McNair hangs up helmet

Steve McNair intended to complete the final three years of his contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He worked hard during the off-season and arrived at minicamp in Owings Mills, Md., ready to assume his role as the starting quarterback.

His body had other plans.

McNair announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 13-year career in which he was selected co-MVP, led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl and orchestrated the most successful regular season in the Ravens history. He received a standing ovation from his teammates after revealing his decision, then contained his emotions during a hastily arranged news conference.

"Coming out and making this decision, it was hard," he said. "In your mind, you feel like you can play, that you can still compete. But when your mind and your body are not in accord, it's not going to work in the National Football League.

"My mind was there. Mentally, I could go out and play. But physically, I couldn't do it anymore. Not to the capacity that I need to help my teammates win a football game."

The 35-year-old McNair guided the Ravens to a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2006, his first season in Baltimore. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.

McNair developed back and shoulder injuries and played in only six games in 2007.

"My mind was telling me, 'Yes,' and my body was like, 'No, what are you doing?' I came up with (the idea of retiring) two or three days ago, but it's been lingering ever since December."

Did Dolphins tip hands? Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue, or subterfuge scripted by Bill Parcells.

Or maybe Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland inadvertently tipped his hand regarding the team's plan with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

At a news conference Thursday to discuss the draft, Ireland said he wouldn't talk about the Dolphins' strategy, and he didn't discuss specific players. But one comment he made was surprisingly specific.

"Of course I want guys that have great upside," Ireland said. "This is the first pick in the draft. This guy is going to be -- you hope that he's a pillar of your defense for a long time."

Defense? That would be news. As Ireland continued, the room broke out in laughter.

"What did I say?" he asked.

"You said, 'pillar of your defense,' " someone replied.

Ireland's face began to turn red.

"Pillar of your defense, or offense, or team," he said to more laughter. "That's a Freudian slip."

Or perhaps a smoke screen, someone suggested.

"I'll let you guys decide," Ireland said.

His boss, Parcells, would be the sort to devise that sort of misdirection. It counters speculation the Dolphins want to sign Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as their top pick before the draft starts April 26. Miami began negotiations last week with Long's agent.

If the Dolphins have instead decided to pick a defensive player, the likely choice will be Virginia defensive end Chris Long, Ohio State linebacker Vernon Gholston or Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.