The Rams' and new WR Titus Young
Mike Sando
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Titus Young caught all nine passes thrown his way for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, during a Detroit victory over the Seattle in 2012.
Yeah, the St. Louis Rams would take that kind of production against their division rival.
[wrapimg=right]http://i.imgur.com/i3xE0fo.png[/wrapimg]Recent evidence suggests they're unlikely to get it from Young, but they are willing to give the recently released receiver a chance, at least. They claimed Young off waivers from the Lions.
NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert recently wrote a post-mortem on Young's disappointing tenure with the Lions. The Lions benched Young early in the season after the receiver head-butted Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins during a game. Later, the team unofficially suspended Young for defying coaches. There has been more.
"Last month's bizarre set of tweets suggested Young has much work left to do," Seifert wrote. "Those of you who have been asking if the Minnesota Vikings, or any other team, should claim him are missing how serious of a situation he is in."
The Rams are bringing along young receivers in 2012 draft choices Chris Givens and Brian Quick. Adding a volatile young talent to the mix would seem to carry some risks. But the Rams can always release Young if the situation appears headed in the wrong direction. They're in the business of adding talent at receiver by any means necessary. They have a strong head coach, Jeff Fisher, who hasn't been afraid to draw a hard line with players, including when he benched Jenkins and Givens for a big game at San Francisco.
Young was the 43rd player chosen in the 2011 NFL draft. He caught 48 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. He caught 33 passes for 383 yards and four scores this past season.
Young ranks ninth in receiving yardage (990) among players drafted in 2011. Six players drafted lower than Young have more receiving yardage.
Still, Young clearly has talent. As a rookie, he caught 14 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown on third down alone. That's an 18.3-yard average.
It's telling that the Lions are releasing such a highly drafted player so quickly. The situation in Detroit had become untenable. Perhaps the Rams can do better with him.