What Happens with the Cardinals if Kurt Warner Retires?

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	Topic: What Happens with the Cardinals if Kurt Warner Retires?
Russell_108 Admin Membership: Starter Joined: September 04 Total Posts: 12424 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 01/27/10 12:45 Kurt Warner is scheduled to hold a press conference this Friday and announce whether he will come back for another season or retire. While I personally think Warner still has a season of football at a high level left in him, it's expected that he will choose retirement. That's his choice and I can respect a man who places his family and his health above the game I love. But what does this mean for the Arizona Cardinals? They could choose to go the route of free agency or make a trade for a QB (Donovan McNabb's name gets a lot of mentions here in Arizona). But I expect they'll turn things over to Matt Leinart. Leinart gets dumped on a lot by local and national media, but I think he is ready to step in and be a solid NFL starting QB. For over 2 years, Leinart has been on the sidelines most of the time watching Warner execute the offensive system in Arizona. Leinart was actually the starter for 11 games as a rookie and has started 17 games over his 4 year career. He's still a young QB who hasn't been given enough time to develop into the QB he can become. His stats haven't been great, but conversely they haven't been awful either. In his 17 career starts (and remember that for the first 5 games of 2007, Ken Whisenhunt used a dual QB attack with Leinart starting and Warner coming in for chunks of the game, often in red zone situations) Leinart's stat line reads 289-511 for 3,364 passing yards, 13 TD's, and 15 interceptions. Like I said, not great, but certainly not horrible either. And there's room for improvement as he acquires more playing experience. Now, the Cardinals would likely tweak their offense to be more balanced in their attack. They have a power RB in Chris Wells. They have a solid complimentary RB in Tim Hightower. Even if they trade WR Anquan Boldin, they still have Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, and emerging Early Doucet. The weapons would be in place for a game managing Leinart to succeed. Ken Whisenhunt had a strong rushing attack when he was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh a few years ago, and while it's never translated into a featured rushing attack in Arizona, he also never really had a RB like Wells to rely on. I think you'd see the Cardinals become a lot more balanced offensively if Leinart takes over. This situation kind of reminds some of the Packers situation 2 years ago with Aaron Rodgers taking over for Brett Favre. Little was known about how Rodgers would respond to having to take over for a legend in Green Bay. There were a lot of expectations and there was little history of Rodgers playing to gauge whether he'd step up and become a great NFL QB. There was so much concern in the organization that the Packers actually drafted TWO QB's that year (Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh). Rodgers was under immense scrutiny and many predicted he would fail. His arm wasn't strong enough; his passes sailed; he wasn't a commanding presence in the huddle; etc. All of these things were said about Rodgers. And all of themhave been said, are being said, or will be said again, about Leinart. I was not one of those who predicted doom for Rodgers. And I'm not predicting doom for Leinart. Did I see how great Rodgers would turn out to be? No. But I certainly gave him a chance for it. Same chance I'm giving Leinart. I'm cautiously optimistic of his chances to step in and become a solid NFL QB. Warner will always hold a special place in my heart as he took my two favorite franchises (Rams and Cardinals) to Super Bowls. He lifted what seemed to be perpetually losing teams and helped made them winners. Warner should someday be in the NFL Hall of Fame. If the speculation is correct, and he is going to announce his retirement, I think Leinart becomes one of the prime QB 2010 fantasy football sleepers. Unless they go get themselves a QB like McNabb. Then, all bets are off. ---- On any given Sunday any fantasy team can beat another, only to still lose Monday night.
michael_7626 Membership: Starter Joined: November 05 Total Posts: 540 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 01/29/10 09:51 it will be a sad day to see warner call it quits. maybe just maybe one more year. ---- FRANKLIN FLYERS
tony_8690 Membership: Bench Warmer Joined: August 06 Total Posts: 908 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 01/30/10 17:07 Warner is a class act and will surely be missed. I have to agree with you Russ. If Matt Leinart can play like he did in the preseason, the Cards should be fine. It's there Defense that has issue in my eyes. ----
Niner Boy Rick_108738 Membership: Bench Warmer Joined: September 09 Total Posts: 26 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 01/31/10 09:35 OK Warner is gone. Defense is terrible. Back to Same old Cardinals. Niners will be back on top the NFC West where they belong. 5 rings to 0 rings cream rises to the top So what's your pick on the Bowl? I say time for Manning to get some"Remeber me Shots" Saints 34 Colts 31
Russell_108 Admin Membership: Starter Joined: September 04 Total Posts: 12424 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 02/02/10 08:19 Super Bowl pick will be forthcoming. I wouldn't raise the 49ers to the top of the NFC West yet though. Bt it is clearly a 2 horse race between Cards and 49ers unless there are utstanding moves in the off-season by Seattle (the Rams are just hoping to get to 6-10). ---- On any given Sunday any fantasy team can beat another, only to still lose Monday night.
James_4852 Moderator Membership: Starter Joined: August 05 Total Posts: 3479 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 02/02/10 11:36 The Niners still have QB issues and need one more receiver. Plus, their secondary is very weak. The Cardinals are just a mess defensively. Plus Leinart has shown nothing thus far to make anyone believe he can be the man throwing the rock. He has the physical tools. It's just that mental factor I don't think he will ever have. I like the 49er's next year to make a move. James ---- Full time Ghostbuster!
michael_7626 Membership: Starter Joined: November 05 Total Posts: 540 Favorite Team: Offline	Post Date: 02/03/10 10:37 the cards need to go out and get a veteran QB, then they will be just fine. not yet 49'er fans. ---- FRANKLIN FLYERS
dana_260 Admin Membership: Starter Joined: September 04 Total Posts: 2173 Offline	Post Date: 02/07/10 06:48 NinerBoy you have serious disdain, speaking of 0-rings you had better get yours checked, it seems your cream is rising to the top you had better get that cleaned up before the pages to your niner media guide get stuck together. Yes, The Cards need Defense, Defense and more Defense- I'll get to that with a new topic- 2010 NFL Draft; Your Team Hopefuls.
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