Tennessee Titans Steve McNair Baltimore Ravens Vince Young Billy Volek

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans finally agreed to trade their now former franchise quarterback, Steve McNair, to the Baltimore Ravens for a fourth-round pick in next April's draft. Throughout the offseason, the Titans and McNair have been battling back and forth in regards to his contract, which led to bad blood between the two sides. McNair tried to enter the Titans' facility two months ago to work out, but was denied access because the organization wanted his contract resolved first. As a result, he's been sitting in limbo in hopes of 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey White jersey
a trade. On the heels of a grievance filed by McNair against the Titans for the aforementioned facility-ban, the team and McNair have finally moved on.After the Houston Oilers moved to Nashville and became the Titans in 1997, McNair immediately made the franchise legitimate. The former Alcorn State star immediately won over the Titans' fans for his on-field play and the ability to constantly play through pain.During McNair's 11-year reign in Tennessee, the Titans recorded four playoff appearances and an AFC Championship victory. That win happened in 1999, and McNair nearly led the Titans to a Super Bowl triumph against the St. Louis Rams subsequently, but fell one yard short on the quarterback's infamous completion to receiver Kevin Dyson. Of course, Dyson was tackled by Rams linebacker Mike Jones on the goal-line as time expired. The Titans lost 23-16 in that game, but McNair performed valiantly, throwing for 214 yards and scrambling for another 64. McNair's finest regular season occurred in 2003, when he flung 24 touchdowns and shared the NFL's MVP award with quarterback Peyton Manning. That season the Titans finished with a 12-4 record, then defeated the Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. Following that victory, Tennessee lost a hard-fought battle to the eventual-champion New England Patriots. Had it not been for the brilliance of Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, McNair and the Titans might have moved on to their second AFC Championship Game appearance.Since the Titans drafted Vince Young with the third overall pick in last April's draft, there wasn't necessarily room for McNair anymore. Along with Young the Titans have solid veteran Billy Volek, who is expected to be handed the reins for next season. 4 Brett Favre White jersey
Either way, the duo of Volek and Young will certainly have themselves a difficult act to follow in McNair's wake.Meanwhile, now that they have a legitimate quarterback, the Baltimore Ravens will have an opportunity to regain their former playoff status.Undoubtedly, the memories of No. 9 in Tennessee will always be limitless. If it weren't for the 33-year-old, the Titans likely never would have become the powerhouse they were in the late '90s and early 2000s. McNair will always be remembered as a selfless warrior in Tennessee, and rightfully so. --Connor J. Byrne can be reached at Get more Steve McNair analysis