Post by dad2paisley on Jun 15, 2006 11:31:17 GMT -5
In his first practice as a Raven, QB Steve McNair struggles a bit with new playbook, urges patience
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Reporter
Originally published June 14, 2006
By the end of his first Ravens practice, Steve McNair admitted to feeling more like a rookie than a Pro Bowl quarterback.
It was a new uniform, a new playbook, a new beginning.
On a day marked by as much confusion as excitement, McNair even thinks he used a call from the Tennessee Titans' playbook during one of yesterday's drills.
"I told the guys just be patient," McNair said.
If anything was revealed from his first workout, it was the magnitude of the challenge lying before McNair and the Ravens.
McNair, who was traded from the Titans on Thursday in exchange for a fourth-round pick, needs to gain command of the Ravens' offensive system in three months. He officially took his first step yesterday, even though he might not know what direction it was in.
"It's mind-boggling right now," said McNair, whose first and only minicamp wraps up tomorrow. "It's like starting all over again."
With the Ravens' playbook in hand for just four days, McNair ran the first-team offense for most of the practice with mixed results.
There were times when his throws were low or behind receivers. His first pass in team drills was completed to tight end Todd Heap, who needed to reach backward to make a one-handed grab. Another pass should have been intercepted by safety Robb Butler, a practice squad player last season.
But McNair later found receiver Derrick Mason deep for a 60-yard touchdown.
There were other instances when he double-clutched because he was unsure of where to throw the ball.
"He was thinking a lot," coach Brian Billick said. "He looked a little like a rookie coming out here. Obviously, he's got a lot to absorb right now."
To help McNair's transition, Mason gave the Ravens' coaches a list of plays that were called in Tennessee. Mason played eight seasons for the Titans before joining the Ravens last season.
"It's going to take awhile, but hopefully by training camp he's totally immersed in [their language]," Billick said.
The uneven practice did little to squelch the Ravens' enthusiasm about having McNair in a purple No. 9 jersey.
When Heap saw McNair yesterday morning, he jokingly asked his new quarterback if he knew the entire offense yet. McNair started reeling off all the Ravens' plays he had learned.
"I know it was just the first day, but I was impressed in what he picked up," Heap said.
Heap also was enthused about McNair's throws. Although the location was off, Heap said McNair's passes were delivered with a soft touch.
"He throws a very catchable ball," Heap said. "It's almost like it comes in slow motion. As a receiver, you can really attack it to make the catch."
Kyle Boller, the Ravens' starting quarterback for the past three seasons, relieved McNair to run the Ravens' red-zone offense and two-minute drills, both of which take more time to learn.
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Reporter
Originally published June 14, 2006
By the end of his first Ravens practice, Steve McNair admitted to feeling more like a rookie than a Pro Bowl quarterback.
It was a new uniform, a new playbook, a new beginning.
On a day marked by as much confusion as excitement, McNair even thinks he used a call from the Tennessee Titans' playbook during one of yesterday's drills.
"I told the guys just be patient," McNair said.
If anything was revealed from his first workout, it was the magnitude of the challenge lying before McNair and the Ravens.
McNair, who was traded from the Titans on Thursday in exchange for a fourth-round pick, needs to gain command of the Ravens' offensive system in three months. He officially took his first step yesterday, even though he might not know what direction it was in.
"It's mind-boggling right now," said McNair, whose first and only minicamp wraps up tomorrow. "It's like starting all over again."
With the Ravens' playbook in hand for just four days, McNair ran the first-team offense for most of the practice with mixed results.
There were times when his throws were low or behind receivers. His first pass in team drills was completed to tight end Todd Heap, who needed to reach backward to make a one-handed grab. Another pass should have been intercepted by safety Robb Butler, a practice squad player last season.
But McNair later found receiver Derrick Mason deep for a 60-yard touchdown.
There were other instances when he double-clutched because he was unsure of where to throw the ball.
"He was thinking a lot," coach Brian Billick said. "He looked a little like a rookie coming out here. Obviously, he's got a lot to absorb right now."
To help McNair's transition, Mason gave the Ravens' coaches a list of plays that were called in Tennessee. Mason played eight seasons for the Titans before joining the Ravens last season.
"It's going to take awhile, but hopefully by training camp he's totally immersed in [their language]," Billick said.
The uneven practice did little to squelch the Ravens' enthusiasm about having McNair in a purple No. 9 jersey.
When Heap saw McNair yesterday morning, he jokingly asked his new quarterback if he knew the entire offense yet. McNair started reeling off all the Ravens' plays he had learned.
"I know it was just the first day, but I was impressed in what he picked up," Heap said.
Heap also was enthused about McNair's throws. Although the location was off, Heap said McNair's passes were delivered with a soft touch.
"He throws a very catchable ball," Heap said. "It's almost like it comes in slow motion. As a receiver, you can really attack it to make the catch."
Kyle Boller, the Ravens' starting quarterback for the past three seasons, relieved McNair to run the Ravens' red-zone offense and two-minute drills, both of which take more time to learn.
