Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
Steve McNair was a better "real life" quarterback (2003 NFL co-MVP) than a fantasy quarterback, but for nine years at least (1997-2005), he was a low-end-to-middle starting quarterback in the fantasy world. Add another year with the Ravens as a spot starter and you had McNair's fantasy biography.
No, he was never a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but that was more a matter of Jeff Fishers' offensive scheme. Six times he threw for more than 3,000 yards, but he never tossed 500 passes in a season and never threw more than 24 touchdown passes. By contrast, Manning has thrown 500-or-more passes in nine of his 11 seasons.
McNair was drafted out of Alcorn State in 1995 as the third overall pick by the Houston Oilers. However, he didn't become a "fantasy-worthy" player until taking over the reins of the Oilers offense in 1997.
McNair was the starting quarterback as the Oilers moved to Tennessee and stayed there until 2005. He also had fantasy value in his first year in Baltimore.
One of the primary reasons McNair had decent fantasy value despite the mediocre statistics through the air was his ability to run with the football, particularly near the goal line. McNair rushed for 37 touchdowns during his 13- year career, with a high of eight in 1997 an '99. Because rushing TDs usually have more value than passing TDs in fantasy, his value increased to a level where he could be started.
| Steve McNair Career Statistics |
| Year | Team | Gm | Comp | Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rush TD |
| 1995 | HOU | 4 | 41 | 80 | 569 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | HOU | 9 | 88 | 143 | 1197 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 1997 | TEN | 16 | 216 | 415 | 2665 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
| 1998 | TEN | 16 | 289 | 492 | 3228 | 15 | 10 | 4 |
| 1999 | TEN | 11 | 187 | 331 | 2179 | 12 | 8 | 8 |
| 2000 | TEN | 16 | 248 | 396 | 2847 | 15 | 13 | 0 |
| 2001 | TEN | 15 | 264 | 431 | 3350 | 21 | 12 | 5 |
| 2002 | TEN | 16 | 301 | 492 | 3387 | 22 | 15 | 3 |
| 2003 | TEN | 14 | 250 | 400 | 3215 | 24 | 7 | 4 |
| 2004 | TEN | 8 | 129 | 215 | 1343 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| 2005 | TEN | 14 | 292 | 476 | 3161 | 16 | 11 | 1 |
| 2006 | BAL | 16 | 295 | 468 | 3050 | 16 | 12 | 1 |
| 2007 | BAL | 6 | 133 | 205 | 1113 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
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