The Tennessee Titans: Not a "Young" Team Yet!

Fact: The Titans head coach is a tenured, vetted, proven, determined, and successful head coach who has been baptized by fire since taking the reigns as head coach of the Titans. Jeff Fisher was a great player for a great Chicago Bears team and has methodically, intentionally, and somewhat quietly, become one of the great coaches in the NFL today. Coach Fisher is also the best thing that could have happened for Vince Young. You can bet VY would not be with the Titans if Jeff Fisher had not wanted him there when they drafted him. Fortunately, Jeff Fisher was in Vince's corner last year when Vince suffered his melt down and was benched in favor of Kerry Collins. Was it a fluke that Kerry was at the right place at the right time? Oh contraire, Monfrare!

The Titans successful record is the result of a completely calculated and coordinated effort that starts at the top with owner Bud Adams. He has assembled a front office that works well together and works well with their head coach who works well with his assistant coaches and their players. The Titans have assembled a group of players that have bought into what their head coach is selling; discipline, dedication and determination. Year in and year out, with different players in key positions, the Titans produce wins at critical times and are as respected as any team in the NFL. They can (and have) beat any team on any given day. The best example of a good team is one that can play with consistency in the face of adversity. When a key player goes down, there is no panic. Their coaching and their depth simply kicks in. Their mouths stay shut (at least no one goes crying to the press), and their minds stay focused on the task at hand. Every player does what they are supposed to do and trusts their team mates and their coaches to do the same.

Last year when Vince was benched and Kerry took over as QB1 for the Titans the Titans organization and the players saw to it that it would not be a huge distraction. Kerry was ready when called upon, which was by design. You heard very little, if any, negative banter coming from the Titans players, their coaches or their front office concerning VY's benching or the circumstances that led up to it. Vince was never heard in the press ranting and raving about what a bad decision it was replacing him. Jeff Fisher also took the high road and wouldn't get caught up with "the story of Vince's demise" or how Kerry is the better QB so he is getting the nod. The players, whenever interviewed, also showed class concerning Collins, Fisher and Young. The Titans organization understands the basic philosophy of any team competition. You lose as a team, you win as a team, you hurt over tough decisions that have to be made but as a team, you persevere and get the job done.

Make no mistake about it; Vince Young will be the starting QB for the Tennessee Titans, when he is ready and that could well be this year. Jeff Fisher did not make a mistake when he selected Vince as his QB to lead the Titans. The good news for the Titans is that Kerry Collins is the consummate NFL quarterback who can step in and lead when called upon and at the present time, he is that leader. However, look for this to be VY's team in the very near future and no one will be more proud of him than Kerry Collins will when that does happen. By no means will Kerry simply hand the job over to Vince, but if and when Kerry is beat out as the quarterback for the Titans, he knows it will be by one of the future greats in professional football, Vince Young. If you are one of the ones who has counted Vince out, shame on you.