Merril Hoge Doesn't Want You to Forget: Vince Young Is Not Very Good

Merril Hoge hasn't exactly been reserved in his criticism of Titans quarterback Vince Young. Basically, he thinks Tennessee drafted the wrong guy in 2006, and now the organization is having to deal with the repercussions.

Young had a solid rookie campaign, assuming the starting job midway through the season, and guiding the Titans to an 8-8 record. In 2007, though, Young tossed 17 picks and only nine touchdowns, and struggled with consistency when he wasn't battling injuries. And now that offensive coordinator Norm Chow has been canned, Hoge takes again takes aim at Young:

"What they've done is the first indicator of what happens when you make a mistake with the quarterback you drafted in the first round and he starts to erode your organization,'' Hoge said. "Norm Chow was not the problem. He did what his quarterback was capable of doing, which is not very much. And it is much easier to fire the offensive coordinator than to get rid of your quarterback.

"If it's your quarterback you're saying 'We made a mistake.' Now you get rid of the offensive coordinator and say the reason he is not playing well is because of him. What you're doing is buying yourself another year and you avoid the public relations hit of actually fessing up and admitting 'We screwed up.'"

We'll find out shortly, I guess. Head coach Jeff Fisher is bring Mike Heimerdinger back after three years with the Jets and Broncos. Heimerdinger was the Titans' offensive coordinator from 2000-2004, and led some pretty potent offenses. Of course, Steve McNair was in his prime and Young is still trying to find himself. That's kind of a big difference. But you already know that thanks to Merril Hoge.

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