Mcnair's first practice

[Tiz]

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/MGAHJICABCCD/061306SteveMcNair2.jpg

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article.jsp?id=10395

June 13, 3:15 p.m.

No. 9 hit the field loose and ready to play, even though it may have been a little odd to him at first to see himself in purple.

After two pitches to Jamal Lewis and a handoff to Mike Anderson, Steve McNair hit Todd Heap in the flat for his first completion as a Raven. Granted, it was only during casual warm-up drills, but it was nice to see the new starter hit the Ravens' all-time receiving leader to kick things off.


The quarterback admitted that his practice as a whole was a little sloppy at times, but what can you expect when he is throwing to completely new receivers for the first time.

"It makes it tough, especially when you spend 11 years with one organization," said McNair. "I'm used to doing things one way, and it's kind of hard to drop that and put this offense in mind.

"I think today I used one of my calls from last year that I had with the Titans," he continued with a laugh.

Today was a good start, though. McNair managed a very basic first team offense well, giving way to Kyle Boller and Brian St. Pierre for the two-minute and red zone drills. McNair found fellow former Titan Derrick Mason on a 60-yard bomb during seven-on-seven work, and consistently checked down through his progressions to find tight ends Heap and Dan Wilcox.

"I told the guys to just be patient, you know?" McNair said. "But this is fun. I'm just glad to be back on the field."

As McNair spoke to the media after practice, it was obvious he was grateful to be back on the field. He carried a wide grin on his face, but remained humble. He was affable and forthcoming with the 15 or so reporters surrounding him on the edge of the practice field

[DallasNiner]

Did he make any comments about having to wear that ugly ### purple? :whistling: :laugh:
I'm actually excited to see him playing with a decent team.

[Eric 80]

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/MGAHJICABCCD/061306SteveMcNair2.jpg


That just doesn't look right.

[Eric 80]

he said it could be worse, he could be in San Francisco....
Or worse yet Texas.

[Eric 80]

no this doesn't look right

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41158000/jpg/_41158014_day4.jpg
It just doesn't seem right to me that McNair is in a different uniform, no matter the team. It's odd.

[DallasNiner]

Or worse yet Texas.
Yeah that would be terrible. If McNair were a cowboy I think they'd be in the SB....which I would really hate to see happy cowgirl fans.

[Fez]

"He showed up with his body wrapped up of polyester foam"... :surrender: :tung:

[DallasNiner]

"He showed up with his body wrapped up of polyester foam"... :surrender: :tung:
Fezzy you bully you. :laugh:

[low_N_breezy]

no this doesn't look right

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41158000/jpg/_41158014_day4.jpg
:falldownlaugh: :falldownlaugh:

He looks like hes about to shot put the ***** thing:falldownlaugh:

[Fez]

<--- picks up phone and calls 411. "Sevry please"


"My mom says the pads you gave me weren't enough..." :falldownlaugh:

[Eric 80]

:falldownlaugh: :falldownlaugh:

He looks like hes about to shot put the ***** thing:falldownlaugh:
Look at his eyes, he's just about to be hit.

[Eric 80]

Yeah that would be terrible. If McNair were a cowboy I think they'd be in the SB....which I would really hate to see happy cowgirl fans.
I wasn't talking about being on a team there.:nana:

[DallasNiner]

I wasn't talking about being on a team there.:nana:
:slap: :laugh:

[PowerfulDragon]

http://www.prosportspictures.com/images/kansas-city-chiefs/montana-kansas-city-chiefs-sm.jpg

trust me, i understand.

LOL.

[DallasNiner]

Wouldn't it be funny if Kyle Boller beat him out of the spot in training camp? :whistling: :laugh:

[Tigger49]

McNair has 'mishaps' in first Ravens practice

NFL.com wire reports

OWINGS MILLS (June 13, 2006) -- Steve McNair has three months to learn a new football language. He took his first tentative step when he practiced with the Baltimore Ravens.

"It's mind boggling right now," said McNair, who signed a five-year contract. "I think the verbiage is the most important thing right now. Once I can feel comfortable and visualize the formation and the routes that they're running, things will be OK." But, he added, "It's like starting all over again."

The Ravens traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for McNair, sending the veteran quarterback back to the classroom for his most urgent cram session since he entered the league 11 years ago. The Ravens will open the regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, McNair often appeared hesitant. He completed his first pass in team drills to tight end Todd Heap, but struggled at hitting receivers in stride. One late, errant pass was nearly intercepted, but defensive back Robb Butler dropped the football.

"He was thinking a lot," Ravens coach Brian Billick said of McNair, a 2003 NFL co-Most Valuable Player. "He looked a little like a rookie coming out here. Obviously, he's got a lot to absorb right now."

McNair acknowledged that the experience was a bit confusing and that it felt a bit strange to wear a No. 9 purple jersey after spending his career with Tennessee.

The Titans plays kept flashing through his head.

"I had a few mishaps out there," McNair said. "I think I used one of my calls I had last year with the Titans. I told the guys to just be patient with me."

McNair plans to meet regularly with offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, who adjusted his vacation plans to get McNair up to speed before training camp in Westminister, Md., on July 30.

One major point of emphasis for McNair will be learning the Ravens' pass-protection schemes. That's for his own safety.

"A confused quarterback is usually confronted with a barrage of blitzes. If he's confused about protections, that's when he's going to get whacked," Fassel said.

The Ravens plan to accommodate their offense to suit McNair's strengths. Entering his 12th season, McNair usually operates as a pocket passer.

"Learning a new system is a lot easier for a receiver than a quarterback, but I don't think it will take him that long," said Derrick Mason, who led Baltimore in receptions last season after eight seasons playing with McNair and the Titans. "He's shown the ability to adapt."


****************

i don't like NFL.com's version of the story. They make it sound so bad. LOL

I find that so funny, the Redskins are dumb enough to give the 49ers a 3rd and 4th round pick for Brandon Lloyd, and the Ravens are smart enough to gain McNair for just a 4th rounder. Lloyd is a good player, but McNair is certainly better and doesn't have an attitude problem. Washington needs to take some notes from some of their neighboring cities.

[DallasNiner]

God...Steve McNair looks so bad in a Baltimore Ravens uniform.:nonono:
I'm glad he managed to get away from the titans. They were treating him terrible after all he's done for the freaking franchise...I hope they go 0-16.

[Eric 80]

I find that so funny, the Redskins are dumb enough to give the 49ers a 3rd and 4th round pick for Brandon Lloyd, and the Ravens are smart enough to gain McNair for just a 4th rounder. Lloyd is a good player, but McNair is certainly better and doesn't have an attitude problem. Washington needs to take some notes from some of their neighboring cities.
I wouldn't exactly call the Ravens smart. The Titans would of had to cut McNair eventually and then the Ravens could have picket him up without giving up any draft pick.

In this case the early bird didn't get the worm.

[BigB_85]

I find that so funny, the Redskins are dumb enough to give the 49ers a 3rd and 4th round pick for Brandon Lloyd, and the Ravens are smart enough to gain McNair for just a 4th rounder. Lloyd is a good player, but McNair is certainly better and doesn't have an attitude problem. Washington needs to take some notes from some of their neighboring cities.
Speaking of the Redskins draft picks, i think they traded away almost all of their first day picks and only ended up with 1. I am not sure why they usually trade away draft picks for veterens....