It's OK Vince, You Can Go Rest Now.

A well earned rest, no less. He can add this one to the rapidly growing trophy case. Might need a new case pretty soon.

Titans' Young is Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL.com wire reports
NEW YORK (Jan. 3, 2007) -- Vince Young looks as if he'll make the NFL his personal playground, too.

The dynamic quarterback for the Tennessee Titans won The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. He did it in the same fashion he turned around the Titans' season -- running away from the rest of the field.

Young, who led Texas to the 2005 national championship and was the third overall pick in last April's draft, overwhelmed one of the strongest rookie classes in NFL history. He received 23 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.

That easily beat New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston and Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who had nine apiece; San Diego tackle Marcus McNeill (6); and Saints running back Reggie Bush (3).

Running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams of Tampa Bay won the award last year. Young is the third member of the Tennessee-Houston franchise to take top rookie honors: Earl Campbell in 1978 and Eddie George in 1996 did it for the Houston Oilers.

Young was the catalyst in Tennessee' rally from 0-5 to 8-8, at times looking as unstoppable for the Titans as he did with the Longhorns. A starter from Week 4, Young sprinkled all kinds of spectacular big plays with a growing maturity in joining Ben Roethlisberger (2004) as the only quarterbacks to win top rookie honors in the 49-year history of the award.

"A lot of people said it couldn't be done, especially at my position," Young said from Houston. "I just worked hard to get to that position behind the scenes, to get to the point of getting into the race of trying to get rookie of the year."

This is still just an award for individual achievement, but Vince himself has stated before that anytime he gets accolades of this kind he is quick to point the fingers at his offense line and the other teammates around him. This is also very -dare I say?- McNairesque in the way that Vince handles compliments such as these. Steve never took credit for the Titans success, and always blamed himself when things went bad. This is what leaders do, unlike some other QB's in the league *cough PEYTON cough*. Thank god McNair was able to show Vince how to act both on and off the field. The last thing the Titans need right now are more headcases.

Congratulations to Vince for being the head of one amazing rookie class. It just goes to show you that when someone is able to drown out the naysayers and believe in themselves, they can do anything they set their mind to (it sure helps to be 6'5" 260 with sick speed as well). Good call by the Titans staff in going with Vince in the draft, I think a Rookie of the Year awarded to their pick is some pretty sweet vindication.