FanHouse Steve McNair

Ask anyone who played with or coached Steve McNair, and you'll always hear him described as an incredibly hard worker, a tough-as-nails quarterback and a devoted teammate. In the wake of a terrible tragedy where McNair was found shot to death, those who knew McNair are left saddened and in shock. Just take a look at some of the reactions to the 36-year-old's death.

Two months ago, Steve McNair walked into a bar named Loser's near downtown Nashville. It was after midnight. McNair wore blue jeans, boots and a black T-shirt hanging tightly on his broad chest. The patrons inside Loser's, a country-themed bar with wood panels on the walls, wooden floors, and a wooden porch, were swaying to "Country Roads" in front of a live band. McNair walked to the bar and ordered a shot -- straight vodka. He took the shot glass, tiny in his large right hand, the one that had thrown touchdown passes for 13 NFL seasons, and tossed it down. Then he turned to look out over the scene. For just a moment he winced, then he opened his mouth wide, an orange peel held between his teeth.

McNair's mouth hung open in a bright orange smile. My friend elbowed me, "Can you believe that guy came within a yard of winning the Super Bowl?" he asked.

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found dead, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, according to multiple published reports. McNair was 36.

The third overall pick in the 1995 draft out of Alcorn State, McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL -- 11 with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise and his final two in Baltimore.

He played in his final NFL game on Nov. 11, 2007, a 21-7 Ravens loss to the Bengals. McNair announced his official retirement in April of 2008.

Keith Bulluck sat down with the Tennessean for a Q&A this week that covered a lot of topics: his favorite Titans team, his best teammates, his toughest loss and his best game. It's not meant to be, but it almost read like a farewell speech.

Bulluck is heading into the final year of his contract. The Titans have not made any moves to re-sign him. He has already said that he expects to be playing elsewhere next year, although his wish is to remain with the Titans. And when you consider the Titans track record, that's not surprising.

Sports agent James "Bus" Cook has, in large part, escaped the kind of criticism other agents get for how they handle negotiations for their clients. He hasn't had to appear in front of a camera to defend a client against accusations of law-breaking behavior.

Clients like Brett Favre and Steve McNair enjoyed long careers in the NFL, and they were able to steer clear of any major controversies until late in their careers. Even then, no one batted an eye at Cook, and there was no reason to.

In anticipation of Cardinals-Steelers, FanHouse takes a look back at some forgotten storylines from past Super Bowls.

Everyone remembers Kevin Dyson stretching out with the football from the one yard-line in a desperate attempt to tie the game in Super Bowl XXXIV as time expired. The Rams won the game, Kurt Warner won the MVP, Dick Vermeil won his only Super Bowl championship, and Vermeil "retired" for Mike Martz to take over as coach.

What many people don't consider about that game is: Why did the Titans only have one timeout on that final drive?

As the Patriots continue to rebuild their front office and coaching staff following another offseason exodus, the team has announced the hiring of former Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese as a senior football advisor. According to the team's official press release, he will work alongside director of player personnel Nick Caserio and head coach Bill Belichick in "various football-related assignments, including contracts."

Here's what Patriots owner Robert Kraft had to say on the hiring:

"We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to add someone with Floyd Reese's NFL experience and expertise to our staff," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "Floyd will be a tremendous asset serving Coach Belichick in an advisory role."

At least the Ravens didn't wait until the last minute. Kyle Boller's bum shoulder could put his season in jeopardy, and Troy Smith's Level 5 tummyache forced him to miss the final two preseason games. Which meant that rookie first-round pick Joe Flacco was the depth chart.

Baltimore signed backup Casey Bramlet long enough to cut him, but they're still in the market for a longer-term solution behind whoever ends up winning the starting job.

Ideally, Smith would be ready to go this week and Flacco would get comfortable holding a clipboard for the '08 season as the No. 3 option. One problem: with Boller's future in doubt, the team doesn't have a veteran backup. Luckily, plenty of semi-qualified names hit the open market yesterday, which is potentially good news for the Ravens.

It seems like a lot longer than two seasons since the Ravens ripped off 13 wins, won the AFC North, and earned a home playoff game. Gone are Brian Billick and Steve McNair, replaced by fresh faces -- both coaches and quarterbacks -- although Kyle Boller, like a rash, refuses to go away.

Except for last night. The sixth-year player is nursing a shoulder injury and was unable to fill in for starter Troy Smith, who was a late scratch because he ate some bad Chinese food*. Which meant that rookie first-rounder Joe Flacco, who, according to some people, is barely 10 pages into the playbook, got his first NFL start.

Surprisingly, it was a little rocky at times. Still, Flacco finished 18 of 37 for 152 yards and one touchdown, but head coach John Harbaugh was reserved in his post-game comments.

"Joe did OK in there without much preparation this week," coach John Harbaugh said. "He'll settle down as he plays more."

As the Baltimore Sun's Jamison Hensley writes, this was supposed to be the preseason game where Smith staked his claim to the starting quarterback job. Instead, events conspired against him and Flacco found himself under center when the game started.

Hensley's colleague, David Steele, still has plenty of questions about the Ravens' next QB, but places most of the blame on the 10 other guys on offense. All fair points, for sure, but I'm pretty sure this is somehow all Brian Billick's fault.

* Speculation on the Chinese food, but Smith was unable to play because of a tummy ache. Maybe he ate too many pre-game jelly beans.

Surely noboby was surprised by Kyle Boller's mostly-effective-save-two-turnovers performance against the Pats in the preseason opener last week. Boller's been in the league since 2003 and that's his M.O. Two years ago, it got him benched -- the Ravens were finally able to a) admit they had some shortcomings at the position, and b) do something about it by trading for Steve McNair.

McNair "retired" this offseason, Baltimore drafted Joe Flacco, and while he matures into an NFL superstar, Boller and second-year player Troy Smith are battling for the job. Boller was 11 of 15 for 102 yards and an interception on Thursday night; Smith was 5 of 12 for 74 yards. But according to the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss, Smith's the locker room favorite.

One of the undercurrents felt from the Ravens' visit to Gillette Stadium was the support in the team's locker room for Troy Smith to be the team's starting quarterback on opening day. Linebacker Ray Lewis, in particular, is privately lobbying for Smith - the former Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State - to take the reins over Kyle Boller and 2008 first-round draft choice Joe Flacco.

Has Ray Lewis ever done anything "privately?" I think not. Whatever, it seems many fans are in agreement, and since we all know what Boller can do, giving Smith a shot doesn't seems like such a bad idea. Not sure if it'll happen, but if it does, no one would be complaining. Particularly those who play for the Ravens.