Pain, losses taking toll on McNair

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

To be clear, Steve McNair never used the word retirement.

But the co-MVP of the 2003 season sent a clear message that he's hurting, and this time the physical pain mixed with a losing season has the Tennessee quarterback ready to think about quitting.

"I feel like at this point in time you have to take a hard look at it," McNair said after a 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday that ended the Titans' playoff hopes and put them in the AFC South cellar.

"Back in the days, I used to play and play well when I was hurt, but at the same time it has taken a toll. I just have to look at it and evaluate myself, but I'm going to continue to work hard this season and do the best I can do to try and win five ballgames."

Coach Jeff Fisher didn't hear of McNair's comments until the team was on the way to the airport in Houston. He spoke with his quarterback Sunday night and again Monday and feels McNair, who turns 32 on Feb. 14, was simply frustrated.

"I know how he feels," Fisher said. "When you go from where he was last year to the situation that we are in as a team, there's frustration." Fisher said.

This season hasn't come anywhere close to what McNair wanted as an MVP follow-up.

While co-MVP Peyton Manning of Indianapolis, whom the Titans (4-7) play Sunday, is on a record-setting pace, McNair has thrown two more interceptions (9) through seven games than he did all last season. A bruised sternum kept him out of two games and parts of two others, and his passer rating of 73.1 puts him behind 23 NFL quarterbacks.

"You get to wondering if things continue to be that way, you have to take a long look at it after the season to see what you're going to do," McNair said.

Asked if that meant not returning in 2005, McNair said he is just evaluating. Does that mean he will consider quitting?

"That's up to me," he said. "Like I said, I'll evaluate myself at the end of the season, and we'll see."