Manning remembers being "Young"

It was interesting hearing Peyton Manning talk about the ups and downs of his rookie season earlier this week when the topic of Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young came up. Manning was thrown in the fire, and left there getting extremely hot, faster than most rookies.

Young doesn't have the same skills as Manning -- he's a better runner, sure, but has yet to prove he can throw in the NFL -- but if he possesses any of Manning's persevering nature, he stands a chance of excelling in the league. I might be in the minority, but I think putting Young at the controls of a bad Titans team will help him learn without massive pressure on his shoulders. No question, there's pressure on a No.1 draft pick, but not the pressure that comes with leading a contender.

"I'm not speaking for any other team, but being a No.1 pick -- and I hope this doesn't offend anybody -- I knew I wasn't coming to a great football team," Manning said. "That's just kind of part of the deal of being a No.1 pick. You don't want to lose, but you know you have the chance to be the underdogs most games."

For more of Manning's observations about Young's situation, check out my column from Saturday's paper.