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.
To Read More: Click Here
Via: ESPN.com
