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Titans in no-lose situation with draft
By Teresa M. Walker
The Associated Press
Should the Titans draft Matt Leinart, he would be reunited with offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who guided Leinart during three of his four seasons at USC.
NASHVILLE, TN, Jan. 13, 2006 -- The Tennessee Titans now find themselves in a no-lose situation with the third pick overall in the NFL Draft in April.
Even with Houston and New Orleans picking first and second, either Southern California running back Reggie Bush, USC quarterback Matt Leinart or Texas quarterback Vince Young will be available at No. 3 after Bush declared Thursday that he was turning pro.
Veteran NFL scout Chris Landry with Fox Sports Radio believes Bush will be the top pick overall, leaving one of the two quarterbacks available when the Titans draft.
"If they have Vince Young rated really highly, it's a no brainer," Landry said. "You take him and you don't look back. If you've got reservations about him, then you move down because you really don't care to have him."
This is their highest draft pick since taking Steve McNair at No. 3 in 1995, and drafting either Leinart or Young would allow the Titans to start grooming McNair's successor as he prepares for his 12th NFL season.
First, the Titans have to decide what to do with the quarterbacks they have. McNair's contract must be reworked by March because of a $50 million roster bonus due this offseason, and backup Billy Volek is also due a bonus or could be traded for a draft pick.
McNair has said he's willing to return for three or four years, which would give the Titans plenty of time to groom Young.
Landry said he sees the Texas quarterback as a three-year project while Leinart, who won a Heisman Trophy with Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow coaching him in 2004, can distribute the ball to the playmakers.
Drafting Young would allow McNair to continue a relationship started years ago. Young has attended McNair's football camp as both a student and a counselor, and McNair has cheered Young from the sidelines through last week's Rose Bowl victory.
"It's the best pairing possible when you think about it," said Landry, who once scouted for the Titans.
"Norm is so very good working with young players, young quarterbacks particularly ... and then you've got Steve. It's certainly the perfect situation for Vince Young I'll say that. Whether it's the direction they want to go, I don't know."
The Titans still need lots of help after finishing 4-12, but they have money to hit the free agent market for more help at receiver, linebacker and safety. With McNair, the Titans ranked ninth in the NFL averaging 224.8 yards per game.
If they use their top draft pick on a quarterback, don't expect him to play immediately. Coach Jeff Fisher repeatedly has said the best way to prepare a quarterback for the NFL is by letting him watch and learn in the first two seasons.
He did that with McNair, sitting him behind Chris Chandler. McNair didn't debut until Nov. 11 that season and started his first game in the next to last game that season.
"Steve didn't have that great a mentor when he came in. I think it's something he will be very cognizant about making sure particularly somebody he's got a relationship with is helped along," Landry said.
The good thing for the Titans is they have 107 days until April 29 to consider each option.
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"If you guys don’t want to win then you need to get out of the huddle."
-- Vince Young during the Giants game
Thanks to Havoc for this sweet SIG
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