It is highly unlikely that the head coach or starting quarterback of any first place NFL team in the history of the league has to answer questions about fans who might sell their tickets to the fans of the opposition.

But that’s the position Ken Whisenhunt and Kurt Warner were in on Monday.  Practically begging Cardinal fans not to sell their tickets this week to Dallas fans.

Whisenhunt:   “I know from people having discussed this with me, that this is something that’s happened in the past here and I hope all our fans hold onto their tickets and support us.”

He sound like a traveler in a foreign land trying to deal with some unusual custom that he is unaware of.  Can’t blame him…he comes from Pittsburgh.

Warner:  “I think it stinks.”

I think most agree with the Cards QB.  But I have no shame in admitting it.  If I had tickets to this weekends game, I’d sell them.  Faster than you can say “how ‘bout them Cowboys!”

Reason 1—Reality.   I need the money.  Quick show of hands….who reading this right now couldn’t use an extra $400-$1000 dollars in your pocket right now?  In a down economy and living in a market hit harder than others due to the sliding housing market, goodness knows I could.  Betcha you could too.  How much less is your house worth now than it was two years ago.  And if I could take that money and pay for the kids’ Christmas presents, or pay off a credit card, or just put it in savings…..truth is I could sit here and rattle of a thousand things I could do with that money all of which are worth more than going to a game.

Reason 2—Technology.  High Def TV’s.  Direct TV.  Stereo surround sound.  Cool graphics.  A better view than I get at the stadium.  Plus, the beer is cheaper, the line for the bathroom shorter and there’s much more room on my couch for my butt than there is in between the armrests of a stadium seat.

Reason 3—I don’t feel like any less of a fan by doing it.  It’s true that there is not another market in the NFL (save for maybe San Deigo) that would be having this conversation.  I can’t imagine Steelers fans selling their tickets to Browns fans.  Chiefs fans selling their tickets to Raiders fans.  But c’mon, you’re really going to compare Kansas City or Pittsburgh or any other team to the Arizona Cardinals?  Kansas City went to the playoffs in 2006.  The Steelers won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.  The Arizona Cardinals have had one winning season since moving here 20 years ago.  They’ve won one playoff game in more than half a century.  It’s getting better under coach Whisenhunt, I’ll give you that, but Cardinal fans get a little leeway in my book.  You want better fans?  Give me a better team.  Until then I can do what I want with my tickets with no guilt attached.