Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is not ready to rule out Steve McNair as the starting quarterback next season.

“I know there were a lot of those predictions going around the last couple of years in Green Bay, and then we all saw what happened [with Brett Favre in this season],” Cameron said. “So, I think you just see where guys are, get a consensus, and I’m sure all those things will come to light over the next weeks and months.”

McNair started just six games during a 5-11 season, largely because he was hindered by nagging groin, back and shoulder injuries. McNair had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder to end his season prematurely.

McNair played in six games, completing 133-of-205 passes for 1,113 yards with just two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also fumbled eight times, leading to seven turnovers.

This story continues below
Advertisement

McNair turns 35 next month and enters his 14th NFL season this fall. The team extended quarterback Kyle Boller’s contract through the 2008 season, which will be the former first-round draft pick’s sixth as a Raven. Boller suffered a concussion in Week 15 against Miami, which led to rookie Troy Smith starting the final two games, including a season-ending victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith took over for Boller during the fourth quarter in a loss to the Dolphins on Dec. 16, giving Cameron — then Miami’s coach — a first-hand look at one of his potential quarterbacks.

“That’ll be fun to go back and look at the time he did get to play, as well as the other guys,” Cameron said. “I think these next few weeks and months, it’s going to be a good time to go back and look at all of the personnel and make those assessments and then try to build from there.”

When former coach Brian Billick was fired Dec. 31, Smith embraced his uncertain future.

“I think about the positives all the time,” Smith said.

The Ravens have the eighth overall in April’s NFL Draft, and there is a strong possibility they could select a quarterback, possibly Louisville’s Brian Brohm.

» Note: Former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is expected back in Baltimore today to discuss his future with the Ravens.

mpalmer@baltimoreexaminer.com