Baltimore Ravens: Steve McNair, charges dropped

Source: text message from WNST.net and AM 1570 (Baltimore).

Update (12:40 p.m.): Charges against Steve McNair not dropped, apparently; the case is scheduled to continue in court on July 11.

Recently Ravens QB Steve McNair was arrested for driving under the influence, despite the fact that he was neither driving nor under the influence. He was in the passenger seat, riding shotgun and reportedly sober. But there was a catch: He owned the vehicle, which was being driven be a relative who reportedly admitted to having a couple drinks. And in Tennessee, they make you be responsible for your actions, including giving your keys to the wrong guy.

Today charges against McNair were dropped but it remains unclear whether the league will penalize McNair for his actions, in turn also penalizing the league's fans by forcing upon them Kyle Boller, Baltimore's backup. Actually, Kyle's a great backup for Baltimore. Yes, I used "Kyle Boller and "great" in the same sentence on purpose.

Boller knows the offense, he has a good attitude about his role on the team and he knows that no matter how well he plays in McNair's absence, McNair will return as the starter, come rain, sleet, snow, six broken bones, a blind eye, whatever. McNair is the guy. The only concern is that Boller would try to do too much trying to prove his free-agency worth because when this contract is through, that's it for Boller and Baltimore. And Boller obviously knows it.

Hopefully it's not a concern. Hopefully with the charges dropped and the inherently strange facts of the case, league commissioner Roger Goodell will let McNair off the hook. The Ravens can weather McNair's absence, but no Ravens fan wants to see Kyle Boller open the season on the road on Monday night in Cincinnati. At home against the Jets in week two, fine; but not the Bengals, not the first division game.