Post by Terd Ferguson on Jan 5, 2011 18:48:27 GMT -6
because he is no longer one of them.
sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5993142
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee 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 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.
Adams also said in his statement that he informed Fisher he still is evaluating the coaching staff.
"I am hoping to make a decision soon," Adams said.
Fisher could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
He is the NFL's longest-tenured coach with his current team, having just finished his 16th full season and coached his 273rd game with the Titans. Tennessee started this season with high expectations and was atop the AFC South at 5-2 before losing eight of the final nine games to finish 6-10.
Fisher said during his weekly radio show Tuesday night that talks with the team were ongoing. His job status has been in question since the Titans lost eight of their final nine games for a 6-10 record, but the NFL's uncertain labor situation could keep him around.
"We didn't anticipate coming to any decisions or conclusions or solutions, if you will, today," Fisher said at the start of his show. "Talks have been ongoing. As I said yesterday, it's a process. It's a complicated process, and there's a lot of moving parts. We're all trusting that collectively we'll arrive at the best decision."
Fisher is under contract for 2011 at an estimated $6.5 million.
sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5993142
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee 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 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.
Adams also said in his statement that he informed Fisher he still is evaluating the coaching staff.
"I am hoping to make a decision soon," Adams said.
Fisher could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
He is the NFL's longest-tenured coach with his current team, having just finished his 16th full season and coached his 273rd game with the Titans. Tennessee started this season with high expectations and was atop the AFC South at 5-2 before losing eight of the final nine games to finish 6-10.
Fisher said during his weekly radio show Tuesday night that talks with the team were ongoing. His job status has been in question since the Titans lost eight of their final nine games for a 6-10 record, but the NFL's uncertain labor situation could keep him around.
"We didn't anticipate coming to any decisions or conclusions or solutions, if you will, today," Fisher said at the start of his show. "Talks have been ongoing. As I said yesterday, it's a process. It's a complicated process, and there's a lot of moving parts. We're all trusting that collectively we'll arrive at the best decision."
Fisher is under contract for 2011 at an estimated $6.5 million.
