Dallas Morning News columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor was one of those awestruck by Young when he dominated the college game as UT's quarterback but he's now convinced that that VY's glory days have passed him by in the blink of a young shirtless brother's eye.

For back up, Taylor used Roy Williams' body language:

Roy Williams needed nearly 10 seconds to figure out a way to describe his former teammate's career.

First, Williams smiled. Then he paused. Then he shrugged. Then he looked upward.

Then he smiled awkwardly. Again.

Finally, Williams spoke.

"I wish the best of luck to the guy," he said. "We all know he can play and we all know the things he can do when his head is on right."

Yes. When Vince Young's head is on right, he can pick apart Tampa Bay's second-string defense.

Vince Young's magic merely a memory [DMN]

Young, as you remember, is close to getting permanently doghoused by Jeff Fisher (if it hasn't happened already) and has worried teammates, family members, and NFL execs with his wacky manic-depressive behavior and disenchantment with football. (CUT TO Whitlock: Toldja!)

But the blues can't keep VY from smooth-talking the Smash Mic lady and chucking bills off the stage as Nelly encourages the crowd to throw various parts of their body into the sky like they were doomed for oblivion. And VY's behavior doesn't suggest that he's not doing what he said earlier this month — something about "taking care of his responsibilities as quarterback" and focusing on the "business" of football — but merely enjoying the last gasps of the off-season before he's forced to endure a grueling nine months of moping on the Tennessee sidelines. Plus, it was his 26th birthday weekend.

Hey, Nelly Play 'Hot In Here' So I can Lose This Damn Shirt Already [KSK]
Vince Young Makes It Drizzle [You Been Blinded]

"Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I ain't never said I was going to quit football. There was a lot of stuff going on in my life, but football is not hard to me. Football is easy. All you have to do is be coachable and use your God-given talent. If it was a thought at all it was just a passing thought for a second.''

So, for the record, Vince Young did consider quitting football for exactly one second. Young, obviously frustrated, went on to tell the Tennessean reporter that he wishes he didn't have to be in the spotlight so much and could be able to handle things like another NFL player: "He wished he could be like Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and just not talk to the media at all."

That's a well-timed namedrop.

Vince Young: I Wasn't Going To Quit [Tennessean]
Vince Young Talks About His Rebound From NFL Joylessness [Deadspin]

In an an interview with NFL.com, Young vents:

"I really thought long and hard about it.There was so much going on with my family. It was crazy being an NFL quarterback. It wasn't fun anymore. All of the fun was out of it. All of the excitement was gone. All I was doing was worrying about things.

"My teammates helped lift me out of it. I prayed really hard. And I began to focus on God's calling for me. Play football. Be a role model."

Hmm. So, maybe that's why Vince's eyes were closed and he was half-naked — he was praying. Maybe he's been reading and studying this book in an attempt to reinvigorate himself.

Pressure almost pushed Young out after one NFL season [ESPN]
The Humanization Of Vince Young [Deadspin]

Pressure Almost Pushed Vince Young Out After One Season [ESPN]

Well, this is exciting. Tennessee Titans quarterback and part-time shirtless dancing zombie has come out and apologized for those photos that popped up online last week. Young explained himself to the throngs of Tennessee media after practice on Thursday.

Take it away, Vince:

“I apologize to some of the kids if they did see it because I am trying to be a role model for them. But at the same time, I was just trying to have fun. (But) that is the life of a quarterback, somebody of my status. It is not going to stop me from having fun. I just have to watch myself.’’

“I guess somebody was trying to make some money and sold the picture to the web site,” Young said. “But at the same time that is the life I chose to live. It is not going to stop me from having fun. I just have to watch myself.

“They always want to try and get some negative pub on me. It wasn’t really nothing bad. … Everybody deserves to have a good time every once in a while during the offseason.’’

High fucking five, brother.

Vince Young apologizes to kids for Internet photos [Tennessean] [via BL]

To be fair, some sites have suggested that this may be a private Down Low convention where bruthas and bears alike can get all Blue Oyster-y in peace. But, that seems a bit extreme; let's not jump to conclusions and start the Kordell Stewart comparisons just yet, considering that, yes, there are a pack of ladies milling around in the back of the club in some of the photos. Besides, what guy hasn't been to a shirtless party in the last few weeks, right?

Either way, Vince seems much more interested in glug-glugging the tequilla bottle than anything else.

Calls to Tennessee Titans rep Robbie Bohrens (you know, why not?) were not returned. I'll just insert his exasperated "no comment" right here for now, pending some kind of official statement that they have no reason to make anyway. (UPDATE: Titans did return a call. They gave a "no comment" that was not that exasperated.)

Vince Young: Shirtless, Patron-swilling at sausage party [Fanhouse]