Titans to Release or Trade Young

By Justin Worsley,

The Vince Young Era in Tennessee is officially over.

For Jeff Fisher, the world will have to wait another day to find out his fate.

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams announce on Wednesday that the quarterback would not be on the team next season after meeting with him Monday following their season finale loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Adams also stated that he has not decided on what he will do about the coaching staff.

Tennessee drafted Young third overall in 2006 after he helped Texas win the national title. Adams, who, like Young, is from Houston, announced that "VY if my guy" when the Titans drafted him.

Young's career was highlighted by his success in winning games, he went 30-17 in five seasons as a starter, but was also marred due to his bad decision as a quarterback and his off-field issues.

The Titans began the 2008 season with Young as their starting quarterback, but he was injured after throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter and left the field with a shower of boos from his home fans. Backup quarterback Kerry Collins led Tennessee to start the season 10-0.

Young showed a great improvement this season, making better reads on defenses and more importantly cutting down on the amount of interceptions thrown. Before Young was placed on injured reserve with a right thumb injury, he had 10 touchdown passes to only three interceptions.

During a loss to the Washington Redskins, Fisher benched an injured Young and it caused a rift between the player and coach. Young threw his shoulder pads into the stands and argued with Fisher in the locker room in front of his teammates after the game. The next morning, Young was placed on injured reserve.

The Titans can not release Young until Feb. 7, the day after the Super Bowl. He can not also be traded until the first day of the league year, which can not currently be determined due to the lack of a collective bargaining agreement signed by the league.

Tennessee started the season perched on top of the AFC South with a 5-2 record before the team lost eight of their final nine games.