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QB Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens

HT: 6-2, WT: 224, Born: 2-14-1973, College: Alcorn State, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3

2008 Projections

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - McNair had a shaky first quarter, turning the ball over twice on fumbles. He also fumbled on the first possession of the second half, and threw a crucial fourth quarter INT with his team leading by a point. Playing behind a weakened offensive line (which got weaker when starting LT Jonathan Ogden left the game in the second quarter with a lingering toe injury); McNair struggled against a heavy pass rush most of the night. The Ravens QB was often hurried, and though he was dropped for a loss only twice, he fumbled the ball away on both sacks.

McNair suffered a groin injury early in the game and played valiantly despite being in obvious pain. Early on, he went to the sidelines to be re-taped, which seemed to help for awhile. But by the fourth quarter, McNair was limping and grimacing noticeably, and he eventually turned the reins over to backup QB Kyle Boller with less than five minutes remaining. While he was in the game, McNair spread the ball around, throwing to eight different receivers. His favorite targets were WR Derrick Mason and WR Demetrius Williams. TE Todd Heap was targeted a handful of times, but WR Mark Clayton was almost a forgotten man (though he did get one end zone look). RB Willis McGahee had his three receptions in the third quarter; his involvement in the passing game was limited because he frequently had to stay in to protect McNair.

Week 3 - McNair had a great game, but only played the first three quarters because the team wanted to rest his already sore groin, and head coach Brian Billick didn't want to risk further injury to him. While he was in the game he was very effective, throwing the ball with a high degree of accuracy and generally running the offense efficiently. His favorite target was far and away his longtime teammate, wide receiver Derrick Mason. It was Mason that McNair hooked up with for the lone offensive touchdown of the game, a 13 yard strike in the second quarter. The hamstring tweak was reported to be minor, but is something to note as he was forced to leave game action despite Arizona's ongoing (and successful) bid to make a comeback.

Week 4 - McNair came into the game nursing a groin injury that clearly took its toll on him. Twice he had Demetrius Williams open in the corner of the end zone and on both times, McNair threw off of his back foot and missed Williams. While the Browns did not have much of a pass rush working, the few times they did hit McNair he came up limping. For most of the game, his throws were short patterns, and he did not attack deep downfield. The longest pass play of the day was a dump pass in the flat to Willis McGahee, one that ultimately went for 30 yards thanks to McGahee's running ability. Kyle Boller was spotted warming up on the sideline late in the third quarter but the Ravens decided to stick with McNair for the whole game.

Week 5 - McNair went 29 of 43 for 214 yards with no scores or interceptions. He ran the ball four times for ten yards. Though there were 43 passing attempts, very few of these were longer than ten yards. He often settled for his check down option in this one, and showed an unwillingness to stand in and look down field. McNair did not show sound mechanics on many of his throws, making him inaccurate throughout the contest. At this stage of his career, he is displaying below average mobility and can't be counted on for many rushing yards anymore.

Week 6 - McNair suited up, but did not play. No official word was given on the status of his back injury, but the Ravens were clearly playing it safe against a weak opponent and letting him heal.

Week 7 - McNair stayed on the bench during the game. He is expected to return as starting quarterback after the Ravens' bye.

Week 9 - McNair had a miserable first half as he was only seven for 13 for only 40 yards passing, including three turnovers, two fumbles and an interception. He leads the league in lost fumbles. The Steelers' offensive line harassed McNair all of the first half as they got good pressure on him and sacked him three times. McNair looked out of sync and had trouble finding open receivers. As a result, he often held onto the ball too long. McNair really looked old and beat up, as his passes lacked zip and he seemed unwilling to look down field for bigger plays. He seemed content to dump the ball off for short passes, and he did not complete a pass longer then nine yards in the game. McNair didn't fare any better in the third quarter and was pulled early in the fourth quarter.

Week 10 - McNair committed three turnovers, one interception and two fumbles to hamstring the Baltimore Ravens offense and was replaced in the fourth quarter by Kyle Boller. McNair posted 128 yards on 17 for 26 passing and six rushing yards on his way to what may have been his last performance in the NFL as a starter.