Steve McNair to retire (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

April 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONFERENCE AT 1 PM

The Baltimore Ravens will hold a press conference today at 1 PM with QB Steve McNair, who will announce his retirement from the NFL. Joining McNair will be head coach John Harbaugh and GM Ozzie Newsome, along with longtime teammates WR Derrick Mason and CB Samari Rolle.

It's on the front page of the Ravens website: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

 

[higgins]

Class act

 

[obxlegends]

April 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONFERENCE AT 1 PM

The Baltimore Ravens will hold a press conference today at 1 PM with QB Steve McNair, who will announce his retirement from the NFL. Joining McNair will be head coach John Harbaugh and GM Ozzie Newsome, along with longtime teammates WR Derrick Mason and CB Samari Rolle.

It's on the front page of the Ravens website: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/

I am floored. I knew he was on his last legs, but he's been in town working out. I was just starting to buy into the hype that he could muster one more season.

 

[Jason Wood]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

I know that's going to be the overwhelming projection now, but I think the Ravens will consider a number of QBs in the 2nd round instead; depending on whether one of their top rated players is there at 8. Either way, it means Cam Cameron is going to have to work some magic with the likes of Kyle Boller, Troy Smith & ROOKIE

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Class act

One of my long time favorite players.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

I know that's going to be the overwhelming projection now, but I think the Ravens will consider a number of QBs in the 2nd round instead; depending on whether one of their top rated players is there at 8. Either way, it means Cam Cameron is going to have to work some magic with the likes of Kyle Boller, Troy Smith & ROOKIE

I think Smith should get a shot. He played decently for a rookie when given the chance last year.And let's be honest. The 2nd round QBs suck. There's Ryan, Brohm, and Henne and then everyone else - yes even Flacco.

 

[Jason Wood]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

I know that's going to be the overwhelming projection now, but I think the Ravens will consider a number of QBs in the 2nd round instead; depending on whether one of their top rated players is there at 8. Either way, it means Cam Cameron is going to have to work some magic with the likes of Kyle Boller, Troy Smith & ROOKIE

I think Smith should get a shot. He played decently for a rookie when given the chance last year.And let's be honest. The 2nd round QBs suck. There's Ryan, Brohm, and Henne and then everyone else - yes even Flacco.

Well I'm assuming Brohm and Henne ARE 2nd round picks, and I actually don't think either sucks.

 

[obxlegends]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

I know that's going to be the overwhelming projection now, but I think the Ravens will consider a number of QBs in the 2nd round instead; depending on whether one of their top rated players is there at 8. Either way, it means Cam Cameron is going to have to work some magic with the likes of Kyle Boller, Troy Smith & ROOKIE

I think Smith should get a shot. He played decently for a rookie when given the chance last year.

The word for sometime is that Ozzie and the gang are very enamored with Troy Smith. I didn't really buy it, but this goes a long way into showing exactly that. Either way, if a Matt Ryan is on the board then you have to pull the trigger Heisman Trophy winner or not.Or maybe, just maybe the McNabb to Baltimore trade is back on.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Helloooooooo Matt Ryan.

I know that's going to be the overwhelming projection now, but I think the Ravens will consider a number of QBs in the 2nd round instead; depending on whether one of their top rated players is there at 8. Either way, it means Cam Cameron is going to have to work some magic with the likes of Kyle Boller, Troy Smith & ROOKIE

I think Smith should get a shot. He played decently for a rookie when given the chance last year.And let's be honest. The 2nd round QBs suck. There's Ryan, Brohm, and Henne and then everyone else - yes even Flacco.

Well I'm assuming Brohm and Henne ARE 2nd round picks, and I actually don't think either sucks.

We're mostly in agreement. I don't think either suck either. My assumption is that they're not going to be available to the Ravens in the 2nd.

 

[Sweet Love]

Good person for the game. I was never a big fan or anything, but do think he carried himself extremely well both on and off the field.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

Good person for the game. I was never a big fan or anything, but do think he carried himself extremely well both on and off the field.

Agreed. The NFL loses a genuine good guy today............

 

[Mr Capicollo]

A couple of years too late.

 

[RBM]

One of my all time favorites.

It was def time though.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?

I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Upgrade Boller for this year.

Troy Smith is a sleeper.

Obviously the rookie pick will make a significant impact.

Harbaugh's fresh eyes means that he'll pick whomever does the best - which may be a strike against Boller (no Brian Billick push).

 

[Jason Wood]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

 

[millertyme1]

Not a minute too soon.

Not a fan of the player nor the man.

 

[RBM]

Not a minute too soon.

Not a fan of the player nor the man.

Why?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

I can buy that.In retrospect, the Titans look like geniuses for letting him go and not paying him what he asked for. Even if they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

 

[Jason Wood]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

I can buy that.In retrospect, the Titans look like geniuses for letting him go and not paying him what he asked for. Even if they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

True, but ultimately we can't judge that equation completely until we see Vince Young develop.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

I'm struggling to not remember him for the mediocrity of the last couple of years in Baltimore, and instead remember him for the salad days, when he was mediocre in Tennessee.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Good person for the game. I was never a big fan or anything, but do think he carried himself extremely well both on and off the field.

He was a great leader and teammate on the field and left it all out there. You have to respect that. Not sure I like the drunk driving issues, but they are what they are. Favre is still considered a great guy despite his battle with an addiction to painkillers. He certainly seemed pretty classy though and you never found him shooting off his mouth, even with the nonsense in Tennessee before he was released.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

I can buy that.In retrospect, the Titans look like geniuses for letting him go and not paying him what he asked for. Even if they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

True, but ultimately we can't judge that equation completely until we see Vince Young develop.

Why isn't Vince Young's development a separate issue from the decision to retain McNair? It seems like McNair's goose was cooked regardless, and the decision to see whether Young was the heir apparent was as solid as they get. Even if Young ends up busting, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't have dumped McNair. They needed to find out, and the only way that they could do that was to play Young.

 

[bigreese82]

Bet McNair will be headed to Tennessee in an advisory role. He flourished under the Dinger and VY is like a son to him

 

[Andy Dufresne]

In retrospect, the Titans look like geniuses for letting him go and not paying him what he asked for. Even if they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

True, but ultimately we can't judge that equation completely until we see Vince Young develop.

Why isn't Vince Young's development a separate issue from the decision to retain McNair? It seems like McNair's goose was cooked regardless, and the decision to see whether Young was the heir apparent was as solid as they get. Even if Young ends up busting, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't have dumped McNair. They needed to find out, and the only way that they could do that was to play Young.

That's my thinking as well. Vince Young has nothing to do with Steve McNair.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

And let's not forget that in 2006 the Ravens won several games on their way to 13-3 that I KNOW they would have lost the year before, in no small way because of McNair's leadership. He didn't light it up in Baltimore, but he gave the team some confidence when they had the ball.That being sad, I'm glad he's hanging it up. He has taken a terrible beating during his career & the cumulative effect of that has left him as a shell of his former self. I don't think the Ravens would be any better this year with McNair than they will without him.

 

[Slinger]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

 

[Jason Wood]

In retrospect, the Titans look like geniuses for letting him go and not paying him what he asked for. Even if they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

True, but ultimately we can't judge that equation completely until we see Vince Young develop.

Why isn't Vince Young's development a separate issue from the decision to retain McNair? It seems like McNair's goose was cooked regardless, and the decision to see whether Young was the heir apparent was as solid as they get. Even if Young ends up busting, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't have dumped McNair. They needed to find out, and the only way that they could do that was to play Young.

That's my thinking as well. Vince Young has nothing to do with Steve McNair.

Yeah, that's fair. I should heed my own advice. They are separate issues and no argument that the Titans were smart to not give in to McNair and redo his deal out of nostalgia.

 

[VTjkru]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

Just wondering, how so? And, good luck to McNair, he was a fun player to watch, very gritty!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

And away we go.........

 

[IM666]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

Is this fishing or a "homer" based point of view?

 

[sho nuff]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

Ummm...huh?

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

Well, "hypothetically", if the team were to ask McNair to return, he'd still be throwing bounce passes, so I'm not sure how much we have to compare.

 

[rufan]

This could be great news for the Jets. Baltimore might be willing to trade up to get Ryan. Carolina supposedly is very interested in Ryan as well. This makes the Jets pick at #6 very desirable for both teams. This is assuming that Ryan falls past the Chiefs.

 

[3nOut]

Congrats to McNair on a great career. But the question that now remains is how who will be the QB for the Raven's this year? Kyle Boller or a rookie? How does that affect Heap and the other WRs?

Not sure who benefits if Boller takes over, but my guess is that if a rookie like Ryan, Brohm or Henne take over, Heap would be the biggest benefactor as he would be used as a safety valve for any inexperienced QB.

 

[EBF]

Somewhere Derrick Mason is crying.

 

[foxco]

The injury reports just won't be the same without his name being listed as "Questionable" week after week after week...

 

[Uruk-Hai]

The injury reports just won't be the same without his name being listed as "Questionable" week after week after week...

I'm sure Ed Reed & Todd Heap can pick up the slack.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

The injury reports just won't be the same without his name being listed as "Questionable" week after week after week...

I'm sure Ed Reed & Todd Heap can pick up the slack.

And Tom Brady of course.

 

[roadkill1292]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

And let's not forget that in 2006 the Ravens won several games on their way to 13-3 that I KNOW they would have lost the year before, in no small way because of McNair's leadership. He didn't light it up in Baltimore, but he gave the team some confidence when they had the ball.

You and I continue to think alike. In the tough AFC, you have to take chances like that sometimes. Their window was closing a little bit at the time and he dang near put them over the top.

 

[Da Guru]

The injury reports just won't be the same without his name being listed as "Questionable" week after week after week...

I'm sure Ed Reed & Todd Heap can pick up the slack.

They had a good mentor.I remember when the Baltimore bus was involved in a accident. There were probably 60-70 people on it and McNair was the only one shaken up. The last few years McNair suffered from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

[Slinger]

Unlike Favre, McNair did this the right way. Kudos to McNair and his career in the NFL. He's a warrior.

Ummm...huh?

Welcome to America. I hope the E2L class helps out. All jokes aside, sorry for the minor hijack. Lets go back on the topic of hand, which is the wonderful career of Steve McNair and the impact his retirement will have on the Ravens.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

I think it was a calculated gamble though. McNair's play really fell off in Baltimore and, maybe they should've realized that he would be a big risk b/c of learning a new system, BUT they honestly thought they were a stable QB away from competing for a title. I think you have to separate each QB decision they've made. Signing McNair, to my mind, wasn't a bad decision AT ALL. Now whether you want to argue that keeping Boller at QB2 and only looking at Troy Smith at QB3 were mistakes in conjunction, I'm all for that.

And let's not forget that in 2006 the Ravens won several games on their way to 13-3 that I KNOW they would have lost the year before, in no small way because of McNair's leadership. He didn't light it up in Baltimore, but he gave the team some confidence when they had the ball.

You and I continue to think alike. In the tough AFC, you have to take chances like that sometimes. Their window was closing a little bit at the time and he dang near put them over the top.

I remember you & I talking about it after, I think, the SD game in '06. That's the one where McNair hit Heap for the game-winning TD at the end. I think we both posted "they'd have lost this one last year" at the same time.It wasn't that McNair turned into Dan Marino to bring them from behind in several games, but I think he exuded steadiness (real or perceived) that allowed the other players to relax & make plays - as opposed to Boller's my-pants-are-on-fire-and-I've-just-snorted-an-eightball nervousness.

 

[Couch Potato]

Somewhere Derrick Mason is crying.

Mason and Rolle will be with him at his retirement announcement later. i think that's cool.

 

[el centro]

Question: Did the Ravens help or hurt their franchise by allowing McNair to hang on with them for two years?I say hurt. Even though he helped them make the playoffs, it left them with Boller who was good enough to back up but not start, but then caused them to be lax in developing the proverbial "QB of the future."

My question would be: Why didn't the Ravens ask him to postpone the announcement 10-12 days? It would seem that the Ravens have ALL their cards on the table now, and the entire NFL knows their task - get a QB. Most mocks had BAL drafting Ryan @ 1.08 or moving up to 1.05 to snag him... I think they almost HAVE to move up to 1.02 to secure Ryan now! With the rumors STL & NOS discussing a trade, perhaps back to the 8th spot is much more appealing to the Rams which should still net them a pretty solid talent - perhaps even still getting Ellis.

 

[flapgreen]

I had a lot of joy watching McNair play over the years, especially being from the Nashville area. The guy embodied everything great that was great about the NFL and always left it all on the field. Thanks for the memories.

 

[Couch Potato]

Seems to me this is a team that needs to win now, with a still-solid but aging D, an old possession WR in Mason, Clayton entering his prime, Heap in his prime (if he can stay healthy), McGahee turning 27 during the season, etc.

I wouldn't want to wait 2-3 years before a rookie is ready to be playoff-worthy, Smith has little experience, and we know Boller is not the answer.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Leftwich end up here, or maybe even CPep, as the 2008 starter.

 

[softball]

Always loved McNair on the field, great player of the game.

His off the field issues were serious, and that's too bad.

This has Jimmy Smith written all over it IMO. He was working out and had been given the "he's the starter" only a few weks ago by Ozzie (IIRC).

Only SB I've attended, Rams/Titans. To say the least. It was fun to watch.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Wonder of Baltimore will try and move up now in the draft.