You remember when there was no speculation about Steve McNair becoming a Baltimore Raven, don?t you?
The McNair story has consumed endless headlines, television reports, message board threads, talk radio time and Church homilies for more than a month now. If I heard right, my local priest offered a prayer of petition Sunday that God send the quarterback to Baltimore to help jump start the Ravens? offense.
It may only get worse this week as McNair could report to the Tennessee Titans? headquarters for the team?s first mini-camp. After he won the right to return to the team?s facility last week, everyone is waiting for some confrontation.
Cameras will follow him as he pulls up to the parking lot. His every move will be analyzed. If he orders ribs in the team?s cafeteria, some will say that?s a sign that he wants to stay there for the famous Memphis barbecue and will rework his contract. If he starts pouring Old Bay on his accompanying fries, my media brethren might just implode.
It?s all so confusing for sports fans around here. How can it not be? McNair?s agent, Bus Cook, has been running around since draft weekend telling anyone who will listen that McNair is going to be a Raven.
Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice (a.k.a. the Ravens? Owings Mills headquarters), the man-who-would-be-replaced, Kyle Boller, worked out with the team in closed sessions last week.
After a morning practice, he walked almost lock step with a line of teammates off the field, as he remained mostly silent during this ordeal.
Should McNair decide not to renegotiate his huge contract, the Titans could release him or trade him to the Ravens.
No matter what, though, there might not be any turning around. The Ravens have shown their desire to have McNair. Make no mistake about it, they aren?t bringing the former NFL MVP in to run the practice squad.
Of course, if the Titans and McNair find middle ground, it could get messy for the Ravens. What happens to Boller?
The Ravens pursuit of another starter has sent him the message that this franchise wants another field general. How can he be the leader of this team if the Ravens don?t complete a deal?
I just played the speculation game too, didn?t I? I feel so used.
Matt Palmer is a staff writer for The Examiner.
