Vince Young suffered his second meltdown at LP Field today. I could tell the fans were in a pissy mood; early in the first quarter I heard the scattered first boos. On the 3rd play from scrimmage, VY fumbled away what should have been a go-ahead score: the 'Skins had kicked a short, wobbly kick that didn't cross midfield, the Titans had excellent field position, then Vince with the fumble, and the entry-level boos.
By the second quarter, the boos were more noticeable. I heard some (drunken ?) fans calling out, 'Hurt yourself Vince! Hurt yourself!' VY, not a person immune to crowd reaction, waved to the crowd for more.
It was the end of the 3rd when VY left the game, with a thumb injury (a flexor tendon that might've ended his season in it's own right, had it not been for events following). Rusty Smith came in to cheers, tossed a long pass for a TD that was ruled not a TD because of a 'push-off' penalty. The next series, he threw a long, loopy pass that was an interception. VY could've gone back in, but Fisher didn't ask him to because...he didn't ask Fisher to go back. His thumb injury probably precluded that anyway.
Some photos...
Vince Young throwing shakily on the sideline after his thumb injury
Vince Young gets attention to his injured right hand. Rusty Smith and Kerry Collins look on.
Rusty Smith in pregame warmups
Rusty Smith in 4th Quarter action
Oh, and consummate pro Donovan McNabb makes Mike Shanahan happy.
After the game was over, VY, taunted by some fans, removed his jersey, helmet and pads and tossed them into the stands. He entered the locker room, argued with Jeff Fisher, and left without speaking to the Press. Michael Griffin ran after him (in his shorts) and was reportedly shoved aside.
Jeff Fisher spoke after the game (video and photos after the fold). He was very upset, more so than I've ever heard. From of his postgame interview (not included in this excerpted video), he promised that heads will roll. Who knows? His head may roll. Vince Young is the favorite of owner Bud Adams, who overrode Fish twice to have him reinstated as starting QB. I can hear Jerry Jones praying "please, let it be so, let Jeff Fisher go!" from here.
Fans line up to pass security. There was no TSA-style junk-fondling going on here.
Cheerleaders! Front view
Cheerleaders! Back view
A street musician performs (Taps?) after the game...
Next weekend, Houston, away. Then Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Houston again, here; finishing the season with Kansas City and Indy away. Without a proper starting QB (Chris Simms, you still hanging around?), we are facing the heart of our season: 5 of the final 6 games are inter-divisional rivals. We have to play The Forehead twice.
One thing's certain: Vince Young is done here. I don't see how even Bud Adams can put up with this level of immaturity. Hell, even Houston probably doesn't want him now, and to spite Houston is the reason Bud Adams drafted VY in the first place. He's up for re-signing next year (if we have a next year); likely that won't happen. We'll have to draft a QB, likely somewhere in the middle of the pile in the first round.
My prediction? Jeff Fisher's Titans will finish 8 - 8. We are 5 - 5 right now. Probably two losses to Indianapolis, a split with Houston, we should spank Jacksonville and Kansas. Maybe. 8 - 8. That's a comfortable number for Fish, year after year.
