Rookie of the Year: Vince Young, 2006

Quarterback, Tennessee Titans

Age:  23

College: Texas

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 233

Prelude:

Effective both as a passer and runner in college, Young was a consensus first-team All-American in 2005 and capped his career at Texas with an upset win for the national championship over USC in the Rose Bowl in which he passed for 267 yards, ran for 200, and scored three TDs in a MVP performance. He was chosen by the Titans in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft (third overall) despite concerns that he was more effective running the ball than passing due to an unorthodox sidearm delivery that caused difficulties with his mechanics. Still, he took over as starting quarterback after three games and displayed great playmaking ability.   

2006 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

(Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20)

Passing

Attempts – 357

Most attempts, game – 36 at Jacksonville 11/5, vs. New England 12/31

Completions – 184

Most completions, game – 24 vs. NY Giants 11/26

Yards – 2199

Most yards, game – 249 vs. NY Giants 11/26

Completion percentage – 51.5

Yards per attempt – 6.2

TD passes – 12

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. NY Giants 11/26, vs. Indianapolis 12/3, at Buffalo 12/24

Interceptions – 13 (13, tied with five others)

Most interceptions, game – 3 at Jacksonville 11/5

Passer rating – 66.7

200-yard passing games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 83

Most attempts, game - 10 (for 69 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/26

Yards – 552

Most yards, game – 86 yards (on 7 carries) at Houston 12/10

Yards per attempt – 6.7

TDs – 7 (14, tied with five others)

Scoring

TDs – 7

2-point PAT – 1

Points – 44

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

Pro Bowl

Titans went 8-8 to finish second in the AFC South.

Aftermath:

Young’s career took a decidedly up-and-down trajectory, starting with a disappointing season in 2007. While his completion percentage improved to 62.3, he threw nearly twice as many interceptions (17) as touchdowns (9), and was not as effective running the ball due to a quadriceps injury. He was benched in favor of Kerry Collins after being injured in the first game of the ’08 season but, when the team got off to a 0-6 start in 2009, Young was reinserted into the starting lineup. The Titans went 8-2 in his starts and he was named to the Pro Bowl for a second time. But a tirade following a thumb injury 11 games into the 2010 season effectively ended Young’s career in Tennessee. He was released and signed with Philadelphia for 2011, backing up Michael Vick and starting three games. Young failed to catch on in trials with other teams and announced his retirement in 2014. Overall, he passed for 8964 yards and 46 touchdowns, giving up 51 interceptions, and rushed for 1459 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry with 12 TDs. While Young showed flashes of potential, he failed to develop into a franchise quarterback.   

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).