Sports

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) ― Steve McNair walked onto the field Friday for his first training camp practice with the Baltimore Ravens, and immediately the crowd at McDaniel College came to life.

Hundreds of people along the sideline welcomed the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with a loud cheer. Instead of merely acknowledging the ovation with a smile or a wave, McNair responded by exchanging high-fives with the fans as he moved briskly from left to right.

Although injuries limited his playing time over the past two years, McNair is being counted on to provide stability to a position that has long been a trouble-spot for Baltimore. He takes over for Kyle Boller, whose troubled two-year run as the starter produced Ravens fans with more anguish than cheers.

McNair's presence won't guarantee Baltimore a trip to the Super Bowl. The former Tennessee Titans star does, however, provide the Ravens with hope that they can finally field a team that no longer will have to depend on its defense to win.

"I've been here 11 years now, and we've been through quarterback, quarterback, quarterback," standout linebacker Ray Lewis said. "It's one thing to bring in a quarterback and say he's going to have a great future. It's another thing to bring in a quarterback who's proved it. We're talking about a guy two years removed from being an MVP."

The 33-year-old McNair represents a decided upgrade from Boller, Anthony Wright, Elvis Grbac, Jeff Blake and everyone else the Ravens used at quarterback since bouncing Trent Dilfer after winning the 2001 Super Bowl.

McNair doesn't want to be considered a savior. He just wants to be a part of the Ravens' overall effort to win an NFL championship.

"I'm not trying to be Superman. I'm just going to play my style of game. You win with balance, having a good defense and a good offense," he said. "I'm not saying we're going to be an explosive offense, but we will methodically run this thing and execute. It's about taking the pressure off the defense so they can be well-rested in the fourth quarter. That was my goal coming in and it's going to continue to be throughout the season."

McNair did nothing exceptional at practice Friday. He completed a few passes, misfired on a few others. What is more important, he moved a bit closer to grasping the finer points of coach Brian Billick's intricate offense.

One of the main reasons that Billick moved up the start of camp from Monday was to give McNair four extra sessions to work with the first-team offense. The Ravens didn't get McNair in a trade with the Titans until June 8, so the quarterback still needs time to absorb the entire playbook.

"I'm about 60-70 percent as far as getting out there and running with the first team. I'm not at the point where I want to
be, but that's what training camp is for," McNair said. "I'm very comfortable calling the plays. Now it's all about repetition, ironing things out and adjusting to different reads. It's not going to happen overnight, but I'm going to be patient and learn every practice."

At least he's got a friendly target in wide receiver Derrick Mason, who teamed with McNair for eight years in Tennessee.

"Derrick has been a great help. He's a guy I've been familiar with a long time," McNair said. "At this point, it's just about me learning the other guys."

When that happens, Air McNair will be ready for liftoff in Baltimore.

"He's a smart guy. I don't look for there to be any problem with Steve picking up this offense," Mason said.

Tight end Dan Wilcox said: "It's new hope now that Steve is here. He has veteran savvy and has been to a Super Bowl. We're proud to have him on this team."

Notes: Top draft pick Haloti Ngata agreed to terms on a five-year deal late Friday and is expected to report Saturday. Ngata and OT Jonathan Ogden, who missed practice to tend to the death of his father, were the only players absent Friday. ... RB Jamal Lewis (ankle, groin) and WR Clarence Moore (hernia surgery) did not practice. Lewis could return by Saturday, Billick said.

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