Vale Steve McNair 1973 – 2009

July 5th, 2009 10:24 pm
by Pro Set

Steve McNair died over the weekend past from four gunshot wounds. Sympathy and prayers are extended to all who were close to the great quarterback. He was a truly great football player.

The details of McNair’s career are well known. I want to focus on two matches that defined his greatest attributes: outstanding individual ability and leadership in the toughest circumstances.

Tennessee Oilers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1998 season Week 10)

This was the first time that I saw McNair in prime time. Jeff Fisher still looked so young. The Bucs had made it to the NFC Divisional Playoff Round in 1997 and already had a reputation as a strong defense. McNair was electric. What struck me most was his decisiveness. He would make a read, and either throw or run.  After the first quarter he continually hit pass rush gaps and evaded open field defenders. Ultimately he won the game on a 71 yd touchdown run into the north endzone. The first instinct to break up the middle differentiated McNair from Steve Young and John Elway. Those 90s legends would scramble out of the pocket, keeping the pass alive, but never threatened to cause continuous carnage as a runner.

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (2000 season AFC Divisional Playoff)

By the 2000 season McNair was a national star. His final play Super Bowl slant pass to WR Kevin Dyson was one of the most famous failed plays in NFL history. The Titans were AFC Central Champions and #1 seed. The Ravens were the most fearsome defensive unit, in my opinion, that the game has ever seen. RB Eddie George had been crushed by an early LB Ray Lewis tackle only weeks earlier. McNair’s eyes as he fought for his team are my abiding memory. His courage was exemplary but unrewarded. With the score tied 10-10 in the fourth quarter, K Al Del Greco had a 37 yd FG blocked and returned for a Ravens TD. Then George dropped a pass into the hands of Ray Lewis for an INT TD. McNair deserved better from his teammates that day. To illustrate what he faced, one week later Raiders QB Rich Gannon was embedded in the ground by Ravens DT Tony Siragusa.

As tributes well deserved continue to pour in, our thoughts are with McNair’s loved ones and also with the family of Sahel Kazemi in their time of grief. The loss that we as football fans have suffered pales in comparison. We will always remember McNair as one of the greatest, but we hope that his children will have enduring memories of a loving father.

Posted in Baltimore Ravens, Jeff Fisher, NFL, NFL on television, Oakland Raiders, Ray Lewis, Steve McNair, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans | No Comments »

NFL Week 7 Featured Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

October 17th, 2007 8:24 am
by Pro Set

Tampa Bay (4-2) @ Detroit (3-2) 1pm ET on FOX

Former NFC Central rivals clash in a pivotal conference match-up. The game is especially important for Detroit. The Lions are in danger of falling further behind Green Bay in the NFC North, whereas the Buccaneers are leading the mediocre NFC South.

Detroit

On the ground, Detroit is present in form only. I am sure (with apologies to John Madden) that big old offensive linemen like C Dominic Raiola and T Jeff Backus would prefer more emphasis on the running game. G Damien Woody left the Patriots to come to Detroit. I hope that he actually needed the extra money. RB Tatum Bell is another in a long line of backs that have come from Denver only to struggle at another NFL city. And he has been seeking a trade. With that hope now extinguished, Bell has a chance to prove his professionalism The Buccaneers have been fairly solid in run defense this season. But in truth, looking at the depth chart, the TB front four is a pale shadow of the unit that strangled NFL offenses from 1998 thru 2002, claiming a Superbowl. Statistically, however, the unit is performing.

In the air, it is all about whether QB Jon Kitna can put together a full game. Kitna is completing well over 60% of his pass attempts. He will be looking to hit WR Roy Williams and WR Calvin Johnson over the top of the Bucs pass defense. The Buccaneers used to pride themselves on stopping the deep pass, and tackling any receiver immediately when a reception was made. This means that the key issue here is whether Kitna can hit the talented DET receivers in stride. For the TB pass defense, there is no secret in how to beat Kitna. Pressure up the middle has always brought out the worst in him.

Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay running game is even less threatening than the Detroit version. The Buccaneers traded with Kansas City to acquire RB Michael Bennett. He is a good runner. But to expect him to make a real difference in the famously complex offense of Jon Gruden is unrealistic. Remember, too, that he will be a liability in pass protection. This limits his ability to be a pass catching threat on third down. Expect QB Jeff Garcia to provide the most potent running threat.

In the passing game, the Buccaneers will aim to exploit the Teflon-esque Detriot secondary. There is a reason that NFL watchers keep seeing S Idrees Bashir and S Kenoy Kennedy change teams: they are just not very good. When a team is facing WR Joey Galloway, safety help is critical. With DT Shaun Rogers not playing, the pass rush that DET would have to possess to pressure Garcia will not be there. In a sight for the ages, expect the Buccaneers to march up and down the field. Do not underestimate the depth of the TB tight end group, which could further exploit the poor DET safeties as well as stretching the zone coverage.

Prediction: Tampa Bay

Posted in Detroit Lions, Game, Jon Gruden, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | No Comments »