Rat Birds bag McNair

by Brad Wells on Jun 7, 2006 7:02 PM EDT in News

It's official: Steve McNair is now a Baltimore Rat Bird, pending a physical. In my opinion, this immediately vaults Baltimore past Pittsburgh and Cincy in the AFC North. No disrespect to either the Bengals or Steelers, but if McNair is healthly, and that's a big if, he gives the Ravens exactly what they have lacked since they erroneously cut Trent Dilfer lose six year prior: solid QB play. McNair played well for a bad Tennessee team last year. Baltimore has some serious weapons on offense, starting with LT Jonathan Ogden, RB Jamal Lewis, and newly acquired RB Mike Anderson. Todd Heap is still a dangerous TE, and the Ravens have some good receivers. One of them is Derrick Mason, who used to be McNair's go-to guy when they both played for the Titans. Then, there's Baltimore's defense which added DT/DE Trevor Pryce this off-season.

John Clayton of ESPN sums this signing up best:

McNair gives the Ravens a chance to challenge the Steelers and Bengals in the AFC North, and his addition puts them on the map again as far as the playoffs are concerned. As much as [Terrell] Owens signing in Dallas changed the balance of power in the NFC, McNair's arrival in Baltimore could have just as big of an impact on the AFC.

This signing is indeed very, very big. It's one that's had me worried for a while. One of the main things that has held Baltimore back (other than the incompetence of head coach Brian Billick) is the QB play. Now, they get a proven playmaker when he's healthy.

What does this mean for the Colts? Well, it seems to assure that Tennessee will stink even more this year than last, and last year they won 4 games. The Colts do not play Baltimore during the regular season, but if both teams are fortunate enough to battle in the playoffs:

Oh, momma!

Baltimore fans hate the Colts more than any other fan base hates the Colts. That's right. They hate Indy more than New England does. Patriots fans hate Peyton Manning, but not necessarily the Colts. Rat Bird fans hate the Colts. This is a big signing indeed.

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asdf

Maybe I'm not seeing something, but I just don't think McNair can stay healthy enough to really be much of a factor past mayebt he first half of the season - that's assumign he still has the tools. I know the Titans were pretty bad last year, but even when McNair got the time he didn't seem to be the old Air McNair.

Who knows, maybe the 2006 version of McNair is enough to really imrpove the Ravens, but I don't see it.

When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.

by jdb on Jun 7, 2006 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

Yes we do

"Baltimore fans hate the Colts more than any other fan base hates the Colts. That's right. They hate Indy more than New England does. Patriots fans hate Peyton Manning, but not necessarily the Colts. Rat Bird fans hate the Colts. This is a big signing indeed."

Indeed. We hate you. Not as much as we hate the Steelers, though. In fact, we really don't hate you. Unless we are over 50 and have some sort of attachment to the Bolts. We who are under 40 are Ravens fans though and could care less about the Irsays.

by abrazell on Jun 8, 2006 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

Abrazell

What are your feelings regarding acquiring Steve McNair?

Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Jun 8, 2006 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions

McNair

I think it gives the offense some credibility for the first time, I think, ever. Even Dilfer whome everyone loves to throw up as the Raven's biggest mistake in letting go wasn't a credible QB. I still don't think he is - not to build an offense around. McNair is about to get a 5 year deal with an $11m signing bonus and if he stays healthy (that is an if), then building an offense around him makes the Ravens credible for the first time. It also gives young Boller a chance to learn, something he never had a chance to do.

Add Derrick Mason in the mix and it's looking like the Baltimore Titans. ;)

by abrazell on Jun 8, 2006 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

Baltimore Titans

How funny is that! I remember the bad blood between them. I remember Ray Lewis ripping the ball from Eddie George in a playoff game, and take it back for a TD.

I think Dilfer was a fine QB for Baltimore, and it was a huge mistake to let him go. Especially when you consider that Elvis Grbac was a complete bust for them. After he left them, he left football altogether.

The offense was already built, minus a QB. now, they have a QB. Baltimore will be very dangerous in 2006.

Also Abrazell, SB Nation has no Baltimore Ravens site. We do have Steelers, Bengals, and Browns sites. A Ravens site would round out the AFC North.

Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Jun 8, 2006 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions