No matter how hard people try, I refuse to worry about Kurt Warner.
Despite the I-know-something-you-don’t-know laugh he gave when asked on ESPN this afternoon if he had been in contact with another NFC West team, I refuse to show an ounce of concern.
His agent left town yesterday without a deal? Whoopee.
He’s not going anywhere, and everybody knows it.
Where else is he going to go? What other team offers the combination of:
1.) A need for a quarterback.
2.) The money he wants.
3.) A system he likes.
4.) Weather that allows that system to flourish.
5.) A team that was as close to winning it all as the Cards were.
6.) A city where his wife and seven kids want to live.
7.) A wide receiver like Larry Fitzgerald.
Plus, he keeps talking about how his “perfect scenario” is to remain with the Cardinals. When he talks about going elsewhere, he does so in tones that I usually reserve for folding laundry or taking out the trash. In other words, a chore that he’d just as soon not do.
Plus, don’t you think that other teams know he doesn’t want to leave Arizona? I do. That he might just be using them for leverage to get a better deal for Arizona? I do.
He might, and I emphasize might, get a bigger dollar offer from another team. But will it be a better situation? He’s a soon-to-be 38 year old quarterback in a system that is cut to fit his skill set like a perfectly tailored suit.
I understand his position. He just took the Arizona Cardinals to the promised land. He had a career year and wants a paycheck to match. But the Cardinals have made, what I believe to be a very fair, market-driven offer. It would be irresponsible to just give him franchise QB type money. Instead it’s an offer based on what he is….an aging quarterback with a specific set of skills.
I think the Cardinals have most of the leverage here; they’re in the position of strength. The best thing the agent has going for him isn’t the Jets or 49ers or Chiefs or Bears. It’s you. The fans. And the perception that if this goes wrong it will be the Cardinals fault no matter what.
He’s banking on the pressure you will apply to the team to get a deal done no matter what. Otherwise, the team runs the risk of being branded by the fans as (all together now) the Same Old Cardinals. The ones who are too cheap to bring back the guy who took the team to a Super Bowl. The agent is using the Cardinals history against them.
Quarterback Kerry Collins just got a two year extension from the Titans worth 15 million. 8.5 million in guaranteed money. Word is he was waiting to see what Warner was going to get but decided, why wait? Where else is Collins going to go that will be an upgrade?
Sound advice Kurt. So shop around, see what the market tells you you’re worth.
But there is not a shred of doubt in my mind at the end of the day he’ll realize what I suspect he already knows. What everybody knows. He’s not going anywhere.
Comments? Email me!
Burnsey All I can say is I hope you’re right on this one! It was bad enough when the D-backs ran Gonzo out of town - and don’t think the fans have forgotten or forgiven that one yet because we haven’t - but now to have the Cards blow the chance to re-sign Kurt is about the last straw! Again, I just hope you’re right!
Laurie, did you know the keyboard has recently added alternative punctuation marks to the exclamation point?
I agree with laurie. Love the D-backs but still have not fully forgiven for letting Gonzo go. So Cards don’t let that happen to you.
You have not forgiven the D’Backs for letting an aging, underproducing, below-average fielding outfielder leave? He didn’t want to move to first, he no longer hit for power, and at .275 and the money he wanted, why keep him?
Because he’s a good dude? Because he was a great guest host of the John Jay & Rich show, because he tends to conceive multiple children at once?
Gonzo was a centerpiece of our championship, one of the good guys in sports, but letting him go was the right move. Time to forgive. Now letting RJ & Hudson go over a couple million, not signing a single impact FA, and not making a move for the man who would make the most sense on this team and is available (Manny) - that you can not forgive them for.
I say let Kurt test the market. If the 49ers offer him what he wants and the cards dont match, OH WELL! Its not like we dont have a QB. I am not saying this QB will get us to a superbowl but he has the tools around him to get us a winning season and a shot at the playoffs. I like Warner and would like to see him stay, but I dont see him playing 2 more years. Warner wants 15 million because he plans on only playing one more year. I think the Cardinals should try to match a 15 million a year deal only if they put incentives in it. If he passes for 3500 yards and 25+ touchdowns give him money. if helps the team win 10 games give him money. In his 2nd year: give him money if he shows up for camp. If he plays 51% of the games gaurantee him the rest of his money.
I dont see Warner going anywhere else and being successful. And he does not have time on his side to play in a system that is not geared towards his strengths. Maybe the 49ers will sign Boldin and Warner. that would be great. LOL!
I say piece out Warner! (if you really want to play take 10-12 million and get us back to the superbowl).
Kurt needs to stop being a little girl. His tears mean nothing if he can’t do something for the team. Here you have FITZ offering to re-structure to keep “Q” and then he is going to be that selfish. Kurt “POUND SAND” you were lucky enough to make it through and lets not forget your weak hands and fumble tendencies! Matt, I will hold the beer bong for the girls next time - I got your back bro.
He is gone, We do not need Leinart and Warner’ salaries on the books. Warner leaves or Leinart leaves. If you want Warner to stay figure out how to get rid of Leinart!
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