Should the Vikings take a chance on Titus Young?
By Nam Huynh
Oct 28, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young (16) celebrates his game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Detroit won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Update: The Rams claimed Young off waivers, according to multiple sources.
For the NFL’s first official move on the first day that rosters are unfrozen, Monday the Lions released talented-but-troubled receiver Titus Young.
The Vikings need help at the receiver position.
If you aren’t familiar with Young, let this be a quick recap:
The Bad
Young has continuously voiced his displeasure on Twitter for his lack of playing time, asking for his release on several occasions. Here are a few examples:
"“Oh I’m not done, if y’all going to cut me let me go. I’m tired of the threats.”“Never needed the money Give me a dollar and a ball bet I come back #HallofFame”“Like I said I never been selfish but if I’m not going to get the football i don’t want to play anymore.”"
During his two-year stint in Detroit, Young has been sent home by the team on three different occasions—once for punching teammate Louis Delmas during an offseason workout program, then twice for repeated insubordinate behavior.
Young was suspended by the team at one point for purposely lining up wrong and running wrong routes in effort to sabotage the team’s passing game.
So why would Minnesota want this headache?
The Good
Apparently Young will play for a dollar—or a minimal risk, potentially high reward contract.
Young, 23, is a young and talented player who had 81 catches for 990 yards and 10 touchdowns in 26 games for the Lions after being drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
This guy would probably like the idea of playing against his former team at least twice a year.