Bucs/NFL

McNair traded to Baltimore

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 8, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Steve McNair, who led the Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl, was finally dealt Wednesday to the Ravens.

He still had to pass a physical in Baltimore to finalize the deal, but the Ravens planned to introduce the man who shared the league's MVP award in 2003 as their new quarterback at a news conference today.

The Titans swapped the face of their franchise and a fan favorite for a fourth-round pick in next spring's draft. They had been trying to renegotiate McNair's salary from his scheduled $9-million to reduce a $23.46-million salary-cap hit.

"Obviously, the best situation would've been somehow to have been able to pay him what his market value was and keep him," said Bus Cook, McNair's agent.

McNair, who turned 33 in February, was the winningest quarterback in franchise history. In 11 seasons, he went 81-59 and shared the MVP award with Peyton Manning three years ago.

The Titans had given McNair's agent permission to talk with Baltimore about a contract on April30, and Cook worked out a five-year deal with an $11-million signing bonus and $1-million salary for 2006.

DISAPPOINTED COACH: Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said he let two players know they've disgraced the team with their off-field legal problems.

"I told the people that yes, you embarrass us as an organization, myself, and the coaches when these things occur," Lewis said of rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson and second-year receiver Chris Henry.

Nicholson, 21, is charged with grand theft and burglary in a break-in at a former Florida State teammate's apartment in Tallahassee. Henry, 23, was charged Sunday in Ohio's Clermont County with speeding and drunken driving. He also faces trial Aug.21 in Orlando on a concealed weapon charge.

NO.1 PICK OUT FOR WEEK: Houston's Mario Williams will be sidelined the rest of the week after having the toenails on both of his big toes removed. Williams, a 6-foot-7, 292-pound defensive end, had the procedure Monday after struggling with infections because of problems with his toenails.

ARENA FOOTBALL: Storm quarterback Shane Stafford will attempt to defend his title at the ArenaBattle Skills Challenge on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Former Tampa Bay wide receiver/defensive back T.T. Toliver also is among the players expected to participate in the event, which is part of the buildup to ArenaBowl XX.

--Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.

[Last modified June 8, 2006, 01:29:07]