A word of praise for Leinart.

[Spielman]

With the controversy over Boldin's actions and attitude, I'd like to point out a couple of observations.

After the offense scored the two-point conversion to go up by seven, when Warner came to the sidelines, Matt Leinart was there greeting him with an enthusiastic hug and thump on the back.

When Dockett picked off the lateral to clinch the game, Leinart was again right there picking Warner off the ground with a hug, wearing a huge grin on his face.

He looked as happy as anyone in the postgame celebration. I liked seeing that. And I still think he's got a shot to be a good NFL QB.

 

[Second Deck]

I don't know what the Cardinals are thinking but I cannot see us letting Lienart get away. You certainly have to bring Kurt back for two more years I will have to look at Joe's capsheet again to see the impact. What do you think Warner will want 7 Mil a year?

 

[CtCardinals78]

Yup he does. I have done a 180 on Warner and want him back next year but I have a sneaking suspicion that after the Cards win the SB Warner will retire. I hope not.

 

[TigToad]

I totally agree. When Matt has gotten in, he's shown he can be a NFL starter... but Warner is the man right now. I want both.

 

[moklerman]

I noticed how excited and genuinely happy he seemed to be and felt kind of bad when Bradshaw was interviewing Warner at the post game ceremony. Leinart was on stage right behind Bradshaw and Warner and his last question, directed to the fans, was if they wanted Warner back next year. Everyone seemed to cheer but it also seemed kind of awkward. For some reason it seemed like a cheap way to stir it up a little by Bradshaw.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I noticed how excited and genuinely happy he seemed to be and felt kind of bad when Bradshaw was interviewing Warner at the post game ceremony. Leinart was on stage right behind Bradshaw and Warner and his last question, directed to the fans, was if they wanted Warner back next year. Everyone seemed to cheer but it also seemed kind of awkward. For some reason it seemed like a cheap way to stir it up a little by Bradshaw.

I felt exactly the same way man. That was really awkward. I felt weird listening to it. I have been a Warner backer ever since he signed here, but I am even starting to feel bad for Matt. I cant feel too bad though for someone who got paid 50 million for 15 games. Hopefully we are keep him, though I do think warner will leave if he wins another SB.

 

[hafey]

I too have switched my position and would like to see Warner return, if that's what he wants. Say what you will about Leinart, but I don't think he's an idiot. I think he knows it is a matter of when not if that he takes over for Warner. In the mean time Warner is creating unprecedented success as well as developing a strong and cohesive offensive identity for the franchise. In the long run those are things that will benefit Matt when he does start.

 

[Totally_Red]

I noticed that as well.

For all the talk about Matt demanding a trade if Kurt is re-signed for two years, he'd be crazy to do that. With this offense, he's got a shot at being a very good NFL quarterback. We saw what he could do at USC with all their solid players. Now with the component of skill players and coaching staff in place, when Matt finally gets his shot, he's got an opportunity to excel in my opinion.

 

[Reddog]

Yup he does. I have done a 180 on Warner and want him back next year but I have a sneaking suspicion that after the Cards win the SB Warner will retire. I hope not.

I hope he does. I love Kurt but there would be no greater legacy than winning a Superbowl for the Cards and leaving physically/mentally in tact at the top of his game. I also want to see the Cards as a perennial winner that can adjust and keep adding talent and go back to the playoffs next year with Lienart at the helm - oh and btw with Warner as the QB coach who comes out of retirement if we need him.

 

[moklerman]

Warner will not be coaching. Once he's gone, he's gone. But I don't think that's in '09. Regardless of the outcome of the SB, he'll be back at least one more year IMO. Whis has said a couple of times on the Wolfley show that he hopes Warner comes back and I think Warner will want to have at least one year where he's the unquestioned starter going into camp and can enjoy a swan song.

I don't think there's any way he hangs 'em up after his body starts to recover and the '09 season starts to approach. The big-ass grin that he had after the game yesterday makes me think he's enjoying himself too much to just walk away.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Kurt Warner is (37) years old....

and he's a family man. I think win or lose he retires. Notice one of the 1st things he did after the WIN was to look for his wife & kids. ...And did ANY of us on here think he'd play the ENTIRE season?? Man, he took a beating. Though in the play-offs the O-Line has REALLY stepped up. Anyways, I think Matt knows he's in a GREAT spot and he's learning from one of the BEST in the business. NOT only in knowledge of the game BUT in the way he handles himself on & off the field. LEADERSHIP WINS GAMES!! BUT for now I'm just going to ENJOY THE MOMENT!!

 

[az jam]

Kurt will be 38 in June. I also have changed my position and do want him back with Leinart as his backup for 2009. Then in 2010 Leinart can take over and Warner backing him. Matt may not be happy in that role but is under contract.

 

[ajcardfan]

Warner will not retire. He's playing too well. When you put up a 145.7 passer rating in the NFC Championship, you've got too much left in the tank to hang it up just yet.


Once Leinart gets the reins, he's going to do very well. I think it's going to turn out that sitting and learning from Warner was the best possible thing to happen to him. Even though it was hard to take getting benched. The guy was genuinely thrilled after the game yesterday, he's a leader.

 

[moklerman]

Notice one of the 1st things he did after the WIN was to look for his wife & kids.

He's been doing that since '99 and probably earlier. If I had to guess, I'd say that he hasn't made a definitive statement because his contract is up and he wants to see what the Cardinals are going to offer.

 

[Spielman]

Warner will not be coaching. Once he's gone, he's gone. But I don't think that's in '09. Regardless of the outcome of the SB, he'll be back at least one more year IMO. Whis has said a couple of times on the Wolfley show that he hopes Warner comes back and I think Warner will want to have at least one year where he's the unquestioned starter going into camp and can enjoy a swan song.

On the other hand, he knows very well that that stuff can go wrong pretty quick. There's no guaranteed swan song in the NFL... you can get Joe Theismanned at any time.

That said, I think his odds of putting up another great season if he comes back are pretty darned good. They mostly did a very good job of keeping up upright all season, and there's no reason to suspect that that's going to go backwards for next year.

 

[moklerman]

That said, I think his odds of putting up another great season if he comes back are pretty darned good. They mostly did a very good job of keeping up upright all season, and there's no reason to suspect that that's going to go backwards for next year.

If anything, I think with the offense finally finding it's identity and learning the hard way to stay committed to the run, he may take fewer hits if he plays in '09. Facing some very tough teams the last few weeks he hasn't really been taking too many hits with defenses being unable to pin their collective ears back.

I really thought the offense would be further along more quickly this year and Warner's year would resemble the last couple of years for Elway in Denver. He didn't have to carry the team like he had in the past and could really take advantage of timely passing instead of constant passing.

 

[CT Card Fan]

I don't see why Warner/Leinart can't be like Favre/Rodgers in Green Bay...with one exception. Hopefully, Warner wouldn't flip-flop on his future like Favre did.

Leinart couldn't get a much better experience to watch and learn from, even if it is for a little longer. Rodgers sat forever and was able to step in and do pretty well after all of that down time. And, while Warner has been durable this year and fought through a lot last year, Leinart is just one play away from being the now guy and not the future guy.

 

[Gambit]

I noticed that too. He had a huge smile on his face and was talking with the players, celebrating with them and talking things over with Kurt. I know he wants to be the guy, and it's bittersweet, but I think he's genuinely happy for Kurt.

 

[Gambit]

I noticed how excited and genuinely happy he seemed to be and felt kind of bad when Bradshaw was interviewing Warner at the post game ceremony. Leinart was on stage right behind Bradshaw and Warner and his last question, directed to the fans, was if they wanted Warner back next year. Everyone seemed to cheer but it also seemed kind of awkward. For some reason it seemed like a cheap way to stir it up a little by Bradshaw.

Agree. It may have just been a player trying to help another player in contract negotiations, but it came out wrong.

 

[green machine]

The perfect world for the Cards is to win the Super Bowl and have Warner retire on top.

That way the SB win buys them a grace period to be not so great (hell, who expected the Cards to even reach the SB?), and allows Leinart to take over without controversy.

That would be a perfect world, in my opinion.

 

[moklerman]

That would be a perfect world, in my opinion.

"perfect"? If I had my druthers, I would re-structure Leinart and keep him in the wings, re-structure Boldin with some of that money and re-sign Warner and try to continue next year what was started this year. I mean, we're talking perfect world.

 

[green machine]

"perfect"? If I had my druthers, I would re-structure Leinart and keep him in the wings, re-structure Boldin with some of that money and re-sign Warner and try to continue next year what was started this year. I mean, we're talking perfect world.

I guess. Believe me, I'm sold on Warner. He's earned my respect, and I totally appreciate what he's done.

I just don't want that respect and appreciation to cost us Leinart, because that would be folly in my opinion.

Thus, in my perfect world, Warner gets a storybook ending to his career and the Cards get to see what they have in Leinart, and nobody would have any real complaints.

 

[moklerman]

Thus, in my perfect world, Warner gets a storybook ending to his career and the Cards get to see what they have in Leinart, and nobody would have any real complaints.

Leinart's signed through 2012 though. Why would he be lost if Warner came back next year or even through 2010? That would still be 2 years to see what Leinart had if Warner was the starter for the next 32 games(which is unlikely).

 

[green machine]

Leinart's signed through 2012 though. Why would he be lost if Warner came back next year or even through 2010? That would still be 2 years to see what Leinart had if Warner was the starter for the next 32 games(which is unlikely).

I'm pretty sure there are roster bonuses and what not that would he would get long before anyone knows if he's worth it.

I could be wrong though.

And I sure don't want this to turn into a Warner vs. Leinart thread, because we had those, and hell, you win, I was wrong

But, like I said, I don't want them to lose Leinart, whether it be because of FA or because they feel like they have to let him go.

 

[conraddobler]

Leinart's signed through 2012 though. Why would he be lost if Warner came back next year or even through 2010? That would still be 2 years to see what Leinart had if Warner was the starter for the next 32 games(which is unlikely).

I'm thinking the whole thing will eventually work out.

Matt dosent' strike me as the type of QB Whiz likes, he scowled at him in relief a ton more than I've ever seen him scowl at Warner.

Then again you wouldn't bother hating on someone you planned to ditch, tough to say what happens.

I just hope Warner is faced with deciding to retire or not after hoisting the Lombardi one time for us.

I take back everything negative I've ever said about the man.