Before Jeff Fisher became head coach of the Houston Oilers back in 1994, he spent a few years in Philadelphia as the defensive-backs coach and then defensive coordinator. Now the team that became the Tennessee Titans has pushed him out after 14 years.  Read More:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans owner Bud Adams says it’s time to let Vince Young go and for the franchise to find its next quarterback.

The Titans released a statement Wednesday night in which Adams said Young won’t be on the team’s roster next season, but he’s still evaluating the coaching staff.

“We have two critical decisions to make, the direction of the coaching staff and the future at the quarterback position. They are separate issues to me and will be dealt with separately,” Adams said.

Adams is the owner who wanted Young drafted No. 3 overall out of Texas in 2006 and said on draft day that “VY is my guy.” But with his general manager and senior executive vice president traveling to Houston to meet with Adams on Monday, the 88-year-old owner decided Young no longer is the quarterback for his franchise.

Young is 30-17 in his five NFL seasons, but only 13-14 against teams finishing a season at .500 or better. He’s also battled questions over his work ethic, leadership and injuries. He suffered a season-ending thumb injury on his right hand Nov. 21, tossed his shoulder pads into the stands and told off coach Jeff Fisher in front of the locker room before storming out.

The 27-year-old quarterback told The Tennessean that he was a little bitter but thanked Adams and Fisher for giving him a chance to win the Super Bowl. He also said he had nothing against Fisher, though he never felt like the coach trusted him or that he was his guy.

“Everything was my fault. But that’s over now. I wish coach Fisher and Bud Adams and all my coaches and teammates best,” Young said.

The quarterback is due a roster bonus of $4.25 million in March and an $8.5 million salary for 2011.

Adams said he informed general manager Mike Reinfeldt to start identifying the team’s next quarterback and thanked Young for his contributions to the team.

“These kinds of decisions are never easy and this is especially true for this particular player. I certainly wish that things would have worked out better, but I think it is best for the franchise that we move on at this point,” Adams said.

Reinfeldt informed agent Tom Condon that Young isn’t in the team’s plans for the future. League rules keep Young from being released until Feb. 7, and he cannot be traded until the first day of the league year — an uncertain date because of the labor unrest. Reinfeldt says Young is welcome to rehab his season-ending thumb injury at the team facility.

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Via: ESPN.com

Bad football is not a victimless crime.  It can be emotionally distressful for a populace — fans and non-fans alike – to be associated with a team like the Texans, who have gone from bottom-of-the-league laughingstock to, well, middle-of-the-league laughingstock.  Read More:

*Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young texted coach Jeff Fisher an apology Tuesday for his actions and words after a chain of events that culminated with him walking out on the team.

Fisher confirmed for reporters Wednesday that he received the text but that he would have preferred a face-to-face discussion with Young.

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“I wouldn’t say it’s about me,” quarterback Vince Young said after Tennessee’s 20-17 road victory over Houston. “It’s not about Vince.”

Come on. It’s all about Vince when it comes to the Tennessee Titans.

With all due respect to NFL rushing leader Chris Johnson, Tennessee assuredly isn’t riding a four-game winning streak without Young being reinserted into the starting lineup last month at the insistence of team owner Bud Adams. And the Titans definitely aren’t upsetting a division rival Monday night without Young excelling with both his arm and legs.

Young keyed the game-winning drive with a 12-yard third-down scramble and short completion to Kenny Britt that set up Rob Bironas’ 53-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining. After Houston kicker Kris Brown missed a 49-yard field goal with one second left, Young was so excited that he forgot to remove his Titans baseball cap when taking the field for the final snap.

“I don’t think there’s been a conversation I’ve had with Vince where the word ‘Houston’ hasn’t come out of his mouth,” said Titans tight end Alge Crumpler, referring to Young’s hometown. “This is a special place for Vince Young.”

In some ways, Young has even more reason to celebrate than when he scrambled 39 yards for an overtime touchdown to defeat Houston as a rookie in 2006.

He’s a better quarterback since losing his starting job to Kerry Collins in Week 2 of last season and finally getting it back. He’s a better teammate since receiving what Crumpler described as a dose of humility. And he has a brighter NFL future after it appeared Young had none with the Titans.

Young is again proving the dual threat that helped make him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft. Although he lost a fumble, Young didn’t throw an interception against Houston in an efficient 12-of-22, 116-yard performance. Young added 73 more yards on 11 carries to complement Johnson’s 151-yard rushing effort.

“I’m excited for him with all he endured over the past year hearing, ‘He can’t do this. He can’t do that,’” Titans tight end Bo Scaife said. “He’s being humble and modest about it. He’s showing everything on the field now.”

Young began showcasing his tools Monday during Tennessee’s third series. Young threw sharp passes and used his feet, including an option that netted a 17-yard gain by Johnson after the pitch.

And then there was the play that combined both those skills. On third-and-3 from the Houston 13-yard line, Young rolled to his right looking to connect with a covered Johnson in the flat. In the past, Young might have immediately run up-field or forced a throw to Johnson. Young, though, went to his second read and flicked a touchdown to Britt that tied the score at 7-7.

This is the type of progress that excites Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.

“He’s protecting the ball and making pretty good decisions,” Heimerdinger told FOXSports.com last week in a telephone interview. “The best thing he’s done is go through his progressions. If there’s nothing there, he’ll pull it down and run with no indecision. That’s what makes Vince Vince.”

But trying to figure out what makes Vince tick was a frustrating process for the Titans. He failed to progress after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2006. Young then hit bottom in the 2008 season opener. He balked at re-entering the game when booed by the home crowd and acted so erratically the next day that Titans officials called police because of concerns Young was suicidal.

Young was benched in favor of Collins and spent the rest of the year sulking. Collins might still be under center if Adams hadn’t demanded that Young play after Tennessee’s 0-6 start this year.

Owner meddling is usually a recipe for disaster — just look at the Washington Redskins — but Young is proving that Adams made the right call. Young’s completion percentage has improved significantly and turnover total dropped compared to his career averages. This is the result of an improved work ethic that has allowed Young to regain the trust of teammates and coaches.

Young also matured off the field. The subject of embarrassing 2008 internet photos showing him partying shirtless with his buddies at a bar, Young has said he changed the crowd he associates with away from football.

“I see a different guy than last year,” Heimerdinger said. “His approach is much different. He’s really working hard.

“Older guys stay in the league because they prepare. Younger guys sometimes don’t because they don’t prepare. They think talent is going to get them through forever.”

Young, 26, said he learned from watching Collins and asking plenty of questions. He also benefited from the tutoring of quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson, who continued to work with Young while Heimerdinger and Fisher focused on Collins as their starter.

“I’m just taking what the defense gives,” Young said. “If it’s there [in the passing game], take advantage of it. If it’s not, give the ball to the guys underneath or use my legs to make a play. It’s all about being patient.”

Tennessee now seems certain to give Young nearly $12 million in roster bonus and base salary for the 2010 season. But even with a 4-6 record, the Titans aren’t ready to look ahead toward next year quite yet. After Monday’s game, Tennessee players continued to talk about stringing together a 10-game winning streak to reach the playoffs.

Unlikely? Sure. But if No. 10 continues to play like a Perfect Ten, Tennessee has a shot. That’s more than what could be said about the Titans — and Young himself — not so long ago.

Via: Fox Sports