Ravens could be interested in McNair if he is released

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Ravens monitoring McNair's situation with Titans

By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

When the Tennessee Titans released wide receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle for salary cap reasons in the spring of 2005, the Baltimore Ravens quickly snapped up the two Pro Bowl performers, signing each to lucrative long-term contracts.

Tennessee Titans

And now, league sources said on Tuesday evening, Ravens officials are hoping lightning strikes thrice.

Determined to add a veteran quarterback to their training camp mix, to either bump incumbent starter Kyle Boller from the top spot on the depth chart or force the Ravens' 2003 first-round draft choice to produce at a higher standard, Baltimore officials for weeks have been monitoring the status of Tennessee starter Steve McNair. In the wake of Tuesday's news, that the Titans have told McNair that he cannot work out at the club's facility until his sticky contract situation is resolved, the Ravens' interest has been further piqued.

There remains a chance that, without a contract readjustment, the Titans will release McNair and make him a free agent. And if that occurs, Baltimore is the most likely landing spot for him to resume his career.

The Ravens have been seeking an alternative to Boller for much of the offseason and, until Tuesday, much of the focus had been on Kerry Collins, released by the Oakland Raiders last month. Collins flourished in New York under Jim Fassel, when the Baltimore offensive coordinator was head coach of the Giants, and conventional wisdom suggested a possible reunion.

But while there have been discussions with Collins and his agent, the Ravens have yet to strike a deal, and Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome told ESPN.com last week he was in no hurry yet to acquire a challenger for Boller. Also, last week, Ravens coach Brian Billick noted that there were still some scenarios around the league in which veteran quarterbacks might yet become available.

Neither Newsome nor Billick specifically cited McNair, but it is no secret that the Ravens will seriously consider signing him if he is eventually released.

"Right now, the way I see it, I've got the job in the league," Newsome said last week. "There aren't any other teams left out there where you can say to an agent or [a quarterback], 'Look, you can come in here and win the job.' There's one opening, and I've got it, and there are a lot of guys out there."

Obviously embarrassed by the events of Tuesday, which are believed to have been orchestrated by owner Bud Adams, the Titans issued a release terming the situation "entirely a risk management problem and not a reflection on the enormous respect we have [for McNair]."

Essentially, the Titans fear that McNair could be injured in their offseason program, and that they would liable for the $10 million in total compensation he is due for the 2006 campaign.

Tennessee, which owns the third overall choice in the draft, likely will select a quarterback. Team officials on Monday conducted a private workout with Southern California star Matt Leinart, who was coached for two seasons by current Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

The Ravens on Monday continued to consider alternatives, too, meeting with University of Texas standout Vince Young at team headquarters.

Baltimore currently has only two quarterbacks, Boller and Brian St. Pierre, on its roster. St. Pierre has played in just one game, and registered one pass attempt, in his career. Last year's top backup, Anthony Wright, who started seven games when Boller was injured, is an unrestricted free agent and the Ravens have made no attempt to re-sign him.

Billick said last week that the inconsistent and oft-criticized Boller, who has logged 34 starts in his three seasons, "is going to be pretty good." But he also noted: "How good? Do you not look at other options? Of course not."

One of the options on which the Ravens will cast a keen eye is McNair, who has played his entire career with the Titans franchise, who has 131 starts, and who was named co-most valuable player in the league in 2003. McNair, 33, has said he feels he can play several more productive seasons. His agent, James "Bus" Cook, on Tuesday night reiterated that it could be difficult for McNair to play again in Tennessee after essentially being banned from the team's practice facility.

[spjets]

i heard this last week....

that would be a great place for him

[SoFlaJets]

all signs are starting to point to one thing in Tenn-Matt Leinart-

could it be the reason they re-signed Billy Volek was(is) to have the kid sit back there and watch Volek for most of the year and if it ain't going so well pull an Eli Manning deal and give him the reigns half way through?

[PeterNorth09]

Why can't we go after McNair? Why do we have to settle for brokeback Chad Pennington and barely decent Patrick Ramsey? I'd feel a whole lot better about the Jets next year if Steve McNair was our starter.