YOUNG COMEBACK ENDED WITH INJURY
Quarterback showed flashes of potential, rarely demonstrated trademark mobility
The Leader-Post’s reporting team is looking back on the funny, heartbreaking, uplifting and surprising stories of the year that stuck with them the most.
Quarterbacks are often the story with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and 2017 provided one for the ages.
This unlikeliest of quarterback tales kicked off with reports that Vince Young, who starred for the University of Texas Longhorns and NFL’s Tennessee Titans, was pondering a comeback. The stunning news was that the Riders were in the mix.
Young wasn’t some young gun wanting to use the CFL as a stepping-stone to the NFL. At the time of his signing, Young was a 33-year-old quarterback looking for an opportunity to play football again and conclude his career on his own terms.
I was dubious when reports of Young being added to the Riders’ negotiation list emerged. I felt he was too old and too far removed from his last professional regular-season snap — in 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles — to even be in consideration as a quarterback with the Green and White.
Regardless, the story gained momentum. Before we knew it, the third overall selection the 2006 NFL draft by the Titans was introduced as the newest member of the Riders.
I watched the media conference from Cancun, where I was vacationing, and was impressed by Young’s sincerity. I felt this was a legitimate deal and more than a publicity stunt. Those feelings lasted through Young’s short time with the Riders.
The March 8 announcement followed a declaration by Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, who said he would leave “No stone unturned” while searching for a replacement for the recently traded Darian Durant. The Riders had added 17-year CFL veteran Kevin Glenn before signing Young. I wondered: “What fossils existed under that stone?’’
The hype around Young grew in late April with the Riders heading to their mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla., where the six-footfive, 240-pound Young stood out due to his size. He looked rusty, but appeared to be slowly adjusting to the Canadian game.
Young performed well enough at the mini-camp to earn an invitation to the Riders’ main camp in Saskatoon, where he was often the centre of attention.
Sports Illustrated was even on hand to research a lengthy feature on Young’s comeback for the magazine’s “Where are they now?” edition.
Young showed flashes of his potential despite an awkward throwing motion. However, Young — who turned 34 on May 18 — rarely demonstrated the mobility that was once his trademark.
I was willing to wait and see what Young could do in a preseason game before deciding on whether he could still play.
On June 6, Young’s comeback essentially ended after he suffered a torn hamstring while jogging toward the sideline. It was later announced that Young would be sidelined four to six weeks.
Eleven days later, he was released and reportedly placed on the retired list without attempting a pass in a pre-season game.
It was a disappointing end to Young’s comeback because I didn’t have chance to see what he could do against defensive players in live action. Training camp didn’t provide a definitive answer to whether Young could still perform.
I’ll always wonder what Young was capable of accomplishing in the CFL.