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Dwayne Blakley.

The name doesn't ring many bells outside Atlanta, where Blakely serves as the Falcons' third-string tight end, but he's easily recognizable to Steve McNair. Blakely is the face of the Titans quarterback's current frustration.

It all started when tight end Frank Wycheck, for year's McNair's most trusted receiver, retired in January. In March the Titans traded their big-play wideout, Justin McCareins, to the Jets, figuring they'd lose him to unrestricted free agency at the end of the season anyway. The face of the franchise, running back Eddie George, was let go in July.

By the end of training camp, McNair had developed a chemistry with, of all people, Blakely, who had had stints on practice squads in Kansas City, Miami, and San Diego before Tennessee. McNair grew to trust the first-year player from Missouri and is said to have been furious when the Titans waived him in September.

Now another f-word is being used in association with McNair: frustrated. It boiled over after Sunday's loss in Houston, in which McNair -- all in the second half -- set up a Texans touchdown with a fumble deep in Titans territory, cost the Titans a score with a fumble near the Texans' end zone, and threw an interception with Tennessee trailing by three points with two minutes left.

After the loss, which dropped the Titans to 4-7, the league's ultimate warrior hinted that he may consider hanging up his armor after this, his 10th season.

"This whole season hasn't been a consistent thing for this offense and myself," McNair told reporters. "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."

He added, "You have to look at the injury aspect of myself and this ball club. I feel like at this point in time you have to take a hard look at it. 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."

Now, you can read into McNair's comments and interpret that he's contemplating retirement, or you can do what the Titans did and see that McNair's statements weren't as much an admission of mortality as a plea for help. People inside the Titans organization, according to one such person, took McNair's comments as a serious threat to quit unless management quits disassembling and upgrades his supporting cast.

No, this wasn't Brett Favre foreseeing the end. Most can't imagine McNair calling it a career just a season after the best campaign of his career, for which he shared league MVP honors with Peyton Manning. Receiver Derrick Mason estimated the odds of his quarterback retiring at "five percent … probably less than that," and a team source set them at "1 in 50" that McNair wouldn't be back next year. It may be that McNair is having difficulty seeing the point of putting his body through additional punishment for a franchise so cap strapped to where it could not afford a 45th player's salary for Sunday's game. Injured running back Chris Brown was active but did not dress against Houston.

McNair, who will turn 32 in February, still is an elite quarterback. Sunday he was scrambling like it's 1999. It's been about that long since the Titans made a significant addition to their offense (tackle Fred Miller in 2000).

And to add insult to the bruised sternum with which McNair is playing, he's probably guilty of coveting his neighbor's belongings, though God probably would let this one go. The Colts have done nothing but surround soon-to-be two-time MVP Manning with talent. Edgerrin James is a first-round pick. Reggie Wayne is a No. 1. Dallas Clark is a No. 1. Marcus Pollard is a former "franchise" player. Indy signed Brandon Stokley per Manning's request.

Now, you can read into McNair's comments and interpret that he's contemplating retirement, or you can do what the Titans did and see that McNair's statements weren't as much an admission of mortality as a plea for help.

Meanwhile, McNair has been disarmed. Tennessee used a second-round pick on Florida tight end Ben Troupe, but he has trouble executing the plays in practice. At least he is practicing. Last year's second-rounder and supposed replacement for McCareins, Tyrone Calico, is hurt. Tight ends Erron Kinney and Shad Meier each have missed time with injuries. Brown has been better but far less durable than George. The offensive linemen have been too beat up themselves to adequately protect their quarterback.

Sunday at the RCA Dome, McNair gets to watch Manning continue his assault on the single-season record for touchdown passes. The Titans, once an explosive passing offense but now devoid of deep threats, are 26th in yards per pass attempt at 6.15. McNair led the league last year at 8.04. Trying to carry the team, McNair has seen his rating drop from a league-leading 100.4 last season to 73.1 this year, 24th in the league and his worst since 1997, his first season as the full-time starter.

On the other hand there's Manning, who continues to rack up the touchdowns by simply running the offense.

From 1999 to 2003, the Titans won more regular-season games (56) than any other team. That successful run has been interrupted.

It very well could end if McNair walks away. Tennessee would be wise not to call his bluff.

And to give Blakley a call in the offseason.

Michael Smith is a senior writer for ESPN.com.