Texas QB Vince Young to enter NFL draft

Houston Chronicle ^ | 1/8/06 | JOSEPH DUARTE

[jimbo123]

Texas junior quarterback Vince Young plans to enter the NFL draft and forgo his final year of college, a close family friend said today. Young plans to make the announcement this afternoon at a press conference in Austin.

"He has the blessing of God, the pastor and his family," said Yolanda Lezine, Young's godmother and the family media's spokeswoman. "It's his decision. Everybody is going to support him a 110 percent."

Young capped off his career Wednesday night, rallying the Longhorns from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat two-time defending national champion Southern California, 41-38, in the Rose Bowl.

The Madison product will hire Bus Cook as his agent. Cook is also the agent for Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, Young's mentor, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

According to Chris Mortenson on ESPN, the Texans are going to pick up the option on David Carr for $8 million, and then pick Reggie Bush with the number one pick.

Vince runs the risk of going to New Orleans, unless the Titans make a deal to move up to the #2 pick.

[Tall_Texan]

I could see Vince with the Texans (hometown), Saints (Tom Benson wants to move to San Antonio - what better draw than VY?) or Titans (Steve McNair is his mentor and Young is going with McNair's agent).

I know the Texans are talking Bush but I'm not sure they are willing to risk the fallout if they pass on Young and he turns into a star.

[Flightdeck]

"The NFL coaches will mess with his mechanics, something that didn't work while he was a Texas. "

Actually, they messed with his mechanics a little bit and he threw a heck of a lot better this year. He still has that wrist-flippy thing that makes me cringe, though.

[JeffAtlanta]

Lets be realistic for a moment. At the salaries these guys are getting, what more can they get with the additional money that he would have (or might have) gotten?

The problem is the chance of injury. In other sports it is not as much of a problem, but in football injuries are commonplace. Lienart was fortunate that he made it through the season unscathed but it was still a huge risk.

Kelly Washington come to mind. He was fortunate to make it back but staying an extra year at Tennessee cost Kelly Washington millions.

I'm sure that most have insurance but it's nothing like what they would be paid with an NFL career.

NFL careers are really short, even for first round picks. I would imagine that the average career for a first round QB is not more than 6 or 7 years.

There is no guarantee that Leinart any first round QB will make it more than 3 or 4 years in the league. With that risk, it is very wise to make as much money as you can in the first contract as it will all that you will ever make your entire life in football.

[commish]

there isn't anyone returning anything stronger (this is all perception, which makes up the 1st polls of the year) on offense than the Buckeyes, except ND, but since OSU beat the crap out of ND, they won't be above OSU.

I would agree with you if that was Miami, georgia, FSU, Va Tech, etc etc etc etc that OSU had beaten. BUT we are talking Notre Dame here, media darling of the world... plus you have thousands of sportswriters all fighting to have Charlie Wies' love child. If there is any way for them to Rank Notre Dame #1 they will -- Fiesta Bowl result or not.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Allegra,

While Bush is the best running back around, it is the only position Houston has decent players. Not great but OK. I suspect Houston would have traded down for three or four extra spots in the first two rounds.

With Young however they may just keep him. Long term it will be interesting to see which would have been better, Young or several extra early picks.

[MikefromOhio]

wrong.

they stopped messing with him.

At least, that is what Mack Brown has been saying all year long. YOu may want to take it up with him.

[MikefromOhio]

won't happen.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I do think the perception of ND being invincible was blown away by that Fiesta Bowl.

OSU will open at #1.

[Flightdeck]

"they were ranked 14 preseason this year even though everyone in Ohio was talking national championship"

By what poll? The majors had OSu in the top 5. It was only the second week of the season when Texas played OSU and it was #2 vs. #4.

[MarkeyD]

Don't forget Cabe McNown.

[Flightdeck]

"I like defense over offense"

That's why Texas is #1 and USC is #2. (Not that we had a bad offense, either).

[Flightdeck]

"ESPN agrees with you - they (Pat Forde) have OSU ranked at #2 but that was before Vince Young announced that he was leaving so..."

ESPN also had a column on their page predicting Young would leave, so it might well have been taken into account.

[Flightdeck]

"Why would he give up a guaranteed $3+ million next year for a diploma in sports training, or whatever his degree is in."

He might actually get the diploma anyway. He was red-shrited so next year would be his fifth. That said, I have no idea how many credits he needs.

[Flightdeck]

"wrong.

they stopped messing with him."

No, I've been to practices, games, and followed every second of the past three years. Vince was worked on successfully. As for your Buckeyes, the entire city of Austin vowed not to treat visiting OSU fans how we were treated in Columbus. F$%^ing meatheads up there smashing beer bottles on our heads, grabbing our (much more beautiful) women and starting fights because they lost. Ohio State fans have one of the most ignominious and well-deserved reputations for poor sportsmanship in the country.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

If the Texans don't pick VY with the 1 pick, the Saints will at number 2. He won't be on the board very long.

[JeffAtlanta]

ESPN also had a column on their page predicting Young would leave, so it might well have been taken into account.

ESPN having Texas #1 was assuming that Vince Young was staying. Here is the commentary from the article...

1. Texas Longhorns
Why: The monkey is off their back and lies dead at the Longhorns' feet. They know how to win championships -- and if Vince Young comes back to join his deep cast of skill-position support, they'll win another one.

Why not: Four major losses on defense, and there's no guarantee that the perfect chemistry from this year will carry over.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Why: Did you see Troy Smith, Ted Ginn and Antonio Pittman carve up Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl?

Why not: The Buckeyes lose all three members of a great linebacking crew, plus two key offensive linemen. And they have to play in Austin next fall.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

I think that for the first time in recent memory backs and QB's will go in the first 4 picks with LenDale White being # and maybe the best of the whole lot.

[MikefromOhio]

whatever you say.

I have the Rose Bowl interviews TIVO'd. Mack CLEARLY states that he said he stopped tinkering with VY and just "let him play".

And as for your treatment at Columbus, sorry about that, but believe me, Austin will do the same.

WElcome to the Big Ten. Everyone's fans treats everyone else's fans like dirt. You are the enemy when you come into another city.

[Cat loving Texan]

As a Longhorn fan, I hate to see him go, but he left with class. I have never seen anyone go to the NFL early with more. He appears to have the blessing of Mac Brown. I wish him well.

[Cvengr]

What's happened to innovative sports title editing? Sports writers could create some of the most imaginative hyperboles in their succinct titles by ornate English grammar.

In this story we have a popular QB known for passing and rushing yardage. Various verbs are available to alliterate.

Young sails into NFL draft.