Skeptics remain restless, but Young is proving value

Vince Young is no draft risk.

I didn't say it. Jerry Rhome did. And you better pay attention because not only was Rhome an accomplished quarterback and rock-solid NFL assistant, but he's now Vince Young's tutor.

He has been the past two months, flying from his Atlanta home to Houston to work with Young on his passing, his footwork, his drops from center, his decision-making, you name it. When I caught up with Rhome he was packing Monday for another trip -- this time to work with Young in preparation for a workout Friday with the Houston Texans.

Everyone knows VY can run, but questions remain about whether he can throw. (Getty Images)

The Texans aren't expected to draft him; they seem zeroed in on Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush instead. But that's not the point. There are many, many others willing to spend millions on Vince Young, and Rhome is here to tell them they should be.

In fact, he's here to tell them more. Much more.

"I'd be excited if I were the club that had a chance to draft him," said Rhome, the 1964 Heisman runner-up, "because of all the upside he has. He hasn't even scratched the surface. I just think you have a guy where it's all in front of him."

Rhome isn't alone in his opinion. Two weeks ago Young held a workout attended by more than 100 NFL scouts, coaches and executives. Among them was Houston owner Bob McNair, who introduced himself to the quarterback prior to the 30-minute session.

All were there to see what Young had to offer. They'd seen videotapes of his astonishing Rose Bowl performances, but Young didn't throw at the February scouting combine, and there were all these questions ... OK, all these doubts ... about the guy.

Could he take a snap from center? How comfortable was he out of the shotgun? How quickly could he make decisions? And what was up with that awkward throwing motion?

Then Young went through the drills. He threw from three-step drops. And five. And seven. He threw short passes. He threw deep passes. He threw to the sidelines. He threw across the middle.

In all, he threw 57 passes and completed all but a handful.

"It was a great workout," said Rhome. "I said a little prayer before it all happened, and I was proud of him. He had fun with it. You could see it. The guy rises to the occasion when the pressure is on him. He put on a show."

The workout was a microcosm of Young's illustrious collegiate career. Rewind the tape to the 2005 Rose Bowl, and you find Young producing 372 yards and five touchdowns in a come-from-behind 38-37 win. Then fast-forward to this year's national championship game, and there is Young again -- this time running for 200 yards, throwing for another 267 and scoring three times in a 41-38 come-from-behind victory.