The 30 Most Memorable Moments of the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles Season, #2: Vince Young’s Dream Team Comment
It was a moment that ranks as arguably the stupidest one-liner in the history of Philadelphia sports. It was the moment that made Vince Young go from one of my favorite non-Philadelphia athletes ever to one of my least favorite Philadelphia athletes ever. It was a moment that made me realize the Philadelphia Eagles better go deep in the playoffs in 2011, or they’re never going to hear the end of it.
During his introductory press conference in Philadelphia in July 2011, backup quarterback Vince Young was asked how he felt about the Eagles bringing in so many star players, like cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and defensive end Jason Babin, and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins.
Young called it a “dream team.”
“Nnamdi [Asomugha] to [Dominique Rodgers-]Cromartie, to Jason [Babin] to myself,” Young said, “I know they are going to do some more things. […] It’s just beautiful to see where we’re trying to go.”
Young’s quote may not have seemed so bad at first but I think every single person sitting under the tent for Young’s press conference knew that the team had a ridiculous amount of pressure put on them during the 2011 season because of Young’s one simple comment.
You just don’t talk about yourself until you’ve done something. That’s an unwritten rule in the National Football League, and it’s something that every team should follow.
Young didn’t, and when the Eagles lost four of their first five games to start the season, including three in a row on a blown fourth quarter lead, the Dream Team talk escalated.
It didn’t stop as the Eagles stumbled out to a 4-8 start. The Eagles won their final four games to avoid a losing record but they failed to qualify for the postseason, something that should be simply a formality for a team that is really a Dream Team.
It didn’t help that Young was beyond brutal in his three starts replacing injured quarterback Michael Vick. He did lead the Eagles to a dramatic late victory over the New York Giants to keep the season alive in week 11, but he played a big role in the Eagles getting crushed by the Patriots and the Seahawks in back-to-back weeks.
For the season, Young threw fourtouchdowns and nine interceptions, and posted a passer rating that was barely higher (60.8) than his completion percentage (57.9). The 28-year old former two-time Pro Bowler played so poorly that he put his career in jeopardy.
He hasn’t been signed yet this offseason, and I’m not sure he will ever again play in the NFL. It would be a nightmare ending to a very disappointing career.
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