Titans' Young Is At His Best When Game Is On The Line

TAMPA - We've all seen those tantalizing movie trailers that tease to a dramatic conclusion.

That's how Vince Young regards the first 45 minutes of any football game.

Tennessee's second-year quarterback can't wait for crunch time, thriving in close games armed with a football in his right hand and larceny on his mind.

When the 3-1 Titans hit the field Sunday against the Buccaneers, Tennessee's approach will be simple: keep the game tight and count on No. 10 to make something happen.

'I like the pressure,' admits the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006, when he won eight of his 13 starts. 'I've been in a lot of those situations, so I know how to handle them. While the defense is on the field, I'm talking to the coaches. And even though we might be going into a two-minute, I'm trying to come up with some of the plays in my mind.'

After Young led the Texas Longhorns to the 2005 national championship with a bravura performance against heavily favored Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, Tennessee drafted him third overall. He sat behind Kerry Collins until Week 4.

The Titans overcame a 2-7 start to finish 8-8 as Young threw for 2,199 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 552 yards and seven scores on the ground.

Tennessee won five games in which the score was either tied or Tennessee trailed in the fourth quarter, enhancing Young's reputation as a difference maker and confidence builder.

'That's probably the biggest thing he's done for them,' said Colts coach Tony Dungy, who is 2-1 against Young. 'When they're 14 points down or 17 down, they still believe they can win with him.'

While Young is still developing as a passer, he is making all the right moves when the game is on the line, completing 16 of 23 attempts in the fourth quarter this season.

'The kid is everything that is written about him,' Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. 'He's a very athletic, mobile quarterback that can throw it on a whim. His throwing motion is really sneaky because all of a sudden he's throwing 40 or 50 yards and it's a rifle to the receiver.'

Young is aided by the NFL's fourth-ranked ground game, but he's throwing to some of the most nondescript receivers in the league; Brandon Jones and Roydell Williams, a pair of 2005 draft picks, have combined for 22 receptions.

Behind a big, aggressive offensive line, the Titans run on 58 percent of their snaps and Young has never thrown more than 36 passes in a game. Tampa Bay's primary goal on defense will be to force Young into sure passing situations, apply pressure up front and generate turnovers.

'You see moments where maybe he wishes he had a throw here or there back, but he's not afraid to pull the trigger,' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. 'And when all hell breaks loose and he's got a chance to create with his legs, there's nobody like him that I know. He's a winner.'

To prepare for Young's elusiveness, the Bucs have watched tapes of their games against Michael Vick. But at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Young adds a size and physicality to the position the Bucs will deal with for the first time Sunday.

Young is on pace to throw 20 interceptions - and that's too many for Coach Jeff Fisher, who emphasizes ball control. Since 2004, the Titans are 3-21 when losing the turnover battle and Young is determined to play a smart game in quest of Tennessee's sixth consecutive road triumph.

As the face of a surging franchise and the No. 1 quarterback in the league in terms of jersey sales, Young shrugs off suggestions he is a running back masquerading in a quarterback's body.

'Everybody has their opinion of how I am as a player,' he said. 'All that matters is I know who I am as a player. My teammates, friends and family - they're what matters. It's a team effort ... offense, defense and special teams. Whoever has the ball last, offense or defense, we plan on going into the game and finishing it.'