As the Tennessee Titans' first starting quarterback, Steve McNair set standards in toughness, competitiveness and accountability that the franchise's quarterbacks will long be measured against.

Current Titans quarterback Kerry Collins is a pro. But any young, homegrown quarterback would be wise to research the McNair model and work hard to follow it.

He played, and played well, despite occasionally missing weeks of practice, enduring pain-killing shots that would help him drag a bad ankle or shoulder through a game, taking hits on a badly bruised sternum that made it difficult to breathe, let alone stare down an oncoming pass rusher.

Then, win or lose, no matter how long he had to spend in the trainer's room getting treatment, he would slowly dress and ultimately face the questions, handling them with grace and humor and whatever else the situation may have called for. As in his play, he always seemed to know just how to handle a potentially difficult situation.

And he stood up for his teammates too.

If the middling receiver he threw to on a crucial third down botched a route, you'd never learn about it from McNair. Everything was on McNair, and he never complained about his less than stellar receiving corps. He was the quarterback and he was charged with leading the team to wins no matter the injury, the supporting cast, or the circumstances. He always seemed to me to believe he could and should overcome these obstacles.

He was poised and calm, and those qualities helped others who might have been prone to panic.

McNair was appreciated for the way he handled himself. He helped a reinvented team make its only Super Bowl trip in its first season as the Tennessee Titans and earned a share of the MVP award in 2003. He rallied support for Hurricane Katrina victims in and around his home in Mississippi. He accepted responsibility when he faced a drunken driving charge that ultimately disappeared.

He already has a spot in the team's new ring of honor. But he hardly needed his name imprinted on a spot inside LP Field to leave an indelible mark.

Paul Kuharsky talks about Steve McNair's impact in Nashville and reflects on the quarterback's career. 

The latest on the story is here.

More reaction to McNair's death:

• Former teammates Derrick Mason and Anthony Dorsett.
• ESPN's Tom Jackson and Michael Smith.

New England Patriots senior football advisor Floyd Reese issued a statement about the death of quarterback Steve McNair. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head at a downtown Nashville condominium.

Reese was the general manager who drafted McNair for the Houston Oilers third overall in 1995.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. He was a player who I admired a great deal. He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.

"I don't think there was a player who played with him or against him that didn't look up to him and respect him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and the many teammates who loved and admired him."

McNair

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed.

McNair, 36, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville, police spokesperson Don Aaron said.

The news story is here.

Jon Gruden, former Raiders and Buccaneers coach and current "Monday Night Football" analyst, is joined by Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher and John Harbaugh on the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour. The group is traveling to meet and greet service members for several days in the Persian Gulf region. Gruden sent an update from the tour:

Posted by Jon Gruden

BAGHDAD -- The second day of our trip to Iraq was just as amazing as the first. You can read about what our troops are doing over here or you can watch reports on television, but none of that can compare to being here with them. It's inspiring.
 

Gruden

I think sometimes people forget the role our military plays in keeping our country safe. There is the Air Force, the Navy and the Army all working together tirelessly, putting in long hours every day so far away from home. I'll never think about military service the same way after seeing it up close this week. It's been a life-changing experience for all of us.
 
After a briefing from Gen. Ray Odierno, a big Giants fan, we took a quick trip on Black Hawk helicopters to the airfield and then we flew to Mosul, north of Baghdad.
 
We had a two-hour meet and greet there with hundreds of different servicemen and women. It's truly an honor to visit with them and talk some football and also to talk to the troops about their responsibilities over here. I learn something from each encounter with all of these great people we have serving over here.
 
Then we flew south to Kirkuk, where we visited Forward Operating Base Warrior. We met the base football team during the meet and greet there, which lasted about two hours as well. Then we had lunch with some troops who had been cited for serving with great distinction, though, to me they all seem to be doing that. Then we flew back to Baghdad.
 
Once back in Baghdad, we attended a reception at Al Faw palace, which once belonged to Saddam Hussein, for more time with the troops. We met a large contingent from the Pennsylvania National Guard; of course, they gave Bill Cowher a huge ovation. You would not believe the number of "Terrible Towels" that are over here.
 
We are staying at the JVB Hotel, which is another one of Hussein's former palaces. JVB stands for "Joint Visitors Bureau." This place would blow your mind. Marble everywhere. Huge chandeliers. There is a range where we can go to hit some golf balls on the property and other nice stuff. Jeff Fisher and I are going off now to see if we can catch some carp or catfish from the well-stocked, man-made pond that is nearby.
 
Saturday will be special day as we will attend a naturalization ceremony in which more than 200 service members will become U.S. citizens. It will be held at Al Faw palace -- which is headquarters for the multinational forces.
 
After seeing how hard our troops work over here, I can't imagine a better place to be on the Fourth of July.

	Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
	The Chargers' offense runs through Philip Rivers.

San Diego: The Chargers, by far, have the best offense in the division. It is a complete unit. San Diego has a ton of weapons and can win games either in the air or on the ground.

Of course, it all starts with quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers, 27, is emerging as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL after three seasons as a starter. He threw for 4,009 yards last season.

His top targets are tight end Antonio Gates, who remains a premier player at his position, and receiver Vincent Jackson. A big receiver, Jackson is a deep threat who has a penchant for making big plays in important games.

Rivers works well in Norv Turner's system. Turner might have his detractors based on his work as a head coach, but his prowess as an offensive coach cannot be denied. Rivers has made strides under Turner.

The Chargers' run game is also top notch, even though superstar running back LaDainian Tomlinson is showing signs of decline. Still, Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June, has to be counted as a 1,100-plus yard rusher until he proves he can no longer produce. His backup, Darren Sproles, is a key.

The diminutive Sproles is a terrific change-of-pace back who has proven he can help win games when Tomlinson is out. Expect to see Sproles get more carries this season as Turner tries to utilize both running backs.

San Diego's offensive line isn't as strong as it was a couple of years ago, but if the unit can stay healthy and rookie Louis Vasquez can come along at guard, it should be fine.

Overall, this is a strong group and the best offense in a division that is fairly decent on that side of the ball.

	AP Photo/Ed Andrieski
	Josh McDaniels, left, is counting on Kyle Orton to lead his offense this season.

Denver: The Broncos' offense would have been closer to San Diego's had it not shocked the league and traded unhappy quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago.

Denver still has dangerous weapons on offense, but it has lost some panache without the strong-armed Cutler. He was always a scoring threat. Now, with the more limited Kyle Orton taking over, the Broncos won't be as scary. It's just a fact.

But Denver's offense can still be productive. Coach Josh McDaniels is confident the game-managing Orton will be able to succeed in his system. Matt Cassel played well for McDaniels last year in New England and the coach thinks Orton can have similar success.

The Broncos have a good receiving corps. The team doesn't plan to trade Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, despite his request to be dealt. So, unless Marshall doesn't want to get paid this year, you can expect him to play in Denver. He might not get his third straight 100-plus catch season, but he'll still be productive.

No. 2 receiver Eddie Royal could have a Wes Welker-like effect in McDaniels' system, and third receiver Brandon Stokley still can produce. Add in blocking tight end Daniel Graham and receiving tight end Tony Scheffler, and Orton has a nice passing offense.

That said, the key to Denver's offense could be the running game, starting with rookie Knowshon Moreno. He was the No. 12 overall pick in the draft and McDaniels envisions him as a three-down back. The Broncos have several other running backs who will fill key roles. A successful running game would help Orton's transition to Denver immensely.

The Broncos continue to have a strong offensive line. It is anchored by fantastic second-year left tackle Ryan Clady. He excelled in both run and pass blocking as a rookie.

Denver's offense has punch and the innovative McDaniels should have fun with it. It just would have been more dangerous with Cutler.

	Kirby Lee/US Presswire
	Darren McFadden rushed for 499 yards and four TDs last season.

Oakland: There is a fairly large drop-off here. I gave Oakland the edge over Kansas City for one reason: The running game.

Oakland's offense has flaws. But the running game can be top notch and gets the nod for that reason. The Raiders have three solid rushers in Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas. Alone, none has proven to be a Pro Bowl runner. But in a committee, they can be a major headache for defensive coordinators because of their complementary skills. McFadden is a game breaker, Bush is a pounder and Fargas is a consistent yard-getter.

The Raiders didn't do a good job of using this threesome last year when everyone was healthy. If Oakland -- which added fabulous fullback Lorenzo Neal to the mix this offseason -- can figure out a way to get maximum use out of all three tailbacks, it could have a special running game.

It better be, because there is trouble in the passing game. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell has made some strides, but he is still trying to find his way. His inconsistencies likely will continue to some degree in his second full season as a starter.

The Oakland receiving group is unproven. The team has hope for youngsters Darrius Heyward-Bey, Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins. But the unit is a work in progress. Russell does have a bail-out option in tight end Zach Miller.

The Oakland offensive line has been re-tooled some and the team is hopeful it will get more production. The key, though, is the running game. If coach Tom Cable can get the most out of the running backs, the unit could be decent.

	John Rieger/US Presswire
	Quarterback Matt Cassel hopes to build on the success he had in New England in 2008.

Kansas City: We are not saying the Kansas City offense is going to be awful. The competition is tough in this division.

The Chiefs just have more question marks and holes than Oakland. Had catch-machine Tony Gonzalez not been traded to Atlanta for a 2010 second-round draft pick, we'd probably have the Chiefs ranked No. 3. You can't lose all that production and maintain the same productivity.

New head coach Todd Haley is a dynamic offensive mind, and he will find a way to get the most out of his offense.

New quarterback Matt Cassel will be a good fit. Top receiver Dwayne Bowe is good, but he has to keep his hands on the ball. He can take the next step with Haley as his coach. Haley is hoping Bobby Engram still has something left in the tank.

It does seem that Larry Johnson will be the Kansas City running back, which appeared to be a long shot early in the offseason. Johnson can help this offense.

If Cassel adjusts quickly and he gets decent protection, this offense will have its moments. It's not a bad offense. There isn't a bad offense in the division.

Posted by ESPN's Jon Gruden

Gruden

BAGHDAD -- I think the jetlag is finally setting in.

It's very hot, the temperature is in the 100s and dust is flying everywhere.

We got in Wednesday at about 1 a.m. local time and were immediately debriefed on the day's schedule. I've never been to this part of the world, and it's not easy to get here. I had to fly from Tampa, to Dulles, and it's 13-14 hours from Dulles to Kuwait. From Kuwait, I took a two-hour flight to Baghdad.

We checked into our rooms and after a long day of travel, we tried to get some sleep because we had a long day ahead of us. This morning we were briefed by Gen. Ray Ordiano. It was unbelievable. He briefed us on what's going on in various nearby areas. We traveled with him to Masul and met several hundred service men. All branches of military were represented, and it was awesome. We signed autographs, took pictures, told stories and had a lot of fun. We took a flight to the FOB Warrior to Kirkuk and were presented with football jerseys by men in these camps. We met several hundred soldiers and had lunch after that. Thirty-three hand-picked Marines, soldiers and service members were asked to join us at lunch in the cafeteria. We mingled for a while and then Giants head coach Tom Coughlin gave a great speech to the troops.

We later went to a beautiful palace in Kirkuk called Alfau Palace, where Gen. Ordiano lives and works. While there, we participated in a roundtable discussion with the fans. Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher tried to turn some of Iraq into Steeler Nation and some of the other coaches didn't quite agree. He was even carrying around his "Terrible Towel." Overall, the event was great. A band played while we mingled with the troops. We signed everything -- footballs, towels and T-shirts, even Iraqi money. It was a beautiful setting with so much enthusiasm. So much time, effort and sacrifice has been made by these people and just to come over here and brighten their day was an awesome feeling. We were with the Army and Air Force for the majority of time today.

The hotel where we are staying is one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces. The fact we are staying in one is kind of cool, because there are some special guests here. All five of us are in the same room on double bunk beds, so there's only one coach on this trip who has to sleep on the top bunk bed and that would be me. I'm on the top bunk bed. These other guys are too big and older than me so we let Coach Cowher sleep below me. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is on his own bed. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is a big guy, so he took the lower bunk and Coughlin got a bed that would impress anybody. He's getting treated like a king -- he got a double bed. Little Jonny, the guy without the job, is stuck upstairs with no chance. We share everything in the room, even the shower. We're having so much fun. It's like we're in camp.

It's amazing what you see here. The organization and the attention to detail is amazing. The camaraderie is excellent. The pride will bring tears to your eyes. I'm really proud of these people, these warriors, these people at war here. They want to be great at what they do. They love it, and you can see it in their eyes. It's been so impressive to me. I just tip my hat to them. Coach Cowher and I kept taking off our Super Bowl rings and letting the soldiers wear them. They loved it.

They are so excited for the NFL season to start. It was very exciting and somewhat exhausting for all of us. We ran into some big fans out there. We saw Buccaneer and Oakland Raiders tattoos, Steelers Nation was well represented, and there was a pocket of Giants fans, I don't understand that, but they were here. There's just a collection of people who are really interested in football.

The New York Jets' dynamic defense just became less vibrant.

The NFL has suspended outside linebacker Calvin Pace the first four games of 2009 for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.

	Rich Kane/US PRESSWIRE
	Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended for the first four games of the season.

Pace can take part in training camp and preseason games, but he will be persona non grata at the Jets' facility beginning Sept. 5. He will miss games at the Houston Texans, against the New England Patriots, against the Tennessee Titans and at the New Orleans Saints.

He will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 5 and be able to play in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins on "Monday Night Football."

Pace responded to the suspension through a statement released by the Jets:

"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the league's policy. I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I should have paid closer attention to the league's guidelines.

"I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization, as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl."

Pace's absence will be a blow to Rex Ryan's defense. The big-ticket free agent led the Jets last year with 12 tackles for losses, tied for fifth in the NFL with five forced fumbles and recovered a team-high four. He finished with seven sacks, second to Shaun Ellis' eight.

But Pace's suspension at least should give Vernon Gholston an early opportunity to prove himself. Gholston, the sixth overall draft pick last year, made zero impact at outside linebacker.

Another possibility to step up is Marques Murrell, who was listed as Pace's backup on last year's depth chart and is said to have had a fine offseason.

The Jets better hope somebody steps up because a fast start could prove necessary to winning the AFC East, a division that might send only one team to the playoffs. The Patriots won 11 games last year and didn't get in, losing a tiebreaker to the Miami Dolphins, while the AFC North and AFC South sent two teams apiece.

The AFC East faces a far more difficult schedule this year. Their cross-divisional games are against the AFC South and NFC South.

That gives AFC East clubs four of the seven toughest schedules in the leagues based on last year's records.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- A decent amount of pressure rests on the young shoulders of Eric Wood and Andy Levitre.

The Buffalo Bills need these rookies to perform straight away for an offensive line that's going through a serious overhaul slathered with skepticism.

"We're going to have five guys probably playing in new positions up front for the Bills," Wood said at a youth football camp during the four-day NFL Rookie Symposium, which ended Wednesday at PGA National Resort and Spa.

Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters is gone, traded away to the Philadelphia Eagles to avoid another contract spat that would've doomed the season before it began. Gone is left guard Derrick Dockery, cut two years after the Bills gave him the richest contract in team history.

Those were the first dominoes in an offseason that ensured the Bills won't have any offensive linemen playing in the same position as last year.

Wood and Levitre are projected to be the starting guards, positions they weren't known for in college.

The Bills selected Wood, a star center at Louisville, with the most meaningful pick they received in the Peters trade, making him the 28th player off the board. The Bills traded up with the Dallas Cowboys to grab Levitre 51st overall. He played tackle at Oregon State.

Much will be expected of them. The Bills declined to draft a tackle to groom as Peters' replacement.

Instead, they're switching Langston Walker from right tackle to left. Last year's right guard, Brad Butler, is being shifted to Walker's old post. The Bills said goodbye to centers Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler and signed free-agent Geoff Hangartner, a Carolina Panthers reserve for half of last year.

The term "hodgepodge" comes to mind.

"I love it when people have doubts about us," Levitre said. "It just feels so much better when you can go out there and prove it. It's something to work for. You want to go out there and prove you're not a bad line just because you're new."

Perhaps no other unit needs to work in harmony more than the offensive line.

While the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets could enter 2009 with a grand total of one change on their offensive lines combined (the Dolphins have a new center), the Bills arguably have the league's most chaotic situation.

"Any time everyone's doubting you, you're definitely going to have a chip on your shoulder," Wood said. "That's a challenge we're welcoming.

"The good thing about my experience in the NFL so far is you got enough meeting time and you got enough practice time to make it work. We got some guys returning from last year and some guys that know our divisional opponents.

"It should be an easier transition than it seems, but it's definitely going to be a challenge."

Wood and Levitre will have to mature quickly. Twice a year they will be facing defenses stamped by Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Rex Ryan.

The AFC East will play against the AFC South and NFC South this year. The Bills will need to stop six of the top 11 sackmasters from last year.

"We go against some great nose guards and D-ends," Levitre said. "As long as you know what you're doing on the field, it doesn't really matter. If you know your assignments, that shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

"We got a lot of new guys on our offensive line, but I feel we're clicking pretty well. We've been working together, going out together. I think we're going to be pretty cohesive."

Wood and Levitre have each other to lean on.

As players turning pro at the same time and with expectations to start, each will know what the other is going through.

"We're both hardcore competitors and ideally we'd like to play out our careers in Buffalo and hopefully be the starters forever," Wood said. "But we got a lot to do before anything like that can happen. We realize the challenge just earning a spot on the line is."

Wood has been speaking with former Louisville mate Jason Spitz, a guard the Green Bay Packers drafted in 2006 along with guard Daryn Colledge and right tackle Tony Moll. The trio started as rookies.

The Bills are banking on versatility and intelligence with their crew. They all can play multiple positions. Hangartner started games at center and both guard spots for the Panthers last year because of injuries.

And they have impressive brains. Walker has an economics degree from California-Berkley. Butler has interned on Capitol Hill during the offseason. Hangartner scored 47 out of a possible 50 (believed to be the highest score ever by a lineman) on the Wonderlic intelligence test before the 2005 draft. Wood turned down a scholarship to play at Columbia. Levitre was academic All-Pac-10, graduating from Oregon State with degrees in finance and sociology.

"I think we're going to have a tough unit up front with a bunch of smart guys," Wood said. "From any offensive line coach you talk to, if you got smart, tough guys, you can make it work if the guys come together."

Of course, a No. 2 pencil can't help them answer the questions that will test them on Sundays.

How will the line respond with Peters and Dockery gone?

Will two rookies learn new positions adequately enough?

Can so many juggled players work in concert without a prolonged adjustment period?

"We know that we're young and new and have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be," Levitre said. "I think all of us understand that."

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has a simple solution for replacing the hole that Plaxico Burress left in the offense. He thinks it's time for quarterback Eli Manning to take on more responsibility and lead this organization to another Super Bowl.

In 2007, Manning caught lightning in a bottle for a little more than a month and helped lead the Giants to a world title. But with the loss of his combustible safety blanket, Burress, and a supporting cast comprised of talented but raw wide receivers, the Giants believe Manning can elevate his teammates to another level.

The only problem with that approach from a management standpoint is that you're increasing your quarterback's bargaining power. But I don't think the Giants are concerned about that side of the equation. And that's why Manning is poised to become the highest-paid player in league history in the next month or so.

Eli Manning #10 QB New York Giants 2008 STATS ATT CMP YDS TD INT RAT 479 289 3,064 21 10 86.4

Unless the Giants are thinking of putting the franchise tag on Manning after the '09 season -- they're not -- it's time for Reese to sit down with the agent to the star quarterbacks, Tom Condon, and get something done. So what's the going rate for a 28-year-old franchise quarterback who already has a Lombardi trophy? We know that at least one man thought defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, also 28, was worth $41 million in guaranteed money.

Haynesworth is, without argument, the best defensive tackle in the game. As a quarterback, Manning probably ranks behind Tom Brady, his older brother Peyton, Drew Brees and perhaps Ben Roethlisberger, although I could argue otherwise. And don't bring up Philip Rivers. He's put up huge numbers (but no world titles) against inferior competition in the AFC West.

With that in mind, and realizing that quarterback is the most valuable position on the field, I think Manning has a case for becoming our first $50 million (guaranteed) quarterback. The rest of the contract numbers won't matter that much. We're talking about CIF (cash in fist), and I think the $50 million figure is what Team Manning will be looking for.

A respected member of the Giants organization not named Jerry Reese told me Thursday morning, "There's no way this thing becomes contentious. Something will probably get done before the season, and everyone will move on."

	Rich Kane/US Presswire
	Eli Manning will be asked to take on more of a leadership role on the field this season.

If the Giants truly wanted to play hardball, they could point to the possibility of an uncapped season in 2010. If a collective bargaining agreement is not reached before the start of free agency next February, Manning wouldn't become an unrestricted free agent. But at this point, both sides appear to be operating as if a new CBA will be in place. The last thing the Giants want is to have Manning playing with the contract cloud hanging over his head. And that's why I think they'll make him the richest quarterback in the history of the game sometime next month.

The Cowboys let Tony Romo enter the last year of his contract in 2007, but that was a completely different situation. Romo hadn't played a full season in '06 -- and he didn't have any skins on the wall like Manning.

In 2004, Manning's big brother signed a seven-year, $98 million contract extension with the Colts that seemed off the charts at the time. But according to personnel types around the league, Eli's contract could end up somewhere in the seven-year, $120 million range, which would make him a league-high $17 million per year player. Manning likes to "Aw, shucks" his way through life, but his reps at Creative Artists Agency aren't into hometown discounts.

In talking to Giants officials, Manning's struggles last December and January did nothing to diminish his value with the franchise. With Brandon Jacobs banged up and Burress sidelined, the organization knows Manning was in a tough situation.

It's obviously not the ideal time to do a mega-contract, what with the economy in the tank and the Giants trying to finance a $1.6 billion (and rising) new stadium. There were reports in January the Giants might not have $40 million in guaranteed money available for Manning. But something tells me the Mara and Tisch families socked away a little cash for their franchise quarterback.

Becoming a $100 million quarterback doesn't mean much anymore. Even Michael Vick once broke that barrier. What matters, obviously, is the guaranteed portion of the contract. And I think Manning could sneak up on that $50 million barrier we discussed earlier.

"[Eli's] not a veteran anymore, he's a Pro Bowler -- we'll put some of this on his back," said Reese earlier this offseason. "We're going to put more of the onus on him."

And that's why Manning's about to become the wealthiest quarterback in the game.