Early talks between team and Young
The representative of former NFL quarterback Vince Young hopes that the resumption of talks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders will lead to a revival of his client’s football career.
High-powered agent Leigh Steinberg told the Regina LeaderPost on Friday that Young, who won the 2005 Heisman Trophy before spending six seasons in the NFL, wants to return to action and has targeted the CFL’s Roughriders.
“We’re in a fact-finding mode right now,’’ Steinberg said from his home in Newport Beach, Calif. “We plan to continue these discussions and see where they lead.’’
The Riders have Young on their confidential negotiation list and have his exclusive rights if he’s to play in the CFL.
Steinberg and Young had met at the Super Bowl in Houston and talk to turned to the 33-year-old quarterback’s return to professional football. The news of Young ’s possible comeback broke Wednesday when Steinberg announced that he was representing the former University of Texas Longhorns star.
Steinberg said he was then contacted by Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager. On Thursday, Steinberg tweeted that he had opened discussions with the Riders regarding Young ’s possible return to the game.
Steinberg said they will probably pick up discussions with the Riders next week after the CFL team clears free agency.
Steinberg is familiar with the CFL, having represented players like Warren Moon, Jim Germany, Tommy Scott and Bryan Kelly when the Edmonton Eskimos were dominating the league in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The agent also represented CFL quarterback Joe Paopao.
Due to that background, Steinberg feels that the 6-foot-5 Young can adapt to the CFL game.
“It’s football, it’s passing, and Vince has always had the capacity to run the ball,” Steinberg said. “You have a little wider and longer field … whether it was Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia or Warren, the skill set is transferable. Vince has always been able to run, so he has always been a dual threat. He’s just a uniquely gifted athlete.’’
Young hasn’t taken a regularseason snap since 2011 with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He officially announced his retirement from football on June 14, 2014.
Steinberg feels that Young, who turns 34 on May 18, could still perform despite his time away from the game.
“It has been a while since he played and he’s 33, but he’s a young 33 because he hasn’t had the wear and tear on his body of the last few years,’’ Steinberg said. “We’re exploring the options and we’re just in the process of learning about Saskatchewan.’’
After setting numerous records with the Longhorns, Young was the third overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. He would go on to have stints with the Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns and was named a Pro Bowler in 2006 and 2009.
Steinberg added that Young ’s interest in resurrecting his football career isn’t about money.
“His desire is to play football,’’ Steinberg said. “He has actually made a very successful transition into a second career (after football). He has a nice job at the University of Texas, he owns a steak house, he has been working for the Longhorn Network and he has a charitable foundation.
“This is not a move motivated by financial considerations, necessarily. We’re well aware of the (financial) constraints in the CFL. He has a strong desire to play football. So we’ll sort of keep exploring this and see what happens.”
Steinberg said that Young still has dreams of playing in the NFL.
“Anyone who has played in the NFL has aspirations of playing in the NFL,’’ he said. “That’s not the question. The question is where is his best opportunity to play football? If he ends up committing himself to wherever he plays football, it will be with his full focus and attention. You don’t go into a situation halfway because you simply can’t play that way.”
The Riders haven’t commented on the discussions. Jones has said in the past that he prefers to only talk about players who are on the roster.
Saskatchewan currently has 37-year-old Kevin Glenn, Brandon Bridge, G.J. Kinne, Jake Waters and Bryan Bennett as the quarterbacks on their roster.
Extra point: The Roughriders announced the release of international linebacker Korey Jones on Monday.