Young turning the corner

Vince Young led the Titans to their third straight victory since returning as the starting quarterback. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker)

Sometimes we have to take two steps back in order to take one step forward.

While the Tennessee Titans enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in 2008-09, the quarterback they drafted with the third overall pick in 2006 was spiraling down an unforeseen path that dealt with being booed by his own fans at LP Field, spraining his knee, allegations of a suicide attempt and losing his job as the starter.

Growing up without his father and with a mother addicted to several narcotics and alcohol, Vince Young wasn't experiencing the most trying times of his life, but he was definitely in an undesirable circumstance.

Then, this past summer he loses father figure and long-time mentor Steve McNair in a shooting in Nashville. When trying to address those in attendance at McNair's funeral, Young broke down. The 6-foot-5, 233-pound man in his prime lowered his head, paced and shook as he tried to deal with his friend's passing.

E:60 did an exclusive on Young that brings to light some of the pain that he went through coming into this season.

The hits just kept on comin' when the Titans started the year with six straight losses. Young came closer to completing passes to opponents in mop-up duty on two occasions.

The bye in Week 7 bid farewell to Kerry Collins as the starter and put Young in a position to get his career back on track.

The Houston, Texas, native hasn't had a passer rating any lower than 90.4 in his first three starts, all wins. On top of his success managing the offense and throwing the football, Young appears to have matured immensely in the pocket, on the sidelines and with reporters.

It's too early to predict what Tennessee may do at season's end at the quarterback position. If Collins isn't guaranteed the starting job he's sure to exit.

Young is due some serious contract bonuses if they want to retain his services and his cap number for 2010 rests at $14.21 million. And, who's to say Young even wants to stay in the Music City. He may still feel betrayed by the franchise that went with a 35-year-old over him even after he returned from injury last season. He may want to get away from the city where McNair was murdered.

They say time heals all wounds. I guess we'll see.