Disappointed and somewhat disheartened after watching the Titans fall to the Redskins in person, I left LP Field to head back to Johnson City. Tennessee had lost their third consecutive game and starting quarterback Vince Young’s health had been in question. Would the quarterback be able to return next week? If not, how would the offense fare with rookie Rusty Smith? At the conclusion of the game, Young threw his pads into the stands, got into a verbal argument with coach Jeff Fisher as Fisher addressed the team and stormed out of LP Field.

Perhaps an hour after Redskins kicker Graham Gano gave his team the game-winning field goal, Fisher announced that Young had lost the starting quarterback job.

Young had to come out of the game due to an injury. Contrary to what the training staff told Fisher, Young felt that he could play the rest of the game. Coach Fisher knew that Young’s injury would take quite some time to heal, maybe even needing surgery. As a result, Young sat on the bench while Rusty Smith took over for the rest of the game.

Monday brought news that the Titans had placed Young on IR and would sign Chris Simms for depth. Moving Young to IR signaled one of three possibilities: Young had suffered a season-ending injury; Fisher was tired of putting up with the troubled quarterback or both.

Back in April’s NFL Draft, the Titans surprised a lot of people when they drafted Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith late in day three. What was the reason for drafting a quarterback? Weren’t they settled with Vince Young?

Looking back on that selection now, another Young meltdown may have been foreseen. If so, the Titans will benefit greatly from that move.

They lose a potential distraction in Young and instead start a quarterback that offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger liked since seeing Smith’s film. Heimerdinger feels comfortable with Smith running the offense but understands that the rookie will experience some growing pains as a starter in the NFL.

The Titans future seems certain, but Young’s could not be more in question. Young had several chances to prove himself and, unfortunately, has not panned out the way many believed that he would.

The Titans will fight on with Rusty Smith or Kerry Collins, but only time will tell of Young’s remaining future as a Titan and as a quarterback in the NFL.

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