<span class="story-detail1">link QB ‘alive and well,’ showing progress </span> <span class="story-detail2">OWINGS MILLS — Steve McNair delivered the football more crisply than usual Thursday, uncorking a spiral that made Mark Clayton’s fingertips sting a little. It was a case of rare velocity and accuracy for the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback whose throwing motion and productivity have been severely affected by back and groin injuries, sailing several passes during the first half of the season. “He’s alive and well,” Clayton said of the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. “A healthy Steve is very good. It’s great to have our starting quarterback refreshed and re-energized. He threw the ball on the money.” As McNair prepares for his first start in nearly a month Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he proclaimed himself rejuvenated since missing two starts and recuperating from his injuries during the bye. Monday’s pivotal AFC North contest will mark his first game action since a 9-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 7. “I felt good, the two or three weeks I had off were good for the body,” McNair said. “It’s kind of tough when you have injuries to go out there and compete.” Following the Ravens’ most strenuous workout this week, teammates and coaches were impressed with McNair’s progress. McNair, 34, has been limited to four starts for Baltimore (4-3), not finishing two of those games. “I don’t mean to be the doctor here, but I think he’s 100 percent healthy,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said. “Obviously, there’s freshness after the last three weeks. He’s throwing the ball extremely well.” McNair has completed 65.6 percent of his throws running a ball-control version of the West Coast offense, throwing two touchdowns with two interceptions for an 80.2 quarterback rating.</span></p> He’s banking on improved health leading to increased mobility, so the Ravens can employ more designed rollouts and waggle passes. “I think you just go out there and make better plays,” McNair said. “I think that’s going to be the key regardless of how you keep the chains moving. Whether it’s throwing the ball or it’s taking off running, now that I’m healthy I can do a lot of different things.” Still, McNair has struggled over his past six starts dating back to the Ravens’ regular-season finale last year against the Buffalo Bills and a playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In those games, he has thrown two touchdown passes and committed eight turnovers, including five interceptions. However, McNair has an especially strong record against division-leading Pittsburgh (5-2). The 13-year veteran is 11-4 all-time against the Steelers with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. “Steve McNair is a been-there-done-that guy, ridiculously tough, great competitor, great physical skills,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a conference call with Baltimore reporters. McNair is counting on not overthrowing receivers and extending his range to include more intermediate throws after averaging just 5.87 yards per passing attempt so far. Since injuring his groin in the season opener at Cincinnati, where he fumbled three times, McNair hasn’t been able to properly step into his throws. He twisted his back and was held out against the Rams and Bills before the bye. “Mostly, I used my arm,” McNair said. “Now, I can go ahead and make sure I can follow through with the right technique. Mainly as a quarterback, you have to have the right techniques. Now that I got them back, things will work out.</p>
I'm kind of on thefence with the news. I still want Boller to be the starter but two weeks ago against Buffalo makes me hesitate. McNair is clearly better than him when it comes to leadership but he just isn't the same QB he got last year. He isn't 100% healthy as many may think he is and just because of the fact he had a bye to heal up does make me somewhat confident but we are playing against the Steelers. They will go after him and may get a few hits especially with the young and inexperienced line.</p>
