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SI.com - Over the years, Kobe Bryant has become a de facto mentor to Vince Young.

Young would write text messages to Bryant, something like, "Man, I wanna play so bad. What do I do?'' The answer would always come back from Bryant with something like this: "Stay focused. Work on your craft."

As Young told SI's Peter King last week: "That's what I needed -- someone I respected, like him or Brett Favre, to tell me everybody goes through tough times. Adversity comes, work hard, work on your game, and you'll come out of it OK.''

This is the first time I've heard about a connection between Kobe and Vince Young. So this is great to hear how he's reaching out to the young guys, especially in another sport.

I really don't follow football, but has Vince Young amounted to anything? He was hyped up in Austin like nobody's business, but I remember thinking to myself that he would be just another scrub after finding out about how dumb he was (they released some of his test scores IIRC).

semi-sentient wrote:I really don't follow football, but has Vince Young amounted to anything? He was hyped up in Austin like nobody's business, but I remember thinking to myself that he would be just another scrub after finding out about how dumb he was (they released some of his test scores IIRC).

titans started this season 0-6, then pulled the plug on collins and gave vince young the nod, ever since, titans have won 4 straight and are back on the playoff hunt..definitely he has a lot more to prove but it's a start after all that he's faced

He's got along way to go to prove himself, He's a great runner, but not a great passer, that usually doesn't fair well for the long term of an NFL quarterback in winning consistantly.

semi-sentient wrote:I really don't follow football, but has Vince Young amounted to anything? He was hyped up in Austin like nobody's business, but I remember thinking to myself that he would be just another scrub after finding out about how dumb he was (they released some of his test scores IIRC).

He really isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. That's going to hold him back in the NFL.

But as everyone is saying, he's improved in terms of his preparation and professionalism. If he at least makes an effort in that regard, he should be an above-average quarterback because he really is gifted from an athletic standpoint.

Collegiately, he's one of the two or three best players I've ever seen. Beat USC pretty much by himself, which is saying something considering that team had Leinart, Bush, White, etc.

He's a rich man's jamarcus russell

Sedale Threatt wrote:

semi-sentient wrote:I really don't follow football, but has Vince Young amounted to anything? He was hyped up in Austin like nobody's business, but I remember thinking to myself that he would be just another scrub after finding out about how dumb he was (they released some of his test scores IIRC).

He really isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. That's going to hold him back in the NFL.

But as everyone is saying, he's improved in terms of his preparation and professionalism. If he at least makes an effort in that regard, he should be an above-average quarterback because he really is gifted from an athletic standpoint.

Collegiately, he's one of the two or three best players I've ever seen. Beat USC pretty much by himself, which is saying something considering that team had Leinart, Bush, White, etc.

That was an amazing game. I don't watch College Football much, in fact the last game I watched was that one.

Dude is just a winner (Vince Young). Doesn't put up that great of stats, but always keeps his team in the game.

Shuttlesworth wrote:That was an amazing game. I don't watch College Football much, in fact the last game I watched was that one.

Yeah, same here. I was actually going for USC just to piss everyone I know off, but Young messed around and got UT the championship. Insane performance.

As long as he plays within' his game, and doesn't throw deep unless they are wide flipping open he should be fine, OH and that they have an excellent O Line and the 1 or 2nd best RB in football helps as well. He ran option right on one play and as a defender you are in trouble Vince and Chris on the wing? Watch out!

Kobe. Forget Vince. Stick to the NBA...

Kobe should have crushed his confidence before Texas played USC back in the day. I couldnt shave for 2 months because of freakin Vince Young (lost bet, dont ask)

Works for me. I'm a Titans fan as well.

No point in really diving into all of the details about his progress here though. All that matters is, VY's improved over his last time starting 2 years ago...... a lot. He's growing up and playing with more of a purpose ever since his real mentor, Steve McNair was killed this summer. Having another dominant personality like Kobe keep him level headed is good for both of them.

I usually don't give Kobe his props due to the severe bandwagon-ing and jock-riding all over RealGM that occurs, but him stepping up and becoming a true leader has allowed him to garner the respect from athletes in sports other than basketball. The fact that he's reached out to a guy who had severe troubles in his life on and off the court, similar to Kobe, and recognized that the kid needed some pointing in the right direction has garnered my respect for his kindness.

Oh, and I don't watch football at all. However, my friend is an addict and he's told me that Vince Young will never pile on the stats, but at the end of the game, his team will be a winner. Sounds similar to Russell, but lower the magnitude by 100.