Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice
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Jerry Rice of the "All Pro Sports Football Series"

Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 12:00 AM

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Baltimore's Steve McNair scored on a 6-yard run.

NFL Roundup: QB McNair produces in debut for Ravens

By The Associated Press and San Jose Mercury News

BALTIMORE — Steve McNair generated a touchdown on his first series with the Baltimore Ravens, then took a seat as his new team lost 17-16 on the final play of Friday night's game with the New York Giants.

Having used his right arm and both legs to move the offense, there was not much more for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to accomplish in his Baltimore debut. McNair, formerly with the Tennessee Titans, went 4 for 5 for 45 yards and ran for a 6-yard touchdown.

But the Giants scored 10 points in the final nine minutes and Jay Feely kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired.

New York trailed 16-7 before Michael Jennings returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown with 8:44 left. The Giants then forced a punt and moved 62 yards behind third-string QB Jared Lorenzen to win.

McNair was obtained in a trade with the Titans to provide direction to an offense that struggled for three seasons under Kyle Boller. The 2003 league co-most valuable player made an immediate impression, completing his first pass to tight end Todd Heap for 17 yards during a 12-play, 80-yard drive.

On third down from the New York 6, McNair burst from the pocket and carried Corey Webster and Chase Blackburn into the end zone.

"I had an opportunity, I got flushed out of the pocket, I saw the end zone and I just tried to make the best out of something," McNair said. "This is my style of play."

Brian Billick decided one series was enough for McNair.

The Giants' No. 1 defense was smarting.

"That wasn't the way we wanted to start the preseason, giving up seven points on the first series," linebacker Antonio Pierce said.

Eli Manning led the Giants to a touchdown on his third and final series, the key play a 43-yard pass to Plaxico Burress. Manning went 4 of 7 for 74 yards.

Giants running back Tiki Barber, who ran for 1,860 yards and nine touchdowns in 2005, was held out by coach Tom Coughlin despite being healthy. New York was also without tight end Jeremy Shockey (concussion).

Other exhibition games

At Falcons 26, Patriots 23

Michael Koenen, who handled the punting and kickoff duties for Atlanta last season, appears ready to take on another job after booting four long field goals, including a 40-yarder as time ran out to beat New England.

Koenen's other field goals were from 44, 45 and 50 yards.

Rookie quarterback D.J. Shockley of Georgia was impressive in the fourth quarter for the Falcons.

At Buccaneers 16, Jets 3

Although Tampa Bay won the game, New York got a boost from quarterback Chad Pennington in his first game since a second major operation on his right shoulder.

Pennington was 9 of 14 for 54 yards.

At Lions 20, Broncos 13

Rod Marinelli's debut as Detroit's coach got off to a good start. Each of the Lions' quarterbacks — ex-Seahawk Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Dan Orlovsky — led scoring drives against Denver.

Detroit's defense caused three turnovers.

At 49ers 28, Bears 14

Alex Smith looked sharp, passing for 137 yards to help San Francisco beat Chicago. Smith, who was born in Seattle, completed 16 of 21 passes.

Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman struggled, and Brian Griese — signed in the offseason to provide a veteran alternative to the injury-plagued Grossman — guided the Bears on two long touchdown drives.

Notes

• Bob Hallen, 31, who was being counted on by Cleveland to replace the injured LeCharles Bentley at center, told the Browns he has retired. Earlier in the week, coach Romeo Crennel said Hallen had "a back issue" and was dealing with "personal problems."

• Jerry Rice and the San Francisco 49ers appear close to completing plans that would allow the receiving great to return to the team for a day and formally retire as a 49er, team officials said.

Rice, who is 43, played for the Seahawks in 2004 and caught 30 passes.

• Keith Hamilton, 35, retired New York Giants defensive tackle, was sentenced to three years' probation for beating his 12-year-old son.

• The domestic-violence trial for rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes, 22, of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been moved to Aug. 24.

• Partly to break up the tedium of training camp, the San Diego Chargers practiced on the landing deck of the USS Ronald Reagan.

• There was a time when hazing rookies was common in Minnesota's training camp. But first-year Vikings coach Brad Childress put a stop to that tradition this year, issuing a no-hazing edict.

Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company


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