NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -When the Houston Texans passed over Vince Young in the NFL draft, the quarterback talked about wanting to beat up on his hometown team.

He has his first chance Sunday, but the Tennessee rookie has already learned a lesson: Don't feed the Houston bulletin board.

Young, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft, now says he's no more excited than usual for his fourth NFL start.

``It's my hometown team. Much love to Houston, but for a while I'm just ready to get back out there and continue where we left off,'' Young said.

Of course, a little trash-talking might help draw some attention to these two teams that are battling to stay out of the AFC South cellar.

The records aren't good, but there's still a rivalry between the Titans, who once called Houston home as the Oilers, and their replacement.

Adding Young to the mix can only spice up a series the Titans have dominated, winning six of the first eight games. The man who led the Texas Longhorns to a national championship is a hero in his home state. Houston fans lobbied the Texans to draft Young through full-page ads - even though the club already had a quarterback it liked in David Carr.

The Texans chose defensive end Mario Williams with the top pick, but Young's No. 10 Titans jersey has become a popular item in Houston.

``Some of my family, they've been saying how the stores are sold out of the 10 jerseys, things like that. I'm pretty sure I know why it's like that,'' Young said.

Then there's the fact Titans owner Bud Adams still lives in Houston and showed off Young at a news conference in Texas on draft day. Adams hasn't talked with Young yet about winning the game.

``I'm pretty sure he wants it,'' Young said.

The Titans (1-5) and Texans (2-4) both desperately need a win. Tennessee, coming off a bye, ended an eight-game skid by beating Washington 25-22. Houston is one win away from topping last season's victory total.

The Texans, who beat Jacksonville 27-7 last week for their second win in three games, have proven so far they really didn't need Young. Carr leads the NFL with a 70.3 percent completion rate and ranks behind only Peyton Manning in passer rating. Andre Johnson is leading the NFL in catches and yards receiving. Carr's passes are shorter, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt, and he's been sacked only once in each of their victories.

``They're getting Carr on the move some, getting him out of the pocket on bootlegs, and he can throw on the move,'' Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said.

Defending the pass has been the Titans' bright spot on defense, allowing 198.7 yards per game. Defending the run is a weakness for both teams, with each giving up 138 yards or more per game.

Houston is starting rookie Wali Lundy after he ran for 93 yards against the Jaguars. The Titans are going with the rejuvenated Travis Henry, who has rushed for 301 yards in the past two games.

The wild card will be Young, who is 1-2 through his first three starts. Houston coach Gary Kubiak said the Titans changed their offense to suit Young's strengths with some options and other runs, and the rookie has rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown.

``It's a whole new world for our guys from what they have seen the last few weeks, and we're going to have to respond to it,'' Kubiak said. ``We're definitely going to have to contain him.''

If Williams can take down Young and add to his 2 1/2 sacks, he knows that might help ease some of the criticism he faces in Houston from those who wanted either Young or Reggie Bush.

``With wins, its going to get better. That's basically all that the fans want,'' Williams said.

Young has shown he can stay in the pocket and hurt teams with his arm. Titans coach Jeff Fisher was impressed with how Young worked through his options against Washington, where he was 13-of-23 for 161 yards. Fisher isn't worried his rookie will be too excited or distracted.

``The bottom line is he wants to win games regardless of who he's playing against,'' Fisher said.

That doesn't mean Young hasn't thought of what he might do if he does beat the Texans.

``I'd probably jump into the stands and get excited with the fans, so I'm looking forward to that,'' he said.

Oops - that's one for the bulletin board.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.