Interview with Vince Young

Big ups to Reebok, which twice recently has made me happy: First when I was able to find a pair of the old-school Pumps that you see here, and then, when earlier today, Reebok got me on the phone with one of its athletes, V-10 (aka Vince Young). Apparently Vince has a new Reebok cleat, the VY Electrify, which features the Pump technology. Hopefully it also features gaudy neon colors and zebra-striped plastic.

Vince and I spoke about the NBA Finals, the retirement of Michael Strahan, Tennessee Titans football, blah blah blah.

So long, Air McNair; Steve retires

Steve McNair reportedly had been working hard this offseason, but eventually ran out of steam and today decided to retire after 13 years in the league. Long enough to have played for the Houston Oilers.

D-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-amn, Steve; you old!

One possibility that warrants consideration is that Steve retired only because the team made it clear he was going to be cut after June 1 anyway: McMagic, we're going to give you a chance to leave Baltimore under your own terms, unlike those clowns down South who locked you out of the facility, which even though it may have been a smart business decision was undeniably cooooooold-hearted.

McNair's national legacy is tied permanently to the Titans franchise; however, he earned for himself a legacy in Charm City also. He took the '06 team on his shoulders, won games he should not have won (with serious help from the D and also Matt Stover), led Baltimore to a franchise-best record, and then the clock struck midnight before the team had a chance to dance with destiny. Steve McNair's career should have ended after the 15-6 loss to Indianapolis in the playoffs. It was clear then that his talent had faded. I say that not out of disrespect; the truth hurts. So does a decade-plus of getting beaten up by the Ravens defense, which happened frequently when McNair and the Titans were divisional foes with the Ravens (before the creation of the AFC North).

Moving forward in Baltimore, it's time to talk QB. A lot of people like Kyle Boller, but no one loves him, certainly not as a starter. Troy Smith has slightly more fans, and I'm one of them, but mostly the jury is still out. The Falcons need a DT in addition to QB, so if neither Atlanta (#3) nor the Chiefs (#5) draft Boston College QB Matt Ryan, there is a great chance he'll drop to Baltimore at #8, at which point he'll probably get snapped up by Baltimore. Mistake. Mistake. Mistake. Please do not do this. The guy is average at best, and it makes no sense to roll the dice and mortgage five years on a guy who probably is no better than Troy Smith, who IMO earned for himself a shot at the starting job by virtue of his success in limited time last season.

2007 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans (1.19)

Texas S Michael Griffin is the selection. Considering the Titans defense was embarrassing last season, this is a good choice. The Titans can't afford to have an embarrassing defense. After Pacman Jones this off-season, they can't afford any embarrassments, period.