QB McNair brings optimism to Baltimore
By Bernard Aguinaldo
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) —Linebacker Ray Lewis is smiling again. Credit Steve McNair for that.
Lewis wants to experience the joy of winning the Super Bowl again. But the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn’t believe that was going to happen anytime soon with Kyle Boller at quarterback.
Coach Brian Billick and offensive coordinator Jim Fassel apparently agreed. Hence the move to acquire McNair from the Tennessee Titans in June.
“Playing against him all those years I can tell you that players have the utmost respect for him and all he did for that football team,” Lewis said. “To me, the Titans were Steve McNair and Eddie George. They were tough, they were players everybody respected. Competing against guys like that is what it’s all about. When they play for your team, it’s even better.”
McNair, 33, led the Titans to the first Super Bowl in franchise history in 2000 and compiled a record of 81-59 as a starter.
But his high salary cap number and health issues forced the Titans to make a change at quarterback. They selected Texas quarterback Vince Young with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft to serve as McNair’s heir apparent, although Young is not quite ready yet.
But McNair is ready to turn the Ravens back into a Super Bowl contender. Since winning the Super Bowl in the 2000 season, the Ravens have compiled just a 42-38 record.
Last season, the Ravens finished 6-10, including 0-8 on the road, despite ranking fifth in defense. Boller, a first-round pick in 2003, continued to struggle, passing for 1,799 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Titans were just 4-12, but McNair could hardly be faulted for that. He threw for 3,161 yards and 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and made the Pro Bowl for the third time. But only three teams allowed more points than the Titans.
“I’m just happy to be on a team with a great defense,” McNair said. “Everybody says I’m the savior for this team, but this team is the savior for me because I’m in a situation that everybody wishes to be in.”
Just three years ago, McNair was named as the NFL’s co-MVP after passing for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
One of his targets then was Derrick Mason, who now is in his second year with the Ravens.
“It’s great to play with Steve again,” Mason said. “He’s adjusting here pretty quickly and we got some good guys to spread the ball around with.”
Mark Clayton, a first-round pick in 2005, and tight end Todd Heap are the other top receivers. It could especially be a big season for Heap. Last season, three of Tennessee’s tight ends - Ben Troupe, Erron Kinney and Bo Scaife - combined for 147 receptions.
“We are drawing off his experience,” Heap said of McNair. “He knows how to direct an offense and move the chains.”
McNair even put his legs to work in a preseason game, scoring on a six-yard run against the New York Giants.
“I told him he was too old to do that,” Billick said. “But that’s what he does. He’s an incredible competitor and we’re delighted to have that on this team.”
