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Young wins first game as Titans top Redskins

Oct 15, 2006 - 9:01 PM LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- Vince Young has his first NFL win.

Young threw for a touchdown and Travis Henry ran for a career-high 178 yards and a score as the Tennessee Titans won their first game of the season with a 25-22 triumph over the disappointing Washington Redskins.

Selected third overall in April's draft after leading Texas to the national championship last season, Young nearly led the Titans (1-5) to a win over Peyton Manning and Indianapolis in his second career start in last Sunday's 14-13 loss.

Young got the job done a week later as he completed 13-of-25 passes for 161 yards, including a three-yard TD pass to Brandon Jones in the second quarter.

"He's a competitor," Jones said of Young. "He sits in the locker room after losses and today he won't be sitting in the locker room for long because we got a good W. He just continues to progress. You can tell he's getting more comfortable. He's becoming a leader.

"Losing isn't a part of his thing, and that's the reason we were able to pull this game out."

In the fourth quarter, Young also showed the poise of a seasoned veteran.

After Clinton Portis ran four yards for a touchdown and the Redskins converted a two-point conversion to tie the game at 22-22, Young led Tennessee on a six-play, 30-yard drive.

Rob Bironas, who kicked three field goals, converted a 30-yarder with 5:11 remaining to give the Titans a 25-22 lead.

"Vince focused all week," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "I think he was a little unsettled, obviously, after the game last week. He understands that it's a process and the way you work yourself through the process is you just work. That's what he did all week and it paid off. He looked like a veteran quarterback early in the game with his decisions and his accuracy."

"I don't think Vince is at a lack for confidence. He expects to win, so he met his expectation today. He understands that every week is a challenge and he's got his heart and his head set on getting better."

Henry provided the punch in the running game to complement Young. He carried 32 times and his two-yard TD run capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive that gave the Titans a 20-14 lead in the third quarter.

"Every time me and Travis step on the field we say, 'Let's help each other,'" Young said. "The good things he does helps me out in the passing game, and the good things I do helps him out in the running game. Basically, it's vice versa, and the offensive line is doing a good job, too. As you can see, we're getting better each week."

It was Henry's second straight 100-yard rushing game after being inactive two weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys.

"The running game set the tone with what we did last week against Indy," Henry said. "Coming into Washington and having a repeat just lets people know we're for real. Our offensive line blocked great and I just went to my aiming point, made my reads, and just let my natural ability take over. I got a good chance to get in my rhythm. Once I got in my rhythm, we were able to pile up some yards."

Portis also scored on a 10-yard run for the Redskins (2-4), who are in last place in the NFC East. Washington visits unbeaten Indianapolis next Sunday.

"This was a huge, bitter disappointment for us," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "It's all of us together, and certainly that starts with me. ... We reviewed last night how they took the ball right down the field to score against Indy. They played a heck of a ballgame last week against them. I think our guys understood what we were up against. We just couldn't make the plays today to win the ballgame."

Fisher, on the other hand, felt the Titans were due.

"I just think it's real important right now that our club understands how this feels because it's been a long time and they deserved to win this game today based on their effort," he said.

"Coach always says just stay poised," Young said. "No matter what happens, all you have to do is finish, and we finished today."