Kurt Warner: The Hall of Fame Case

[kerouac9]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2014/kurt-warner-hall-fame-case

In 1998, a legendary quarterback started his NFL career. He soon took control of one of the league's worst teams and turned them into an offensive juggernaut. It wasn't long before this deadly accurate quarterback earned MVP awards, set passing records and won a championship.

That was supposed to be the story of Peyton Manning, the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft. That was actually the story of Kurt Warner, the greatest undrafted success in NFL history.

 

[NJCardFan]

Comparing him to a legend IMO gets him in. I compared Warner to Namath. Namath played in 140 games. Kurt played in 124. In that time period, here are Namath's numbers:

1886-3762 50.1% 27,663 yards 173 TD 220 INT 65.5 Rating 62-63-4 record 2 playoff appearances, 1 Super Bowl win

KW's numbers:

2666-4070 65.5% 32,344 yards 208 TD 128 INT 93.7 Rating 66-49-0 Record 3 Super Bowl appearances(2 different teams) 1 Super Bowl win

Namath played in 16 more games than KW which is basically one complete season in the 16 game season era. Even though Namath didn't play in a pass happy offense he is often praised for his passing prowess. Look at his numbers. He threw a little over 300 less passes than KW but threw INT's at a clip of one every 17 attempts while KW's Att/INT ratio is 1 INT every 32 attempts. Much more accurate passer. Namath is looked at not only as a Hall of Famer but as an all time great when his numbers simply don't back it up. Warner is twice the QB Namath ever was. IMO there is no debate. Kurt Warner is a hall of famer plain and simple.

But leaving Namath out of it, compare KW with someone like Jim Kelly. Kelly played in 36 more games as KW and yet KW has a better completion % and overall rating not to mention that KW has a SB win while Kelly doesn't and Kelly only went to 1 more SB. KW should be a slam dunk. His career merit's a first ballot entry.

 

[kerouac9]

That's a terrible comparison.

 

[devilalum]

IMO the Kurt Warner story makes him a lock. This is the kind of stuff the hall is full of. Nobody wants to read about the golden boy with the NFL dad. The fact that KW fought his way through the Arena league and bagged groceries in addition to his success makes him hall worthy. This is the American Dream personified.

 

[Mulli]

I am not so sure about the Peyton Manning slight.

It wasn't long before this deadly accurate quarterback earned MVP awards, set passing records and won a championship.

Doesn't this apply to Peyton as well?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I am not so sure about the Peyton Manning slight.

Doesn't this apply to Peyton as well?

My thoughts exactly. Peyton is also 1-2 in Super Bowls and is still active so he could add more.

 

[Mulli]

If people didn't like Warner, he might have a little bit of trouble getting in, but since he is nice, he will get in no trouble.

 

[devilalum]

If people didn't like Warner, he might have a little bit of trouble getting in, but since he is nice, he will get in no trouble.

Nice? He has the numbers and the hardware AND his story is nothing short of incredible. He needs to be in the hall.

 

[Mulli]

Nice? He has the numbers and the hardware AND his story is nothing short of incredible. He needs to be in the hall.

That too.

 

[Cheesebeef]

IMO the Kurt Warner story makes him a lock. This is the kind of stuff the hall is full of. Nobody wants to read about the golden boy with the NFL dad. The fact that KW fought his way through the Arena league and bagged groceries in addition to his success makes him hall worthy. This is the American Dream personified.

yeah...just after he retired I think I made the argument that he was iffy to get in, but upon further reflection, his story is simply the stuff of legends. He rose from the ashes...TWICE and taking TWO atrocious franchises to the Super Bowl. I don't know if he's first ballot or not, but I think he eventually deserves to get in.

 

[TRW]

He's first ballot just getting the CARDINALS into a SB IMO!

Seriously, his is an unbelievable story, a real feel good, good guy wins kind of story. If not first ballot then I am certain he will be in the HOF in pretty short order thereafter.

That was, without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had as a football fan when they went to that SB.

 

[SO91]

Reading that made me want to re-watch some of those playoff games. Are they available somewhere online?

 

[BigRedRage]

gameday rewind should have them.

 

[BigRedFan]

I agree he is HOF worthy and Joe Namath was overrated. However, a direct comparison of stats from passers from different eras is not fair due to new rules which opened up the passing game, new offensive philosophies, (before Air Coryell and west coast offenses) etc. If you look at every QB in the league before 1978 (when new rules were implemented, they all appear terrible compared to todays QB statistics. The top rated QB of all time in the 70s was Staubach, and his numbers would only be average today.

 

[THESMEL]

well on the dark side- you add Warner's INT's and fumbles together and he is right up there with Terry Bradshaw in turnovers. Yes Warner belongs in the HOF for his top performances, and records, but he did bounce around a lot and was not consistent throughout his career.

He may not be a SB winner if the Titans wasn't 1 and 1/2 yards short. But they were! So I don't think Kurt is 1st ballot but he'll get in there eventually. Probably after Peyton and Eli Manning.

 

[Jetstream Green]

well on the dark side- you add Warner's INT's and fumbles together and he is right up there with Terry Bradshaw in turnovers. Yes Warner belongs in the HOF for his top performances, and records, but he did bounce around a lot and was not consistent throughout his career.

He may not be a SB winner if the Titans wasn't 1 and 1/2 yards short. But they were! So I don't think Kurt is 1st ballot but he'll get in there eventually. Probably after Peyton and Eli Manning.

Hey Thesmel, Terry Bradshaw is in the Hall of Fame, so I do not see the logic and using that as a 'dark side' argument. Now if you mentioned he was right up there with Dave Krieg in turnovers, you have something lol

 

[Darkside]

Kurt is getting into the Hall on his story alone. And the fact that he took two hapless franchises to the SB and won 1 is the stuff of legend. It's precisely what the NFL wants and hopes to market: that a small town nobody bagging groceries can make it.

Kurt gets in on his story, but Peyton Manning is the stuff of football. He's akin to Jonny Unitas. Unitas changed the game. Manning changed the game. Changed it. Fundamentally altered the trajectory of what it was and made it something else. While Kurt's story is amazing, he didn't change football, he "merely" elevated himself into territory already owned by others, which is remarkable in itself. But he didn't change the game, he didn't change what QB is. He didn't change what they do and what they're worth and where they're drafted. Peyton Manning fundamentally altered the QB position and its value.

 

[Mulli]

Eli Manning 171 INT and 80 fumbles in 153 games and counting.

Kurt Warner 128 INT and 102 fumbles in 124 games.

Eli INT% 3.4

Kurt 3.1

 

[cardncubfan]

Eli Manning 171 INT and 80 fumbles in 153 games and counting.

Kurt Warner 128 INT and 102 fumbles in 124 games.

Eli INT% 3.4

Kurt 3.1

I really don't see Eli getting in.

 

[NJCardFan]

well on the dark side- you add Warner's INT's and fumbles together and he is right up there with Terry Bradshaw in turnovers. Yes Warner belongs in the HOF for his top performances, and records, but he did bounce around a lot and was not consistent throughout his career.

He may not be a SB winner if the Titans wasn't 1 and 1/2 yards short. But they were! So I don't think Kurt is 1st ballot but he'll get in there eventually. Probably after Peyton and Eli Manning.

You might want to check your facts. For starters, the Titans were 1 1/2 yards short so you can dispense with the 'what if's'. Also, even if they score, they tie the game at best but they did not so KW is a hall of famer. Look, I realize you toss off to Leinart but Warner is a hall of famer on a slam dunk. His numbers alone prove it.

 

[Mulli]

You might want to check your facts. For starters, the Titans were 1 1/2 yards short so you can dispense with the 'what if's'. Also, even if they score, they tie the game at best but they did not so KW is a hall of famer. Look, I realize you toss off to Leinart but Warner is a hall of famer on a slam dunk. His numbers alone prove it.

 

[NJCardFan]

I really don't see Eli getting in.

Explain.

 

[NJCardFan]

That's a terrible comparison.

Explain.

 

[cardncubfan]

You might want to check your facts. For starters, the Titans were 1 1/2 yards short so you can dispense with the 'what if's'. Also, even if they score, they tie the game at best but they did not so KW is a hall of famer. Look, I realize you toss off to Leinart but Warner is a hall of famer on a slam dunk. His numbers alone prove it.

Uncalled for.

 

[Mulli]

http://www.footballperspective.com/joe-namath-has-become-footballs-most-misunderstood-quarterback/

Namath’s career is misunderstood for several reasons. Younger fans think he’s famous because of The Guarantee, but he would have been an elite quarterback (and was acknowledged as one by his contemporaries) even if he never won a Super Bowl. He was among the best ever at avoiding sacks, an often overlooked but key element of effective quarterback play. He played in one of the worst eras for quarterbacks to compile strong passing stats, which is why his numbers don’t compare to modern quarterbacks. And his career arc was unusual, which further makes the use of career numbers an inappropriate way to understand Namath’s career.