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A look back at Steve McNair the Houston Oiler
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Steve McNair played in 13 games and started six in two seasons with the Houston Oilers (Getty)
Old Oilers fans among us will remember a young Steve McNair coming to Houston as the Oilers were on their way out. It's a shame we didn't get to see McNair and Eddie George, and Jeff Fisher for that matter, fulfill their promise wearing Oiler blue.
For me, many years of loyal fandom for that franchise ended the day the Houston Oilers ceased to exist, but these are things that transcend the game so sincere condolences go out to McNair's family and friends.
I found an old Gameday Magazine from McNair's rookie season that I had laying around for the last fourteen years, so I thought I'd share a page. There's a lot of familiar faces in there. Brings back memories.
McNair saw his first official action as a pro in Week 10 of the 1995 season during the final moments of a Houston Oilers 37-10 win over the Browns.
How many of you remember McNair's home debut and his first NFL TD pass against the Lions during Week 15? You could have found me in Section 470, Row 4, Seat 1 that day - right under Bud's suite.
Jeff Fisher was just getting his feet wet as a head coach in those days and he wasn't quite ready for a young kid from Alcorn to "Air" it out on a regular basis.
In fact, McNair was advertised as the #3 QB for most of his rookie season behind a fragile and hostile Chris Chandler and Will Furrer. Yes, Will Furrer.
But that eventually changed.
McNair got his first start at the Dome in Week 16 against the Jets. I remember the buildup, and I remember the butt whipping the Oilers put on them in a game that we thought might be the last in the Dome.
McNair would revert back to his backup role to Chandler in '96, the Oilers last year in Houston, because offensive coordinator and QB guru Jerry Rhome 'just knew' is was going to be Chandler's 'breakout year.' (note the eerie similarities if you replace Chandler's name with Matt Schaub in that article).
But we knew it was only a matter of time until McNair would assume the role of full time starter. McNair, Eddie George and Frank Wychek - and a head coach that was gaining confidence by the game - were about to become the core of something special.
Even McNair's teammates were lobbying for him to start by the end of the '96 season as Chandler's injuries once again began to mount.
Rhome and Chandler were gone after the '96 season, but two seasons later at the age of 33, Chris Chandler was able to avoid the injury bug just enough (he missed two starts) to help lead Dan Reeves' Falcons to their only Super Bowl appearance.
And of course one year later in 1999 - the inaugural season for the Tennessee Titans - McNair led his team to the Super Bowl.
Extra point: If you ever get a chance to watch the 1998 NFC Championship game on NFL Network replay, it's a must watch. The Falcons came from behind and stunned the John Randle era Vikings at Minnesota after Gary Anderson missed a late field goal that would have wrapped it up for the Vikes. Before that kick, Anderson was perfect on FG attempts for the season.
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