Baylor and Kansas and STILL didnt get it done in the pros.
Is it possible that some team will still take a chance and draft Vince as a Quarterback instead of as a receiver, or running back or defensive back? Sure. It happens every year, most recently by the Atlanta Falcons with Michael Vick. But lets be clear, Young is not as good as Michael Vick was in college, and as a pro, Vicks jury is still out. Yes he wins, but he wins with his team and his legs not with his quarterbacking skills. Hes in year five and still struggles with passing concepts and principles of reading defenses. Vince Young will start even further behind Vick in his educational process to be a pro quarterback.
So to all the NFL General Managers out there looking for the next big name to helm your franchise let me offer these words of advice on Vince Young, scout him carefully for ALL potential positions and then make your decision. He might make a fantastic receiver or running back or defensive back. And if you select him as your quarterback, let the buyer beware.
http://multiplementality.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2005/10/22/506/
Huge said:Point is, NO QB is "NFL ready" coming out of college. I don't care if Peyton Manning had spent 7 years at Tennessee...he wasn't going to be "NFL ready" coming out of college.
So for somebody to state that he's going to warm the bench for two years before he's ready and think it's coming across as an insult is pretty weak.
Fast forward to 3/14/2006. I have read this time and time again on this board, and I still believe that you are completely missing the point. "NFL-ready" is obviously subjective: that is why a number of analysts are, as of today, projecting Young as a possible rookie starter, while significantly more of them still assert that he will not readily be able to translate his game to the pros, or will require a year or two of backup role and practice to polish the rough spots in his game. Nobody outside of Austin or this board cares how many times Mack Brown insists to the contary.
As far as "not NFL ready" being an "insult," well, I hardly think that is true. Most starting NFL QB's either benefit from sitting the bench or getting limited reps throughout the first few years of their careers, or they struggle to graduate from that "school of hard knocks" before they really get things figured out. Carr certainly has been through this program as a rookie starter on an expansion team, and whether or not he has really even graduated yet remains to be seen.
If anyone perceives it as an insult, it is only the Vince Young fan club, most of whom, judging by their many words on this board, still emphatically believe that this guy can literally do no wrong and that everything he touches will turn to gold.
Whether or not he is "NFL ready" depends on your definition of the term. Nobody can seriously deny his potential, but there is a substantial difference between Peyton Manning coming out of Tennessee and Vince Young coming out of Texas. You delude yourself if you think otherwise.
Thoughts?
EDIT: I did *not* say this guy is right about everything. Clearly, hindsight provides some clarity that his foresight did not, but I think he was wrong even then on a few of his statements. As I said, I presented the entire thing unmodified, both because it serves as an interesting history lesson and because it contains a solid case for why it is difficult to go from the very stripped down Texas offense to an NFL "pro" offense.