| With three starters departing from a once solid secondary, it's come time for McAlister to become noticed as one of the elite corners in the NFL. Although he is certainly on the periphery, McAlister is not quite at the level he needs to be. He still tends to watch the quarterback while in coverage, instead of playing the ball. Still, he is easily regarded as one of the truely gifted players at his position. At 6'1, 206 pounds, McAlister has the size to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, and to physically handle covering bigger receivers. McAlister, along with his new partner Gary Baxter, have the prototypical size/speed combination every team is craving for from their CBs.
Chris McAlister was drafted in the First Round, Number 10 Overall, out of the University of Arizona in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Chris McAlister Facts: Wore #11 as a Wildcat... All-American in 1998... All-PAC 10 in 1996, 1997 & 1998... Chris was the first player in the University of Arizona history to score a touchdown on an interception, a kickoff return and a punt return in the same season and in a career...
Mel Kiper(1999)"The Ravens were fortunate to get Chris McAlister out of Arizona. This defensive back just glides. He's so effortless in his motion. He has a sense of what's going on and a great burst to go with the anticipation in coverage." ... Started his Ravens career by wearing #28... Chris in 2000 on Christmas Eve against the Jets and Vinny Testeverde intercepted a pass late in the 1st have and raced 98 Yards to put the Ravens in the lead and on their way to Super Bowl Winning Playoff Run... In 2002, on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, Chris set a new NFL record for longest play with a 107-yard return for a TD on a missed field goal in the closing seconds of the first half... In 2003 Against ex-Raven Jeff Blake C-Mac had 2 Picks and returned 1 83 Yards for a TD to help seal the Ravens win in Arizona against the Cardinals... 2003 & 2004, Chris has been designated with the "Franchise Player" Tag... The Tag will mean McAlister should get paid in the neighborhood of $6.8 million to play CB for the Ravens in 2004... He's still looking for a long term deal and has stated he wants to remain a Raven...
Chris McAlister 2004 Ravens Facts: Made the 2004 Pro Bowl, but opted out due to injury...
Chris McAlister Contract Status: Per Vincent Ottone of RavensInsider.com, A report on ESPN.com has put the amount of guaranteed money Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister is set to receive in his contract at $17.5 million. According to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, McAlister received an initial signing bonus of $10 million and will get a second-tier option bonus of $7.5 million. His base salaries are: $535,000 (for 2004), $965,000 (2005), $5.5 million (2006), $6.5 million (2007) and $8 million each (2008-2010). |
