Steve McNair has Issues

[Duchess Jack]

Now, we all knew that this cat was tough, but he just got a bone graft upon his chest which was deemed 'structurally unstable'.

 

'Structurally Unstable' are you kidding me? If you need a graft, I guess you need a graft - but to come back to a team afterwards in the shape that the Titans are in? Wow.

[Vote Quimby2]

that line has gotten worse too.

[Bill Swerski]

I hate to say it, but I don't think that he should be playing with that type of damage to his chest. But I admire him for trying. He's one tough SOB.

[Big Red]

I hate to say it, but I don't think that he should be playing with that type of damage to his chest.  But I admire him for trying.  He's one tough SOB.

 

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He is tough. I'd just hate to see him get hit and not get up on day.

[AtomicCEO]

I'm thinking of the 6 Million Dollar man... Darth Vader... and Wolverine...

 

Can't they just start right after the season ends... cut him open, and reinforce all of his bones, joints, and ligaments with some sort of strong metal? Let him heal up... then unleash Bionic McNair on the league on opening day.

[Clubfoothead]

The only criminal I worshhip is Michael Irvin.

[Chargerz]

Where do his doctors stand on this issue?? That's the key IMO.

[780]

NASHVILLE, TN, May 23, 2005 - Steve McNair loved the way Mike Heimerdinger let the Tennessee quarterback throw the ball deep at every opportunity.

 

But the 10-year veteran and one-time NFL co-MVP is into self-preservation these days, so McNair thinks new offensive coordinator Norm Chow's plan to get rid of the ball quickly is the perfect offense for someone who missed eight games in 2004 because of a chest injury.

 

''This offense is going to help that,'' McNair said. ''We're not going to sit there and throw short passes all day. We're going to throw deep balls too, but we're going to protect myself.''

 

When Heimerdinger left for the same job with the New York Jets, Titans coach Jeff Fisher used the opportunity to find a replacement who could condense the offensive playbook. He chose Chow for his offensive and teaching skills despite a lack of NFL experience.

 

But the man known as a quarterback guru for coaching three Heisman Trophy winners has a primary mission - keep McNair as healthy as possible by getting rid of the ball quicker.

 

''That doesn't mean to say we're not going to take our shots,'' Fisher said. ''We're going to take our shots. But you need to understand on third-and-11 plus, we'll take a checkdown, an incomplete pass, punt and come back and go at it again.''

 

Chow certainly has the resume that seemingly would qualify him for almost any job, but he spent all of his 32 years at the college level without ever being a head coach. Forget his magic touch with quarterbacks ranging from Jim McMahon and Steve Young at BYU to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart in his most recent gig at two-time national champion Southern California.

 

His offenses ranked in the top 10 nationally in 15 of the last 21 years.

 

Chow, who's still living in a hotel near the team complex, isn't holding a grudge, and he doesn't see his new job as a chance to show up his doubters.

 

''Those kind of thoughts never occurred to me. Maybe it's generic, but I'm just trying to help us win some games,'' Chow said.

 

The Titans, who had to chop about $27 million off their salary cap in February, knew they needed a coach used to teaching young players. An offense that ranked 11th in the NFL with 342.9 yards per game now has rookies backing up running back Chris Brown and receivers Drew Bennett and Tyrone Calico for now.

 

So Chow's first priority included simplifying the playbook. Fisher thinks Chow also has been just as helpful with his cheerful attitude both in the classroom and on the field.

 

''It's all about forgetting one play, going onto the next one, moving the ball and scoring points,'' Fisher said. ''We're just kind of scratching the surface with the system. Each day we put a little more in. The good part about it is there's really no veterans in the system aside from Coach Chow. It's got everybody's attention.''

 

Some of the changes have been obvious in the Titans' first minicamp.

 

Speed is the key with players expected to run back to the huddle with the next play already called, and the emphasis so far has been on short passes and involving the running backs more in the passing game. McNair has caught himself stumbling a little with the different terms, and he had to change the snap count he has used since his Pop Warner days from ''hut'' to ''go.''

 

McNair doesn't mind.

 

 

Titans QB Steve McNair will be looking to protect himself even further in 2005 under the play-calling of new offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

''He wants the speed of the game to speed up as far as tempo to the huddle, in and out and back to run another play. He's emphasized that, and I think we're going to live by it. We're going to respect that and do the things we need to uphold his end of the bargain of getting this offense better,'' McNair said.

 

Left guard Zach Piller calls Chow's changes offensive-line friendly. An injury-ravaged line gave up 44 sacks last year, including one in the end zone that led to an overtime safety and a 19-17 loss to Chicago.

 

McNair promises to do his best to help Chow out by avoiding hits from 300-pound linemen. He first hurt his sternum by scrambling upfield and diving forward with the ball underneath him when Jacksonville tackle Marcus Stroud landed on him.

 

''I've got to know how to get out of bounds. You've got to know how to slide. I've failed that the last year or two. I've got to find myself mentally, just trying to get out of harm's way when I know I can,'' McNair said.

 

Chow thinks his transition has been eased by the fact he spent the past four years working for a former NFL coach in Pete Carroll at USC, a man he said is very similar to Fisher. But as much fun as he's having in minicamps, he can't wait for the season.

 

''My wife would get mad,'' Chow said. ''She wants to enjoy the summer. If we start tomorrow, it wouldn't be too soon for me.''

 

 

 

 

 

For McNair, its easier said than done....I still say he has a hard time sliding feet first rather than take LB's on face up.

[Vote Quimby2]

Plus he has to go against Stroud and Henderson twice a year. Wasn't Stroud responsible for the busted sternum in the first place? Guess he better throw short.

[spain]

McNair is fine and fully healed. He has lost about 20 pounds and is in better shape than ever.