Vince Young

Who in the hell do you know that could pass for Eagles QB Vince Young?(photo from startingaces.com)

In strange news, some dude in DC has been doing paid appearances pretending to be Eagles QB Vince Young. Young says the impersonator has been taking pictures with kids and accepting payment to show up to events.

The agency that represents veteran NFL quarterback Vince Young says its client is being impersonated by a man in Prince George’s County.

“I heard that he has been taking money, taking pictures with little kids at hospitals,” Young said on Monday.  “It’s been real sick.”

EAG Sports Management company said in an email that it had become aware of a man posing as the quarterback in the D.C. area.  According to EAG Sports Management agency, since June the man was collecting money for appearances as the quarterback, “conning unsuspecting women and some men into believing his scam.”

I think the most disturbing part of this is the fact that Vince Young has a pretty unique look and it’s odd to me that someone could trick a bunch of people into thinking it’s him. I want to see this guy.

Watch Vince talk about his doppleganger here.

The Denver Broncos Continue to Treat Tim Tebow Like a Red-headed Step Child

It’s the last week of the pre-season and three teams are keeping up a ridiculous quarterback sham. The Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Washington Redskins are still telling everyone who will listen that they don’t know who the #2 quarterback is on their team. I have to be honest, I’m not here for that. I prefer when teams keep it real.

YOU LIE ANDY REID

The Philadephia Eagles have former Tennessee Titans STARTING Quarterback Vince Young as well as never-taken-a-snap-in-a-game-that-matters-but-definitely-seems-like-he-could-possibly-one-day 2010 4th round Eagles draft pick Mike Kafka. Young has a similar playing style to their starting QB Mike Vick and performed well enough to attend two pro bowls in the past. And before he was dramatically benched last year, he was having a pretty respectable season.

But the Eagles don’t know who their number 2 QB is? Oh okay, well let me tell you. IT’S VINCE YOUNG.

The ShanaSCAMS

The Redskins are just as pitiful with their situation. After benching a superior QB in Donovan McNabb for a spotty middling one-Rex Grossman-it seemed like the Shanahans were prepared to make a commitment to the QB (that most football watchers thought was exiled forever after leaving Chicago) until they could get a better veteran. But then the Shanahans (Head coach Mike and deeply offensive coordinator Kyle, his son) spent the entire lockout and first week of the pre-season raving about former Bringham Young QB John Beck. Beck, a man who 99.999999999% of football fans had never heard of. After no one took them seriously, the Redskins belatedly created some sort of “friendly quarterback competition” that is for all intents and purposes a complete sham.

Why? Because John Beck actually has a chance to be the Redskins QB for years to come. Grossman doesn’t. Everyone knows what Grossman can do. I can’t name a team in the league that would want to sign Grossman to a long term contract as a starter even given the dearth of talent that exists right now. You can’t rely on him to be a starter based on history and you can’t use him to train a new QB. Barring injury, the Redskins should be giving Beck the start, giving him intensive EXCLUSIVE tutelage, and figuring out what the hell he can do. Not having him split snaps and engage in some dumb ass competition with somebody who likely will spend the rest of their career as a backup.

The league is full of rookie quarterbacks and guys who have never been a starter before. They all will be learning the hard way this season. Perfect time to test out a newbie. You know what you (don’t) have in Grossman, might as well see what the deal is with Beck and stop confusing the hapless Washington media.

Ladies and Gents, Your Denver BRONCnos

Finally, the Broncos have made a mess of this entire quarterback situation. To be clear, Tim Tebow probably never should have been drafted as a quarterback in the first place. When I watch Tebow play, I feel like I’m watching a guy in a vicious battle with genetics. He knows what he needs to do but his body just won’t let him. He not only struggles with his throwing motion, simply dropping back with any sort of speed and fluidity is a test for him. The Broncos gave him the ultimate insult when they leaked to the press that Tebow just has “no football sense.” HOW LOW CAN YOU GO.

Just a few weeks ago, fans in Denver were SO TEBOW-CRAZY, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd said that the Broncos would probably HAVE to start Tebow just to keep the peace. Now here we are a short time later and Kyle Orton is the clear starter. And the Broncos are telling us that they just haven’t decided who would replace Orton if he goes down (which, he will-I’ve already put him on “ankle watch 2011″).

Brady Quinn is their number 2 and Tebow won’t be with the Broncos next season. In fact, I’d be surprised if he’s still in the league. Quinn was highly touted and then fell completely off the radar. From all accounts, Quinn has regained some confidence and looked more promising than Tebow in the professional system. This is not to say that Quinn is the Broncos QB of the future-or anyone’s QB of the future. But Quinn isn’t fighting with his DNA just to get the ball of out his hands. And if the Broncos want Tebow to be number two breaking him down publicly like this is not the way to ensure his best performance. And Quinn can definitely tell Tebow a little bit about fan hype and disappointment.

Long story short, all these teams know who their number 2 is and I’m not in the mood to play dress up with them. Have at it.

Soon-to-be-former Titans QB Vince Young

The 2011 season (see how confident I sound that there will be a season?) will have many story lines. Where soon-to-be former Tennesee Titans Quarterback Vince Young lands will be one of them. Just in case you’re not caught up, Young lost his starting job after sustaining a thumb injury, being pulled out of the game, and walking out pretty dramatically.

The Titans drafted University of Washington QB Jake Locker with the 8th pick in the first round. From my vantage point, all signs point to the Titans releasing Young and probably signing soon-to-be former Seattle Seahawks oldie but goodie Matt Hasselback for a year, if not two.

Young was interviewed by Fox and had this to say:

“Everybody that knows me with the things I have done in the NFL, I’ve been successful,” said Young in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

“I’m not finished yet. I’m not happy where I am yet because you know me, I love the competitive nature. I love everybody saying ‘what are you gonna do,’ the doubters. That’s my motivation and once that number’s called, if it’s in Nashville or whereever it has to be, I’ll be ready.”

Young said it’s tough not knowing where he will be playing in 2011.

“That’s been tough,” Young said. “The biggest thing is not being at the facility with your coaches.

Throughout his career Young has struggled with mental illness causing football media and fans to question whether or not he can play in a tough league at a position that requires the ability to deal with a lot of pressure and criticism. Last season Young looked to be headed in the right direction and proving his detractors wrong. At least from a statistical performance standpoint. He put up some of his best numbers through the 9 games he played.

Looking at this picture holistically, I think that Young CAN succeed somewhere else. Even if that means starting over as a backup somewhere and re-emerging as a starter in a year. The current league isn’t exactly stacked with QB talent, and, quite frankly, Young isn’t the only starting QB that could stand to step back for a minute and regroup (in a perfect world, of course).

One thing that that has always bothered me about the Titans situation is the now-ousted Coach Fisher’s apparently immediate distaste for Young. Now I realize that playing well from the start is a way to win a Coach over, but there’s also something to be said for creating an environment in which a young man can succeed. A team’s willingness to do that is why Eli Manning was able to overcome some of his niggling shortcomings, in particular his confidence, and go on to lead the Giants to a Superbowl in 2008.

Anyway, yall know I’m a softie. I’m rooting for Vince Young to come back and be competitive.

You have until noon on Friday to vote for the Ravens’ Rice, the Bears’ Forte, or the Titans’ Johnson at NFL.com/FedEx.

Baltimore Raven Ray Rice

Ray Rice rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 win over Denver.

Matt Forte, who had 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-6 win over Carolina.

Chris Johnson had 131 yards with two scores in a 34-27 win over Dallas.

$2000 is donated to Safe Kids Worldwide in the winning player’s name.

You can also vote for David Garrard, Vince Young, or Shaun Hill in the Fed Ex AIR Player of the Week Contest at the same link.