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Young returns to Houston to face Texans

Dec 5, 2006 - 7:55 PM Tennessee (5-7) at Houston (4-8) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Vince Young lobbied for the Houston Texans to take him with the first pick in April's NFL draft.

Instead, the Houston native returns home as a member of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Born in Houston, Young became an even bigger star in his home state after leading Texas past Southern California in the Rose Bowl in last January's national championship game.

Three months later, the Texans passed on the chance to draft Young, opting to go with North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. The Titans were more than happy to take Young third overall.

"I am happy to be with the Titans and have an opportunity to come back and beat up on the Texans," Young said.

Titans owner Bud Adams, who moved the Oilers to Tennessee in 1997, also denied this draft pick was a slap at his old hometown, where he says he still owns a home and has 12 season tickets to Texans games.

"I don't know if the rivalry could be any more intense," Adams said. "I think this will be great for the people in Texas because they'll be able to see Vince play once a year."

Young already has one win over the Texans, leading the Titans to a 28-22 victory on October 29. He completed just 7-of-15 passes for 87 yards, but he threw a 20-yard TD pass to Bobby Wade and scrambled 20 yards for a score in the first quarter.

Young is the cornerstone for the improving Titans, who have won three straight and five of their last seven games following an 0-5 start.

It has been Young leading the way for the Titans. Two weeks ago, he directed an improbable 21-point fourth-quarter rally in a win over the New York Giants before he led the Titans to a surprising 20-17 triumph over Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.

Against the Colts, Young completed 15-of-25 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also rushed for 75 yards in improving to 5-4 as a starter.

The Texans are seeking their first winning streak of the season after posting a 23-14 victory at Oakland last Sunday.

Houston, which has not won consecutive games since 2004, was able to beat Oakland despite David Carr completing just 7-of-14 passes for 32 yards. He failed to complete a pass in the final 32 minutes.