Adam Sheftner reports

[Atlas]

Ravens have worked out a deal with Steve McNair that includes an $11 million signing bonus.

Now the Titans will have to release him or maybe trade him for a low round pick.

[watermock]

They have to move him to get Ty Law. It's funny to see Crap Planet knawing on their leg constantly.

[Kaylore]

Saw this today on NFL network. Sometimes I forget people don't have that station (let alone watch it 24/7 ;D). They've had a segment on the Broncos almost every day this week. Pretty cool.

[Atlas]

Ravens, McNair on same page
QB agrees to contract parameters, $11M bonus

SoCals Link: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens05may05,0,2380243.story?coll=bal-sports-football

By Jamison Hensley
Sun reporter
Originally published May 5, 2006
If he is released or traded by the Tennessee Titans, Steve McNair will be ready to sign on immediately as the new Ravens quarterback.

The two-time Pro Bowl player has agreed on the parameters of a contract with the Ravens that will pay him a signing bonus close to $11 million and an additional $1 million in base salary, according to the NFL's Web site.





The length of the deal is not known.

The $12 million McNair would receive from the Ravens exceeds the $9 million he is scheduled to earn from the Titans this season.

A Ravens spokesman declined to comment on the report.

Tennessee must restructure McNair's contract, release him or trade him because he counts $23.46 million against its salary cap. The Titans, who are only $112,000 under the cap, need to reduce his cap number so they can sign draft picks and other free agents.

Titans officials gave McNair permission to speak to the Ravens on Sunday, which marked the team's first step in acquiring the 11-year veteran. A league source told The Sun on Sunday that McNair's agent seemed "agreeable" to a deal offered by the Ravens that afternoon during initial negotiations.

The Ravens attempted to trade for McNair on Sunday, offering a fifth-round pick on the draft's final day. But talks ended quickly when Tennessee wouldn't back off its demand for a fourth-round choice.

It is believed the teams have not spoken since Sunday. Titans general manager Floyd Reese said earlier in the week that the value of picks in the 2007 draft has gone up, insinuating that McNair could only be had now for a first-, second- or third-round pick.

There is a chance that McNair could become a free agent in about two weeks. His grievance - claiming the Titans breached their contract by barring him from working out at their facility - will be heard May 16.

The players union, which filed the grievance on McNair's behalf, contends Tennessee must allow him back into the training complex or release him. The Titans say they are within their legal rights to protect against an on-site injury, which would make the club liable for McNair's large cap number.

If McNair fails to become a free agent, the Ravens might be in for a much longer wait. A source has said the Titans are prepared to hold onto McNair until a week before training camp begins in late July if they don't receive an improved Ravens trade offer.

Ravens officials have acknowledged that a resolution could take weeks, but they privately don't expect Tennessee to keep McNair into July.

The Ravens have targeted McNair all offseason, opting not to pursue any available veteran quarterbacks. It is expected McNair would be given the starting job over Kyle Boller, who has been uneven in his three-year career.

If a deal is reached, the $11 million bonus is believed to be the highest ever that would be given to a quarterback in Ravens history.

The Ravens initially agreed on an $11 million bonus with Elvis Grbac in 2001, but they only gave him $5 million after declining to exercise an option that would have given him the other $6 million and triggered the final three years of his contract.

[Atlas]

can he actually be worth an $11 million bonus?? Walker signing doesn't look so bad compared to this.

That being said the Ravens will be a tough team to beat.

[watermock]

Billick is lying. Trust me.

[guth95]

While Mcnair is a great athlete, he is not a QB worth that kind of money. As previously mentioned, he is a big step up, though not so much better than Boller that it will will net them Superbowl contention. So, yes it is a step up but a Superbowl caliber team it will not make. Billick, much like Martz, is overrated.

[elsid13]

I'm confused how can the Ravens talks to McNair about a contract? Did the Titans give him permission to talk to other teams. If not that tampering.

[Florida_Bronco]

I'm confused how can the Ravens talks to McNair about a contract? Did the Titans give him permission to talk to other teams.

Yes, the Titans gave him permission to speak to other teams.

[-Slap-]

The Ravens attempted to trade for McNair on Sunday, offering a fifth-round pick on the draft's final day. But talks ended quickly when Tennessee wouldn't back off its demand for a fourth-round choice.

It is believed the teams have not spoken since Sunday. Titans general manager Floyd Reese said earlier in the week that the value of picks in the 2007 draft has gone up, insinuating that McNair could only be had now for a first-, second- or third-round pick.

There is a chance that McNair could become a free agent in about two weeks. His grievance - claiming the Titans breached their contract by barring him from working out at their facility - will be heard May 16.

The players union, which filed the grievance on McNair's behalf, contends Tennessee must allow him back into the training complex or release him. The Titans say they are within their legal rights to protect against an on-site injury, which would make the club liable for McNair's large cap number.

If McNair fails to become a free agent, the Ravens might be in for a much longer wait. A source has said the Titans are prepared to hold onto McNair until a week before training camp begins in late July if they don't receive an improved Ravens trade offer.

Ravens officials have acknowledged that a resolution could take weeks, but they privately don't expect Tennessee to keep McNair into July.

Sure doesn't seem like a done deal yet.

[Atlas]

Sure doesn't seem like a done deal yet.

I'm not sure but I think the Titans are up against the cap so they'll be forced to do something with Mcnair's contract.

Mcnair is tough, injury prone and I think a little overrated. I see this move going either way for Billek. Could take Ravens to the Superbowl or this move could earn Billeck a one way ticket out of town.

[ludo21]

Saw this today on NFL network. Sometimes I forget people don't have that station (let alone watch it 24/7 ;D). They've had a segment on the Broncos almost every day this week. Pretty cool.


rub it in jerk.

Good news tho, even tho we are paying more this summer for cable, the NFL network is being ADDED!!!!!!!!! ^5 :strong: :thumbsup:

I dont have to leave the house on Thanksgiving afterall !Booya!

[Northman]

While Mcnair is a great athlete, he is not a QB worth that kind of money. As previously mentioned, he is a big step up, though not so much better than Boller that it will will net them Superbowl contention. So, yes it is a step up but a Superbowl caliber team it will not make. Billick, much like Martz, is overrated.


I dont know, i think he would be worth it. He's been playing on a very subpar Titans team the last couple of years yet has managed to play pretty well with what he had. Now, with the Ravens they could easily be one of the best teams in the league next year. But, if McNair cant succeed with that team than he is done and the Ravens wasted the money. But, i think its worth the Gamble cause Boller just seems to keep tripping over his own feet....no pun intended of course. :welcome:

[Tombstone RJ]

Ravens have worked out a deal with Steve McNair that includes an $11 million signing bonus.

Now the Titans will have to release him or maybe trade him for a low round pick.

I think this is really going to hurt the development of VY. McNair is a great QB and now he's gone. Too bad for VY. Billy Volek ain't the same thing...

[Dr.5280]

is this why we traded with the rams for the 11th pick? to keep cutler from going to the ravens at the 12th. if so hurray. fug da ravens.

[Popps]

I hate the Ravens and I like McNair. This makes them better, which sucks.

[elsid13]

I hate the Ravens and I like McNair. This makes them better, which sucks.


McNair most likely will get hurt and they have to turn to Boller, which means that they won't make the playoffs. But this does mean the end of Boller, after next season.

[Atlas]

is this why we traded with the rams for the 11th pick? to keep cutler from going to the ravens at the 12th. if so hurray. fug da ravens.

The Vikings were looking to move up and snag Cutler. I think the Broncos beat them to it,

[davidtkd]

rub it in jerk.

Good news tho, even tho we are paying more this summer for cable, the NFL network is being ADDED!!!!!!!!! ^5 :strong: :thumbsup:

I dont have to leave the house on Thanksgiving afterall !Booya!

Lucky you. Here we had it and then it was gone. Something about Comcast and NFL network not agreeing on terms. :thumbsdow

So not only that, but no Fox HD either.

[Sodak]

I know everybody hates on Boller, but I wonder if he'd do better in a different scheme. They've been through a dozen QB's in the last 6 years?

Baltimore = QB killer.

[gunns]

Lucky you. Here we had it and then it was gone. Something about Comcast and NFL network not agreeing on terms. :thumbsdow

So not only that, but no Fox HD either.

I have Comcast and have the NFL Network. Do they have franchise's?

[Bronco X]

I have Comcast and have the NFL Network. Do they have franchise's?

You've got to have one of Comcast's higher priced digital cable packages to get NFL Network... the digital basic package doesn't have it.

[-Slap-]

I know everybody hates on Boller, but I wonder if he'd do better in a different scheme. They've been through a dozen QB's in the last 6 years?

Baltimore = QB killer.
From day one, he looked like Rick Mirer to me. I think, in the right situation, he has more upside than Harrington, but I think his absolute ceiling is average NFL starter.

[youcandoit1687]

Lucky you. Here we had it and then it was gone. Something about Comcast and NFL network not agreeing on terms. :thumbsdow

So not only that, but no Fox HD either.

any idea if comcast will ever get those two. my family got comcast for the HD channels and all but we didnt get about half the games. i ges now well have nbc too but i dont like their broadcasts. i think the fox thing is local bc fox does work with comcast but not in some local areas. dunno. i really want NFLN tho bc i would watch that 24/7. maybe i dont want it bc my life would waste away

[Dudeskey]

They have to move him to get Ty Law. It's funny to see Crap Planet knawing on their leg constantly.

They have to move him period. They can't even sign any of their draftees til he's off the books from what I understand.

[Dudeskey]

I know everybody hates on Boller, but I wonder if he'd do better in a different scheme. They've been through a dozen QB's in the last 6 years?

Baltimore = QB killer.

Maybe Bernie Kosar put a curse on the QB position.;D

[Hogan11]

rub it in jerk.

Good news tho, even tho we are paying more this summer for cable, the NFL network is being ADDED!!!!!!!!! ^5 :strong: :thumbsup:

I dont have to leave the house on Thanksgiving afterall !Booya!

Lucky you...unless Time Warner adds it soon, I'm still going to be screwed.

[Sodak]

From day one, he looked like Rick Mirer to me. I think, in the right situation, he has more upside than Harrington, but I think his absolute ceiling is average NFL starter.

He did play a decent game against Den. last year, probably his best of the season. There was a couple of flashes there.

I remember all the pre-draft hype with Boller. "He can throw the ball 70 yards from a kneeling position. Cannon arm. Blah, blah, blah...

I thought the kid had a little more potential, but the Mirer comparison is probably right on...

I remember all the Mirer pre draft hype too. "The next Elway...etc., etc." R-i-i-i-i-i-ght.

There's only one Duke.