BALTIMORE (AP) – Even with all his experience, Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair admits he’s nervous for his Ravens debut Friday night against the New York Giants.

The veteran passer, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Tennessee franchise before coming to Baltimore in an off-season trade, has competed with the NFL elite at the Pro Bowl, shared MVP honors with Peyton Manning and demonstrated grit by undergoing six major surgeries.

“I’m very excited. I’m a little nervous, but that’s part of it,” McNair said. “I think after the first play, things will settle down and I’ll be back to normal. The most important thing is execution when you’re out there and getting some rhythm going early. The plays that I’m out there, I want to look sharp and crisp.”

Meanwhile, the Giants won’t be at full strength because coach Tom Coughlin plans to rest several key players, including: linebacker LaVar Arrington (knee), tight end Jeremy Shockey (post-concussion syndrome), linebacker Carlos Emmons (neck burner), wide receiver Santorice Moss (quadriceps) and offensive guard Chris Snee (knee).

This game marks the return to Baltimore of former Ravens four-year starting free safety Will Demps, who signed with the Giants after the Ravens made no effort to retain him when he became a free agent. “At first, it’s like, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to go back to Baltimore,”‘ Demps said. “But the more I think about it, the Giants are my team and they’re my home and I’m going to treat it like any other game.

“I’m not going to lie and say there aren’t going to be any emotions, because I started my career there. When I step between the white lines, it’s going to be football. I’ll say hi to everybody after the game.”

Ravens coach Brian Billick has scripted the starters to run 15 to 20 snaps, or roughly the entire first quarter.

During that period, Billick wants to see a specific progression from McNair, whose second pass in Saturday’s scrimmage against the Washington Redskins was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

“Articulate the offense,” said Billick, outlining his goal sheet for McNair. “I expect a check or two, pick up a blitz or two and just execute the game plan, basically.”

McNair, who supplanted erratic former starter Kyle Boller in June when the Ravens traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans and signed him to a $32 million contract, appears to have grasped the offense quickly.

He went through a crash course of summer school with offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, who cut short his Montana vacation to get McNair up to speed.

“So far, Steve has picked up everything pretty good,” said Fassel, the former Giants head coach. “He’s definitely lived up to all our expectations. It’s not surprising to see him pick things up fast. Steve kind of knows what’s coming.

“Now, I want to see it under game conditions. This is the first time where a quarterback is live where they have to take that hit and get back up, or avoid a guy and make a throw. He’s got to get into the flow.”

McNair is eager to test himself and this offense against a defense that features Pro Bowl defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.

Not every player participating in this game is as eager as McNair.

When asked if he was looking forward to playing Baltimore, running back Tiki Barber replied matter-of-factly, “Not at all. It’s a chance to get used to hitting again and to get a look at a lot of the young guys, but other than that, it serves no purpose other than to get you hurt.”