There’s no denying that Steve McNair is a significant upgrade over Kyle Boller. However, many Ravens fans curb their enthusiasm because of the concerns surrounding the offensive line as well as McNair’s history of injury. Over the past 3 seasons, McNair has played in 38 of 50 games. During the same period, Kyle Boller has been available for 37 of 49 games.
When examining McNair and then questioning his ability to stay healthy, there are other things that have to be factored in as well. First, McNair did not have the caliber of players in Tennessee at the skill positions that he will enjoy here in Baltimore. Without a talented supporting cast, particularly the lack of a game breaker in the backfield or on the outside, defenses could afford to take their shots at McNair.
Secondly, McNair has not been supported by a rushing attack the way that Kyle Boller has. Over the past three seasons beginning with 2005 and ending in 2003, the Titans rushing attack has finished 23rd, 14th and 26th (21st on average). Comparatively speaking, the Ravens have finished 21st, 9th and 1st (10th on average).
It would be naïve to think that McNair can play in all 16 games this season given his recent history. Boller will see time behind center and without the pressure of being No. 1, Boller could shine in limited action. We just might see one of the weakest starting QB’s become one of the best backups.
According to Vic Carucci, a guest on GAMETIME and staff writer for NFL.com, there is one member of the Titans’ staff that isn’t crying in his beer over the departure of Steve McNair. Carucci writes, “As the Titans’ rookie offensive coordinator in 2005, Chow struggled. He hardly resembled an offensive mastermind, which was the reputation he enjoyed while helping USC win multiple national championships. Chow had all sorts of struggles in making the jump to the next level, a challenge he admitted publicly was tougher than he anticipated. The Titans didn’t run well. They didn’t provide McNair with much protection or ever generate an offense with true game-breaking threats. Chow’s biggest problem, though, was an inability to connect with his veteran quarterback.”
Seems to me that Chow would have wanted McNair around. Given the Titans’ free agent spending spree this offseason coupled with the eccentricities of the unpredictable Bud Adams, a losing season resulting from a struggling offense could send the collegiate offensive mastermind packing. Something to keep in mind – was Chow’s success at the collegiate level the result of his X’s and O’s prowess or what it simply a case of having superior talent?
The lady responsible for Ben Roethlisberger’s accident has been exposed. Thanks in part to the slick undercover but highly irresponsible work of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the 62 year old woman’s identity is now well known and she’s predictably the target of threatening phone calls. Thankfully the Steelers are spinning Big Ben’s injuries in such a way that the Steelers’ faithful embrace the notion that their QB will be ok for the season opener and that takes pressure of the remorseful woman. But what if he isn’t? What if Roethlisberger struggles and blames his failure on poor conditioning? If you think this unfortunate bad driver is being harassed now…
On ESPN.com this week, Matt Williamson from Scouts, Inc. breaks down the AFC North. Here are a few of the notable comments from Williamson for each of the division’s teams followed by my rebuttal in italics:
Pittsburgh Steelers
“[The Steelers] lost Jerome Bettis to retirement and three starters who provided valuable leadership to free agency. If any team in the league can overcome losing veteran leadership, it is Pittsburgh, which is loaded with high-character players and one of the most stable organizations in all of sports.”
Santonio Holmes is doing his best to undermine that now isn’t he?
“WR Hines Ward’s value on the field and in the locker room is greater than ever and he is one of the players Pittsburgh needs to stay healthy.”
Some things you take for granted – like Ward playing every game. Suppose he doesn’t get up from one of those hits with a smile?
“TE Heath Miller is a star in the making, and his role should expand in his second season.”
He’s also a player the Ravens struggled to cover in 2005. Word is Will Demps still hasn’t seen him.
“The offensive line returns every starter. It is a stable, upper-tier unit that now has depth after the previous two drafts.”
A stout line is a more practical way to establish offensive efficiency. It allows for less regarded skill position talent to excel (see Willie Parker).
Cincinnati Bengals
“Palmer’s health is the determining factor for the Bengals this season. If he can’t make it back promptly and is tentative once he returns, Cincinnati could finish last in the AFC North. His presence is that significant.”
One only has to look towards his back up to fully embrace the validity of this comment. A 1-3 start is a very real possibility even with a less than 100% Palmer.
“The defense has been gashed by the inside run, and there probably isn’t a worse weakness to have in this division, but the acquisition of Sam Adams is gigantic.”
The Bengals hope that there’s more to Adam’s being gigantic than his not so slim physique.
Cleveland Browns
“Cleveland has talented weapons. The big-play capabilities of this offense will hinge on the health of Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards — two phenomenal young talents. Frye will surely have growing pains and make quite a few plays he shouldn’t make, but he is smart, competitive and has the confidence of his teammates. The Browns are going in the right direction.”
But the journey is long and their hopeful destination of post season play is probably a year or more away.
Baltimore Ravens
“Their offensive line was woeful, and they did very little to improve over the offseason, while the defensive tackles couldn’t eat up space or control the line of scrimmage.”
Tell us something we haven’t heard about a million times!
“To remedy the latter problem, Baltimore drafted Haloti in the first round. Ngata is huge, powerful and capable of great things, but he has stamina issues, and the rigors of the long NFL season will be quite a challenge for him. Don’t expect Ngata to make anyone forget about Sam Adams in his first year in the league.”
Hey Matt, this isn’t 2000 any more and if you are looking to find a player with stamina issues, watch Sam Adams this year. He wasn’t all that in Buffalo where he was asked to be a two gap tackle. Fact is, Adams likes to shoot the gap, not hog it up. While trying to put the purple blood that runs through my veins aside, I do think that Williamson is overlooking the fact that Ngata played on every defensive down and on special teams while he quacked with the Oregon Ducks. In Baltimore, he’ll be part of a rotation and he won’t be asked to be in on every play for Rex Ryan’s troops.
“This defense could have as many as six Pro Bowl-caliber players, but the negatives of the defense are just as glaring as the positives. Besides Reed, the safety position is still a mess, the defensive tackles are unproven and the lack of cornerback depth is frightening. Those areas are obviously huge concerns, but still expect the Ravens’ defense to be improved from last year if Lewis and Reed play the entire season.”
Really Matt? Last season the Ravens were the sixth ranked defense despite not having team balance given an inept offense and despite the significant lost games to injuries of players like Reed, Lewis, Anthony Weaver, Will Demps and Dan Cody.
“This is an interesting team. Their strengths are very strong and their weaknesses are very weak. For those reasons, Baltimore is a true wild card and could win anywhere from seven to 11 games.”
Gee, you want to hedge your bet a little more there Matthew?
P.S. Matt Williamson was a scout for the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He spent the previous three years as a recruiting assistant at the University of Pittsburgh.
