McNair leads TD drive in his debut with Ravens
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McNair didn?t get a win to savor, however, because the New York Giants dominated the fourth quarter and rallied for a 17-16 victory Friday night.
In his lone drive, McNair moved the Ravens 80 yards in 12 plays. He went 4-for-5 for 45 yards and ran for a 6-yard touchdown.
?It was what we were looking for, offensively, to start us out,? McNair said. ?That?s the kind of drive we want to establish during the course of the season.?
Baltimore built a 16-7 lead 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 quarterback Jared Lorenzen before Jay Feely kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired.
?It?s always nice to win, and we were very happy to come back and win the game,? Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. ?Jennings, with a big punt return, kind of gave us a shot in the arm there.?
McNair was obtained in a June trade with the Tennessee Titans to provide direction to an offense that struggled for three seasons under Kyle Boller. The 2003 NFL co-MVP made an immediate impression, completing his first pass to tight end Todd Heap for 17 yards.
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 at halftime. ?This is my style of play. I play to win, regardless of it?s a preseason or a regular-season game. Once the blood gets flowing, you can?t shut it off.?
Unless your coach tells you to, and Brian Billick decided one series was enough for McNair ? especially after watching his star quarterback take off in the open field.
?I told him he and I are both too old to do a whole of that,? Billick said with a chuckle. ?But it?s what he does. He?s an incredible competitor.?
Offensive coordinator Jim Fassel didn?t need to see anything more, either.
?Steve managed the game well and made good decisions,? Fassel said. ?It was crisp for an opening drive in the first preseason game.?