Browns set to bring in former pro bowler Young, for mini-camp starting Tuesday
If the Browns elect to draft a quarterback with the 4th overall selection in next Thursday’s draft they will attempt to find their franchise quarterback for years to come. Franchise saving quarterback it was not for the Tennessee Titans who selected Vince Young 3rd overall in 2006 out of Texas University. The Cleveland Browns will have tryouts with the former national championship winning quarterback Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen starting this Tuesday at the teams three day minicamp this week.
Young who is 31 has been out of the NFL since 2011. He has spent the past two seasons battling for a roster spot in training camp with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers. Young a two time probowler with the Titans in 2006 and 2009 was the center of dispute between coach and owner of which QB to play on the roster through his five seasons in Tennessee. Through Young’s career as a starter he was 30-17 threw for 42 touchdowns and 42 interceptions.
Tyler Thigpen a 7th round draft pick of the Kansas City has limited action having a record of 1-10 in 11 starts throwing 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
In his final season at Texas Young set numerous records while leading the Longhorns to an undefeated season and a National Championship, scoring the game winning touchdown on a scramble with 19 seconds remaining. He is remembered as one of the greatest college football players in recent history. Coming into the 06’ draft he was considered a great runner but many questioned his arm and wondered if his quirky side arm delivery would translate to the NFL game. After being released by the Titans he was the backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
At 31 years of age and being out of football for two seasons, Young is on a final prayer of making an NFL roster. The Browns currently have only two quarterbacks on the roster in Brian Hoyer who is recovering from ACL surgery and trick shot quarterback Alex Tanney. The Browns simply need quarterbacks to take some snaps and run the offense in the three day minicamp. Young and Thigpen are both mobile guys who will be ample to run Kyle Shanahan’s offense as they fight for a roster spot. If neither is impressive the Browns can simply move on and perhaps bring in veteran Rex Grossman which offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is very filmier with.
The Browns need quarterbacks for minicamp and here are two quarterbacks on their last leg for a NFL job. So, from the Browns perspective why not? Chances are maybe one of these two guys impress and they sign one of them to bring in and compete in training camp. This move does not reflect which quarterback the team will draft or any current plans with Brian Hoyer. Best way to put it, it’s an opportunity for Young and Thigpen to show the Browns if they have anything left in the tank and to visit the remains of a once highly touted quarterback in Vince Young and see if he’s worthy of roster consideration.
-Eric Szczepinski
