In a controlled scrimmage against the Washington Redskins on Saturday that
marked his Baltimore debut against another football team, the Ravens’ new
franchise quarterback attempted to locate wide receiver Devard Darling
downfield. However, they weren't on the same page.
McNair never saw linebacker Marcus Washington lurking in the middle of the
field, and Washington returned the former NFL Co-Most Valuable Player’s second
pass of the day 39 yards for a touchdown before 47,258 raucous fans at FedEx
Field.
The Ravens and McNair saw no cause for alarm, though, as he settled down to
complete 5 of 6 passes for 30 yards during his 11 plays as Baltimore sustained a
16-14 loss.
“It went smooth after the first turnover there,” McNair said. “It was a
miscommunication between the receiver and the quarterback, but, at the same
time, that’s what you practice for to get those kinks out. After that,
everything smoothed out.
“I felt very comfortable. I’m not trying to rush myself. I’m just going to
continue to grasp this offense and the terminology. I just have to be patient
and learn this offense and not get frustrated.”
The Ravens traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans to acquire
the three-time Pro Bowl passer, signing him to a $32 million contract and
demoting erratic former starter Kyle Boller.
McNair appeared to gain momentum as the scrimmage wore on, completing an 11-yard
pass to tight end Daniel Wilcox and hitting tight end Todd Heap on consecutive
plays for a first down. The Ravens were threatening to score when the drive was
aborted under the scrimmage’s format.
“He was pretty good and in rhythm,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said. “Steve had
to execute it for the first time in a live situation. We have a long way to go.”
Billick emphasized that the blame for the turnover shouldn't be placed on
McNair’s shoulders.
“That was our fault,” he said. “McNair was put in a tough situation.”
McNair renewed his old connection with former Titans teammate Derrick Mason
during seven-on-seven drills, but didn’t complete a pass to him during the
full-team drills.
“We’ve been through a lot of battles together and we missed that year, but I
think the connection will still be there,” Mason said. “I think when you look at
the big picture we will work very well together again.”
Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Haloti Ngata had a mixed initiation to the
NFL.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive tackle shoved around the Redskins’ offensive
line for a sack, but he suffered a Stage 1 medial collateral ligament sprain of
his left knee. Team officials estimated that he might be back in a few days.
“According to our doctors, he could have gone back in,” Billick said.
Afterward, Ngata's knee was wrapped up, but he wasn’t limping much afterward. He
said he believes he should be sidelined for a minimal amount of practice.
“It’s not serious,” Ngata said.
McNair and Ngata weren’t the only newcomers who had a rough experience against
the Redskins.
Former Denver Broncos running back Mike Anderson, who was signed to an $8.1
million contract in the offseason, sustained a mild concussion while picking up
a blitz on the play that McNair threw an interception.
On a separate play, Anderson was drilled by hard-hitting Redskins safety Sean Taylor when he went airborne to clear a pile of bodies.
“It’s kind of like getting your bell rung and I never had that happen before,”
said Anderson, who was held to three yards on three carries. “I’ll be fine. I’ll
take a day off and I’ll be back out there.”
Running backs Musa Smith (23 yards, five carries) and P. J. Daniels (31 yards,
six carries) had strong games filling in for Anderson.
Especially Smith, who demonstrated good body lean and power.
“He looked good and strong,” Billick said.
Smith seems to have made a complete recovery from a gruesome broken leg he
suffered two years ago on a horse-collar tackle by Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams,
“It felt real good to just get back into the flow of things,” Smith said. “The
attitude is one of gratitude. I’m grateful to be back and doing some great
things out there. I think I’m having a great camp.”
Boller looked sharp and seems to be adjusting well to being a backup following a
three-year tenure as the starter.
He completed 4 of 5 passes for 54 yards, tossing a 4-yard lob for a touchdown to
former Maryland tight end Rob Abiamiri. Later, third quarterback Brian St.
Pierre hit Romby Bryant on a 24-yard spiral for the Ravens’ other touchdown.
“He is playing with a group where you have to be inventive,” Billick said of
Boller. “He did some good things.”
Boller connected twice with undrafted rookie Travis Latendresse for 43 yards.
Despite the obscure players in the huddle, Boller appeared to have improved
command and accuracy.
“It’s different because you’ve got to help teach those guys,” he said. “Those
are the guys I’ve been playing with. Move the ball, it doesn’t matter if you’re
first, second or third.”
Although the Ravens didn’t escape completely unscathed with injuries and McNair
had a less-than sterling outing, Billick was generally encouraged.
Whereas in the past a turnover might have unnerved previous Ravens'
quarterbacks, McNair seemed to take it in stride.
“He is so calm and poised,” Billick said. “If he’s nervous or anxious, you
wouldn’t know it. “
Aaron Wilson writes for Ravens Insider and the Carroll County Times in Westminster Maryland.
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