Tennessee Titans Morning Links: How To Fail PR 101 Edition (Updated To Increase Positivity)

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 9:12 AM CDT in Linkage

Jeff Fisher says Vince will have to earn his starting position back by doing more than just getting healthy.

It might be a while before Vince Young is able to escape the deafening buzz that surrounds him, but on Wednesday the injured Titans quarterback returned to his safe haven.

A stiff-legged Young limped onto the practice field at Baptist Sports Park and watched his teammates prepare for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Young won't be playing because of a left knee injury he suffered in the season opener.

Coach Jeff Fisher said when Young is healthy he's going to have to show he's made progress on all fronts before resuming his duties as the starter. And that could be a while.

"He has some work to do. Obviously he has some work to do,'' Fisher said. "He has to put some things back in perspective, and first and foremost he has to get healthy.''

Finally earning his keep at the Tennessean, Gary Estwick asks a great question: Why has there been no press conference or media appearance by Young to qwell some of the public panic surrounding the last 72 hours? Get in front of the story and own it; that's PR 101, my friends.

Paul Kuharsky hopes Young will lean on another QB who struggled with the pressures of the NFL as a young, high draft pick: Kerry Collins.

So what's the over/under on how long it is before Paul Kuharsky is doing PTI and Around the Horn?

Is Peter King an idiot or does he really dislike the Titans? I vote both. I mean, the Steelers beat the Texans and their D is 'scary', while the Titans put up the 2nd best defensive performance in the league against the media-darling Jags and we're chopped liver? I'm surprised PK could see the Steelers game from Brett Favre's lap (link contains some salty language).

(Full disclosure: I can't stand PK's columns anymore. Sorry if he's your favorite... well, not really sorry, but I still like you! We can just agree to disagree on this one. - AW)

Anybody else salivating at the chance to see Cortland Finnegan ruin Ocho Cinco's weekend?

MORE ADVICE: Ocho Cinco also had some advice for Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, whose game he said he respects greatly.

"[He should] open his mouth, just one time. Just say, ‘I’m going to shutdown whoever,’" Johnson said "Just say it. Out of a 16-week schedule, he can probably lock down everybody he plays. Seriously. I’m going off of what I see on film and he’s above average as a corner."

The Titans signed Preston Parsons, the pride of Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks, to the practice squad.

Another good reason to build your own Hall of Fame: inducting yourself!

Updated Link:

Titans players across the board are supporting Vince Young. Let's not get confused about the past few days' activities and chatter: everyone who loves this team and who has enjoyed his work wants VY to get better soon and get the help he seems to need. If he can get back on the horse and his head is in the right place we all know what he can do on the field, and we're a better team when he's out there being Vincsanity!

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Sorry for the delay in getting this up but SB's posting system flushed my first 2 attempts into the internet's Port-A-Potty

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 9:14 AM CDT 0 recs

Loved It

Seeing as I’m not one of Brett’s fanboys, I loved that. I would mention PK’s orientation to Brett Favre’s lap, but that would take it past PG-13.

by Rustmeister on Sep 11, 2008 9:35 AM CDT 0 recs

Ocho...

is playing this one well. He is hyping up Finnegan, so if Ocho has a good game, then he did so against a great corner. If he has a bad game, then he was shut down by a great corner. Quite a change from his checklist of years past.

by TNTitan89 on Sep 11, 2008 9:46 AM CDT 0 recs

OCHO

finally did it right

Hell, no! A tie is like kissing your sister!

by comer4tide on Sep 11, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

C'mon now...

From the Wednesday practice report:

(On if he has the mindset that when Vince Young comes back, the quarterback job is his to reclaim)

Yeah, but he’s got some work to do, obviously. He has to put some things back in perspective and first and foremost has to get healthy.

All I hear from Fisher above is coach talk. I’m not going to pretend to know what Fisher is thinking; he may very well make Vince earn his job back and start him at 2nd on the depth chart. But, Fisher has not come out and said, “VY is our backup quarterback.” Until he does, can we please stop following the local/national media’s lead with definitive comments on the front page like, “Jeff Fisher says Vince will have to earn his starting position back by doing more than just getting healthy.”

This thing has spun out of control already…it’s all over Sportscenter and we have very little hard facts. I know many of you are upset with Vince because of his behavior on Sunday, and I can’t blame you. But, other than that, we don’t know what else went on on Monday/Tuesday. So until we know more, I think it would be wise to stop grasping at straws with all these speculations and making matters worse for our quarterback.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:06 AM CDT 0 recs

What do you want Fisher to say, since VY won't say anything?

Plus, those Wyatt and McCormick are not national guys grasping at straws: they’re experienced reporters who have been in that locker room longer than most of the players and coaches.

When they print something like that, I give it credence.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree it's out of control

And ESPN has never been one to make any kind of situation better,

But it would be nice to hear something from our quarterback here.

Why is Steve McNair not our quarterbackscoach?

by gramsey712 on Sep 11, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

I blame Mike Florio at PFT more than ESPN

he lost all respect from me (which wasn’t much to start with) when he brought up those ridiculous, and obviously proven false by the time he ran them, message board rumors that made VY look like a potential cop killer (posted by a Colts fan, by the way).

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

Link

Here

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think

Fisher has handled everything great. No complaints there.

My problem is that people are stretching that comment to mean that Vince is QB#2 until he proves otherwise when Fisher never made that abundantly clear.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:20 AM CDT 0 recs

I can see where you take it like that

I took it as a shot across the bow that Vince needs more than a trainer to get himself ready to play…

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

And.

I completely understand why you might think that. But, until we know more about the entire situation, posting things like, “Jeff Fisher says Vince will have to earn his starting position back by doing more than just getting healthy,” will only make matters worse. If you’re going to speculate, that’s fine, but maybe word it like, I think Jeff Fisher is saying…

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up 0 recs

When I read his comments...

…I read them to mean, “Vince will be our starting quaterback when he is healthy.”

Now, I don’t know when he’ll be fully “healthy” and what-all that will entail, but I think Fisher still believes he can build aroudn Vince. Certainly he said as much yesterday.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 11, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

So your entire objection was 'says' vs. 'saying'?

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

No

It’s including “I think” in front of the statement, which would indicate to me that it is your opinion.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

Superhorn, I like you - I'm not trying to give you a hard time -

but you’re upset because I STATED WHAT IT WAS REPORTED FISHER SAID*, but didn’t interpret it subjectively in the exact way you are, so you’re hammering me for being subjective?

Just wondering so I know whether or not to give a crap moving forward.

- As reported: “Coach Jeff Fisher said when Young is healthy he’s going to have to show he’s made progress on all fronts before resuming his duties as the starter. And that could be a while.”

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Put simply, yes.

I’m hearing all sorts of “subjective,” speculative things from local and national media types. In most any other situation, it’s immaterial. But in the case with Vince, this is getting out of hand already, so I think it’s best to avoid adding fuel to the fire.

To be clear though, I’m not “upset,” or offended. I just want to make sure that VY gets a fair shake until he gets back, and that involves making sure that opinions aren’t being represented as facts…nothing more, nothing less.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

fair enough.

I specifically didn’t add a comment with that link because I wanted the reporting and Fisher’s comments to be read plainly, but I understand where you’re coming from…

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

Safe

I think it’s safe to say that Fisher is saying that Vince will have earn the top spot back, because that’s pretty much exactly what Fisher said. I think he wouldn’t consider it making Vince the backup, but I think Fisher will consider him injured until his mindset has returned to normal.

I don’t see anything wrong with that, and while it is “coach speak” it is the only information we have.

by theologic on Sep 11, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

Then let's be fair

With that information we have. Because, “pretty much exactly” isn’t exactly.

The reason that you have to say I think before each of your three comments above says something, and that is that it is your opinion and not fact.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

I see what you’re saying, but we have no REAL facts. If we just spoke facts we would end up saying nothing at all. Or repeating Fisher’s quotes back and forth. That would make for a pretty lame blog.

I agree with you about not dragging Vince’s name through the mud, but we ARE fans. We have to speculate a little.

by theologic on Sep 11, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

Seems to me...

that the vast majority of the work, according to Jeff Fisher’s direct comment, that Vince needs to do is get healthy. I believe the other work meant his maturity in terms of what happened on Sunday (i.e. throwing the helmet – not necessarily the supposed unwillingness to go in, which is all speculation at this point).

by nahmorlah on Sep 11, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

THIS

guys c’mon there is a world of difference between “He’s got some work to do, he has to put some things in perspective” and “He’s no longer our starter and will have to earn his starting job back”. They both do probably mean that yes, vy is going to have to be ready mentally to play again before he takes the field, but the wording Fisher actually used is wording that indicates he’s still protecting, backing, and supportive of his guy, whereas if he literally said “he’s lost the starting position and will have to earn it back” that’s clearly the coach dropping the gauntlet – the end of the “i’m on your side, we’re nurturing you along” era and the beginning of a “perform and mature now or you’re out of here” era. The actual words used are important.

I hate paraphrasing like this. It totally gives a different context to what was said. It’s incredibly irresponsible of the Tennessean to title their article like that and disappointing that it’s repeated here.

by numbertenox on Sep 11, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

Completely. Without speculation, there wouldn’t be a blog in the offseason. Speculation is one of the things that makes sports great.

But, let’s keep the opinions separate from the facts. The first statement on this page reads like a fact, when it isn’t.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 10:49 AM CDT 0 recs

Hey August...

…I gotta disagree with you about Vince getting out in front of the story. I mean, if he COULD do that, emotionally, that would be terrific. But if they’re not sure what they’ll get if they put him out there, then holding him in the “cocoon” is the right thing to do.

I also think the T.O. comparison is a little strained. When T.O. OD’ed or whatever, he came out to the media WHEN HE WAS HEALTHY. If Vince had an actual breakdown of some kind, then he probably isn’t healthy at all—-yet.

On a more personal note, we all have a breaking point, and it can be pretty unpredictable. I’ve hit mine a couple of times, and afterwards, it has taken me WEEKS or even MONTHS to get to be right again. And I’m not just talking about at times like after my Dad died, because when something like that happens, most people sort of understand. But I remember really, really losing it out at the National Training Center one time when the radiator exploded on a HMMWV we were trying to turn in. After four weeks of exhaustion and real stress, when I saw the NTC Maintenance Tech start laughing at my misfortune, I literally had to be pulled off the guy by my Commander. This was NOT a good thing for a 1LT and Company XO. And it did take me a good bit of time to calm down after that—more than a couple of days.

My point is just that stuff does happen, and when a lot of stuff happens at the same time, it can be multiplicative. And when you really hit your melting point, for whatever reason, it can be hard to get it back under control afterwards, especially if people keep pushing your buttons.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 11, 2008 10:57 AM CDT 0 recs

very valid points all throughout, and I'm not trying to diminish anyone's struggles at all...

The implied point of that article, IMO, was that since neither VY or is people had spoken to anyone on record, it lends more credence to the idea that there is something going on. If that’s the case then this isn’t coincidences and an over-worried mom making thinks look worse.

I agree that there really was no point in Estwick bringing up TO’s overdose. The point could be made without introducing that very distracting analogy.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

What happened to you and what happened to VY are two very different things

Did you pout when you couldn’t figure out the radiator issue? I doubt it. Did your Mom go and talk to the guy you assaulted to say he shouldn’t have laughed at you? I REALLY doubt it. You probably took care of the blow up shortly after that yourself. Even though it took months to release your anger or frustration you most likely handled the situation like an adult in the aftermath.
Yes we all have a melting point that pushes us over the edge but behavior such as VY’s should not continue to be tolerated.
IMO he needs to earn his starting job back, it should not just be given back to him because he is the most athletic quarterback.

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are you suggesting

That Vince had anything to do with his mom going to the media?

Because…
1. You have nothing to support that claim.
2. It seems hard to believe that he would do anything that self destructive.

I suspect she did that all on her own.

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't know if he suggested his Mother go to the media or not.

It happened, that is what I do know. My guess and I want to emphasize the word guess is that he probably was aware of her contact with the Tennessean. VY did not and has not made an official statement yet about what happened. Thus far statements have been made about him by others. My point is that when something happens like this that could potentially be very damaging to his career he should handle it himself. He sure wasn’t reluctant to talk when things were going well.
How would you feel about him playing this weekend if he had not had the MCL sprain?

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'd feel fine about it.

And, admittedly, I would hope he worked things out after the episode on the sidelines.

Regardless, I think it is a mistake to put it all the blame on him for not talking to the media, when I’d imagine that decision is coming down from the front office…

by SuperHorn on Sep 11, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

I would NOT be fine with him starting this weekend assuming his knee was fine

His behavior highly suggests that he quit on the team. No I don’t have official word on that. I do have a lot of circumstantial evidence. 1.) He was slow at coming out on the field 2.) Fisher was clearly animated when he was “discussing” things with VY on the sideline before he came back in 3.) His own teammate said and I am paraphrasing here “that no one quit on this side of the ball” 4.) the helmet throwing 5. ) his sulking on thebench even when his own team scored insurance points 6.) the police having to check on his whereabouts because of concerns from family and Fisher 7.) his maturity has been in question for quite some time 8.) his performance on the playing field has been poor all preseason and most of last year
The last reason should be moved to number one and then everything else is after that.
I still contend that he does not have what it takes to do the job successfully. He does not handle the pressure well. Get VY some mental help and move him to a job less stressful

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Have you seriously NEVER lost it before?

I’ll admit that losing it on TV during a game is BAD, but it happens. Let’s not get crazy here. He’s not BROKEN. He’s BENT.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 11, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Of course I have, not as dramatic as what you talked about but

none the less yes I have. I am a bit high strung and I lose it in tinier ways. I try real hard to not let our children see that. I don’t want them to grow up and behave poorly. I have wanted badly to wrap my golf club around a tree at times while out with my 12 year old son because of a bad shot, but I don’t. I say a few words loudly sometimes or I groan and thats the end of it. My 12 year old has developed a habit of slamming his club into the ground on a bad shot and I am really working on him to stop that behavior. He is improving but it is slow. He gets his temper from me no doubt.

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 6:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

"He’s not BROKEN. He’s BENT."

Great way of putting it.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 6:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

This whole situation must be giving you a perma-grin Joy Kat.

Why is Steve McNair not our quarterbacks coach?

by gramsey712 on Sep 11, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not at all. I don't like the accusation either

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ummm... "assaulted" is kind of a strong word.

But at any rate… my point was that, yes, someone had to calm me down because I couldn’t get to anything like calm on my own. It happens to the best of us at times. Certainly it has happened to me, and on more than one occasion. You get to a point where, if you can’t walk away, bad stuff is bound to happen. From the outside looking in, that’s where it seems VY has gone. And it can take time and effort to recover from that, more than a few days, especially if a bunch of other crap is also going on and/or you haven’t slept.

Really, my point is that we don’t know what else is going on, but I doubt that he broke down solely because of a single bad throw and/or some booing. It was probably that stuff, plus all the hard work and expectations going into the season, plus butterflies before the game, plus borderline dehydration from the heat on the field, plus some crap with his mom, plus some other crap with his dad, plus some of his cousins hitting him up for some money, plus his Bentley broke down, plus his girlfriend is late for her period, plus he’s getting some crap from his sponsors… etc, etc, etc. I doubt seriously that it’s all one thing. So yeah, he needs to learn to compartmentalize—no doubt—but I can only tell you that when I was that age and faced that kind of stuff, I lost it once, too. So yeah, I feel for the guy.

As for the mom, there is NO WAY he knew she was gonna call. I’ve never met her, but we’ve all seen “sports moms” and/or “stage dads” before, and they can get pretty out of control all on their own. Y’know, your average sports-parent is just looking for an excuse to make the story THEIRS rather than their kids’.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 11, 2008 3:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ugh....Doug

We’re really considering Doug Johnson -

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3581545

by TrenchantTitan on Sep 11, 2008 11:07 AM CDT 0 recs

Good thing considered is as far as it went

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Sep 11, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think it's as simple as..

If Collins plays well we’ll see Vince be “out” for 8 weeks, and if he struggles we shall see the conventional “speedy” recovery.

by b3tts32 on Sep 11, 2008 11:15 AM CDT 0 recs

i agree, 4-6 weeks(ish)

Hell, no! A tie is like kissing your sister!

by comer4tide on Sep 11, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

I will buy into that, but Simms should also be given a shot then (I can't beleive I just said that)

I don’t think Collins will have a hard time doing well though. He doesn’t have to save the day himself, there is plenty of help in the name of Chris Johnson. Hopefully Haynesworth will be back shortly to dominate and intimidate like usual. GO Titans

by Joy Kat on Sep 11, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hey August

I think you missed posting the article on VY getting support from the locker room. It would be nice to read some positive things happening in the team.

Go Titans!

by Pinoy Titan on Sep 11, 2008 12:43 PM CDT 0 recs

Check it now. I honestly missed that article in the rush this morning because it was buried in the sidebar.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Sep 11, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pile On! Pile On!

Lots of original thoughts here:

He even included the story about VY missing the plane to Philly.

Why is Steve McNair not our quarterbacks coach?

by gramsey712 on Sep 11, 2008 1:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Peter King

is a major Pats/Jags lover. We’ve put up with his crap for a long time. I just don’t read him. And, btw, congrats on your win over the Jags…nice job!

April in CA

by peytonsthebest on Sep 11, 2008 1:32 PM CDT 0 recs

it all depends on kerry

joy cat got her wish lets see if shes correct in starting collins over vince.
i hope kerry does really well and vince will have to sit out even when he is better. it will teach him a lesson and it will also motivate him to get back out there and do well. it will also show hey vince we dont need you all that bad if kerry does well so go on with your threaten to quit cus it dosnt really matter.

by dentureboy on Sep 11, 2008 2:20 PM CDT 0 recs