McNair knows playoffs are time to ‘make a run’
NASHVILLE — Coaches and players like to talk about the NFL’s regular season as a marathon, not a sprint.
Not so for the playoffs. In an elimination format such as the postseason it makes sense to go full speed all the time.
Perhaps that explains why Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Steve McNair, for years one of the most dangerous dual threats at his position, has run more effectively in games such as the one scheduled for this Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
“You’re playing a one-game season, and whatever it takes to win, that’s what you’re willing to do regardless if it’s taking it down and running it 20-something times as a quarterback or if it’s throwing the ball 40-something times,” he said. “That’s all about the playoffs. Whatever happens … I cannot dictate how much I run, but if the opportunity is there I’m not going to turn it down.”
In seven career playoff appearances McNair never has had to run too often. The most rushes he has had in a single postseason contest was nine, in the AFC Championship victory at Jacksonville, which propelled Tennessee on to Super Bowl XXXIV.
What has been different about his January jaunts, however, is their length. All three years he has taken the team beyond the regular season, his average yards per carry have increased over that of the 16 contests that preceded.
Last year for example, McNair averaged 6.3 yards per attempt in the divisional and championship contests against Pittsburgh and Oakland, respectively, after having averaged 5.4 yards during the season. Plus, he ran for three touchdowns in those two postseason matches, the same number as he had during the entire regular season.
That performance was no different than any other years. In 1999, his playoff rushing average was an even 7.0, more than two full yards ahead of the regular season. In 2000, the last time Tennessee and Baltimore met in a postseason contest, he averaged 6.2 yards on five carries, an improvement of half a yard over the previous 16 games.
Baltimore once again has one of the league’s best defenses, third overall in the NFL, just as it did back then when it was second overall in yards allowed and set the record for fewest points allowed.
“Specifically against this defense we’re going to have to make plays off schedule because they do a great job of making the quarterback make decisions,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “They’ve got great speed and the skill level of the secondary is very impressive. Their front is relentless and Ray (Lewis) is Ray. … So Steve’s mobility is going to be a critical part of our success.”
Critical, perhaps. But how comprehensive remains to be seen.
The offense has been more productive this season than in decades, yet McNair’s 38 rushing attempts were his fewest since 1996, the year before he became a starter.
Nine of those carries produced first downs, and his four rushing touchdowns were one fewer than Eddie George, who carried 312 times, so there has been a noticeable quality to his dashes past the line of scrimmage.
“Opportunities haven’t been there for me to run,” he said. “Guys have done a magnificent job of getting open … on the first go-round, and (the line) has done a good job of protecting. If things start breaking down I’m not going to hesitate to run.”