Vince Young knows exactly what Cam Ward is going through as a top young pick and franchise quarterback of the Tennessee Titans.
The college football legend entered Tennessee fresh of the heels of winning the national championship with the University of Texas over the back-to-back national champion USC Trojans during his final college season. Young entered the NFL with much hype and acclaim as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, succeeding Titans legend and former MVP Steve McNair as the starting quarterback.
Although Young’s NFL career only lasted six seasons, he lived up to the hype at first, winning Rookie of the Year in 2006 while earning a Pro Bowl bid. He also led the Titans to a playoff appearance in his second season and clinched a second Pro Bowl berth during the 2009 season.
Young inherited a 4-12 team from the previous year and turned things around immediately with the Titans going 8-8 and 8-5 with him as the starting quarterback in his rookie year. Ward inherited a 3-14 squad and the Titans once again went 3-14 during Ward’s rookie year.
The 43-year-old former NFL quarterback gave his honest thoughts on Ward, saying that he believes he’s the right quarterback to lead the Titans as they continue to grow as a team.
“That young man is doing everything he’s supposed to do right now,” said Young in a one-on-one interview of Ward. “I’m just happy they got some people around him. I really feel like he went through the situation Caleb (Williams) went through in Chicago. He didn’t have anybody to throw the ball to, and he was just running for his life. I really feel like the Titans organization has done that. Put some good receivers around him, good running backs, better offensive line. Now he gets to be more comfortable in the offense that he’s in. That’s always tough to do as well when you come into a situation and then your offensive coordinator leaves, and all that type of stuff.”
Cam Ward Struggled Drastically in Rookie Season with Lackluster Supporting Cast
Ward was coming off of a sensational final season in college with the Miami Hurricanes, finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist while throwing 39 touchdowns against seven interceptions for 4,313 passing yards. He set a college touchdown record with 158 total touchdowns, with 71 of those happening against FCS opponents and 87 against FBS opponents.
However, his rookie year was a real struggle. Ward didn’t have a great supporting cast, with a lackluster offensive line and an underwhelming group of receivers. Ward was sacked 55 times last season, tied for the most in the NFL. His leading receiver was tight end Chig Okonkwo with 56 catches for 560 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Ward finished with just 15 touchdown passes for an 80.2 passer rating during his rookie season.
The Titans have upgraded a bit at the wide receiver position, selecting former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Carnell Tate with a top pick while signing Wan’Dale Robinson to a big deal after he turned in a 1,000-yard season.
Robert Saleh is stepping in as head coach, which represents a fresh start for the Titans. Young mentions that Ward has all the “intangibles” to be a great starting quarterback in the NFL.
“He’s winning over the team,” said Young of Ward. “The guys speak really highly of him, the organization as well, and even the city, Nashville. That’s all a plus. When you have that, now you can just go focus on being a quarterback. He has all the intangibles, he has the arm strength, he has it all to be successful. Now you got to just bring it all together with his teammates and get that chemistry and go on this little run because he definitely is a winner.”
Vince Young on New Netflix Documentary Detailing His Football Career
Young’s new documentary on Netflix — through the Untold series — documents his ups and downs during his college career with the Texas Longhorns and his NFL career with the Titans. The documentary will premiere on August 25.
It’s the first time that Young has given an in-depth look with interviews and commentary on his career and why he struggled to find footing in the NFL despite early success. Young went 31-19 as a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he played his final game at the age of 28.
Young, who is now a father and has been outspoken on how therapy has helped him grow as a man after a DWI arrest years prior, detailed why now is the perfect time to do this.
“I’ve been one of those guys who’s kind of been rebuilding my brand from all the stuff that I’ve been through in my life and just cleaning up a lot of mess,” Young said. “It just wasn’t time when everybody else wanted me to do it, so I kind of just prayed on it and kind of been waiting when it’s that time. My team reached out and tried to see how we can get this done and for Netflix to give us an opportunity. I thought it was pretty cool, and to give my testimony in my own words, it’s a great opportunity for not only for me and my family, but the next young man and young lady out there in the world that may be going through something that’s similar to what I went through in my career and where I’m at today.
“Hopefully, the story is not only people looking at it as a sports part of it,” Young continued. “I want them to understand the message. It’s just something that is what I’m all about is family and my accountability — taking accountability from my mistakes and things that I did wrong when I was a young man at the time. I’m grateful that Netflix is giving me the opportunity to tell my testimony.”
Former Titans Star QB Sends Message After Cam Ward’s Rookie Struggles