Making The Case For Warner as Starting QB

[Mitch]

Yeah, Matt Leinart was a top ten draft pick and is supposed to be the franchise QB...but...after Leinart got hurt, Kurt Warner put up some numbers that are hard to ignore...and did so with his left elbow in a bulky protective wrap.

Of all NFL QBs who passed more than 400 times last year, Warner had the #8 QB Rating, just slightly under Matt Hasselbeck's #6 rating.

But look at their numbers and compare:



Hasselbeck: 352/562, 62.6%, 3966 yds, 7.06 ypc, 65 long, 28/12 TD/INT, 91.4 rating.

Warner: 281/451, 62.3%, 3417 yards, 7.58 ypc, 62 long, 27/17 TD/INT, 89.8 rating.

Hasselbeck threw 111 more passes than Warner and Warner had one less TD (28/27)...but 5 more interceptions (12/17). But Hasselbeck has an All-Pro in Walter Jones protecting his blindside.

Hasselbeck is the top rated QB in the NFC West. Marc Bulger was ranked in the late 20s...and Alex Smith was ranked in the 30s.

In Warner we watched a Cardinal offense that has never been that explosive and/or productive (in 20 years in Arizona), particularly in the red zone.

Points on the board...with a much improved defense and special teams = playoff berth.

Warner's the man for the job. There is absolutely no doubt about it.

 

[Mulli]

I wish I could agree. But the fumbles and the slow footwork on the running plays, point to Leinart to me.

 

[joeshmo]

But Hasselbeck has an All-Pro in Walter Jones protecting his blindside.

I dont think I would put that in Hasselbecks favor. He was sacked 13 more times then both of our QB's with Jones protecting his blind side.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Don't forget to mention that Warner was throwing to two of the Top 15 WRs in the NFL and Hasselback was throwing to a group of nobodies, or that the Seahawks' running game was only marginally less toothless than Arizona's.

If Warner is the starter, then Whis's offense is set back for another year. Warner is as fundamentally unable to execute Whisenhunt's offense as he was Tom Coughlin's in New York. Why did you pay all that money for an offensive HC if you're not going to let him do what he wants?

 

[abomb]

May the best man win.

 

[Mitch]

The things about Warner is...you have to let him take his chances. Yes, he will make some mistakes and he is fumble prone...but, the guy throws the ball with such good precision and timing most of the time...you just need to let him do his thing and support him with a solid defense, because he will outscore the opponents.

I am saying this even though last year I felt quite differently about Warner, because of his woes in the red zone. Well, last year Warner proved me wrong. He was sensational in the red zone...which tells me two things: (1) Warner has what it takes; (2) the coaching was far superior to what he was getting with Dennis Green.

The name of the game is scoring points...and Warner threw 27 TDs last year...that's right, 27 TDs...and he didn't even start the first 5 games. Think of what he could do with this receiving corps and 16 starts (provided he can stay healthy...but as we saw, he will play hurt and still put up points in a big way)...wow!

 

[SeattleCard]

I completely agree with Mitch.

Warner is the guy.

 

[82CardsGrad]

You know I'm sold Mitch! People can talk all they want about Kurt's "slow feet" and "fumbles", yet is there really another QB on this team that presents a better chance of offensive success? If so, please prove it!

 

[earthsci]

You know I'm sold Mitch! People can talk all they want about Kurt's "slow feet" and "fumbles", yet is there really another QB on this team that presents a better chance of offensive success? If so, please prove it!

"Prove" that Warner will. You can't just as I can't prove that Leinart will.

 

[Garthshort]

NY Giants

They had to make the same decision, going with Manning or KW. They went with Manning, and while they might have been hurt in the short term, well you know how that turned out.

 

[Goober Man]

I have to disagree. While I want Warner to do well I would rather have Leinart be the starter.

Mainly because I would rather be good at the QB postion for several years instead of being good there for 1 or 2 years because of Warners age (I think he's 37?) Also I don't want Warners turnovers I've seen enough 5 int games and fumbles to show me that Leinart is the future of this franchise.

There is also the money issue. Is Leinart that horrible that you would rather cripple your franchise by not letting him get game experince AND still pay him that much money?? No.

Just be patient with younger players and watch them bloom into something instead of giving up on them if they don't end up being a Pro Bowler.

 

[slanidrac16]

We can waffle back and forh on this forever. Either QB is capable of leading this team because it finally has many of the tools needed in place to win. I think most of us agree that we could live with either guy as long as we win.

It's been proved many times that a team doesn't need a great qb to win (Rex Grossman cough cough). If you have a great defense then a team can overcome mistakes by a less than perfect QB. Problem in the past is that we didn't have the great defense to overcome mistakes therefore magnifying ints., fumbles or missed open receivers.

We praise Warner for last years accomplishments but we beat up Rackers for missing the 52 yd. FG against the Redskins. We forget that Warner threw a pick 6, another pick returned to our 25 yd. line and a fumble in the red zone. Eliminate any of those gaffes and we easily win that game. And who can forget the 10 out of 30 for 172 yards against Tampa? My point in bringing this up is many of you stating Warner is the guy may not have thought the same way when he first took over after Leinarts injury.

If you are a Cardinal fan deep down inside I would think you are rooting for Leinart to shine like the north star. If Warner turns out to be the starting QB on this team hooray, but what about next year? Or the year after that? I don't know about any of you guys, but Leinart failing would be a pretty huge step backwards for this franchises future. The best thing that could happen to this team is for Leinart to come out from day one and show everybody he is the man. Unite us if you will.

Another thing that befuddles me is why so many think Leinart won't excel. Why, because he didn't come out in 07 with guns ablazin' under his 3rd new OC and new system? I think back at a few of his games like KC, the Bears, and Seattle as a rookie and I see a very bright future. No doubt there will be a few rough times, but hey, we'd get that with Warner too.

Bottom line, if Leinart silences his critics we are in a win-win situation. If he doesn't we are in a win-and pray Warner don't get hurt situation.

 

[Goober Man]

We can waffle back and forh on this forever. Either QB is capable of leading this team because it finally has many of the tools needed in place to win. I think most of us agree that we could live with either guy as long as we win.

It's been proved many times that a team doesn't need a great qb to win (Rex Grossman cough cough). If you have a great defense then a team can overcome mistakes by a less than perfect QB. Problem in the past is that we didn't have the great defense to overcome mistakes therefore magnifying ints., fumbles or missed open receivers.

We praise Warner for last years accomplishments but we beat up Rackers for missing the 52 yd. FG against the Redskins. We forget that Warner threw a pick 6, another pick returned to our 25 yd. line and a fumble in the red zone. Eliminate any of those gaffes and we easily win that game. And who can forget the 10 out of 30 for 172 yards against Tampa? My point in bringing this up is many of you stating Warner is the guy may not have thought the same way when he first took over after Leinarts injury.

If you are a Cardinal fan deep down inside I would think you are rooting for Leinart to shine like the north star. If Warner turns out to be the starting QB on this team hooray, but what about next year? Or the year after that? I don't know about any of you guys, but Leinart failing would be a pretty huge step backwards for this franchises future. The best thing that could happen to this team is for Leinart to come out from day one and show everybody he is the man. Unite us if you will.

Another thing that befuddles me is why so many think Leinart won't excel. Why, because he didn't come out in 07 with guns ablazin' under his 3rd new OC and new system? I think back at a few of his games like KC, the Bears, and Seattle as a rookie and I see a very bright future. No doubt there will be a few rough times, but hey, we'd get that with Warner too.

Bottom line, if Leinart silences his critics we are in a win-win situation. If he doesn't we are in a win-and pray Warner don't get hurt situation.

Very nicely said!

 

[ReddBird]

Keep posting, Mitch. Love to read what you say.

The Cards need Leinart to be their future -- but Green Bay didn't bench Favre just 'cause they thought that Aaron Rodgers was their future. They played the best man. Rodgers sat on the bench and learned.

Leinart hasn't been stellar, no matter how much I want him to be. He's been adequate. I say, if Warner's the better QB (and the team certainly seemed to respond to him more quickly), then let him play.

 

[slanidrac16]

Keep posting, Mitch. Love to read what you say.

The Cards need Leinart to be their future -- but Green Bay didn't bench Favre just 'cause they thought that Aaron Rodgers was their future. They played the best man. Rodgers sat on the bench and learned.

Leinart hasn't been stellar, no matter how much I want him to be. He's been adequate. I say, if Warner's the better QB (and the team certainly seemed to respond to him more quickly), then let him play.

On the other hand, as much as Favre is himming and hawwing about retirement, I don't see the Packers begging him to come back.
Honestly , I don't care if Brian St. Clair is the friggin qb as long as we win.

 

[red desert]

The things about Warner is...you have to let him take his chances. Yes, he will make some mistakes and he is fumble prone...but, the guy throws the ball with such good precision and timing most of the time...you just need to let him do his thing and support him with a solid defense, because he will outscore the opponents.

I am saying this even though last year I felt quite differently about Warner, because of his woes in the red zone. Well, last year Warner proved me wrong. He was sensational in the red zone...which tells me two things: (1) Warner has what it takes; (2) the coaching was far superior to what he was getting with Dennis Green.

The name of the game is scoring points...and Warner threw 27 TDs last year...that's right, 27 TDs...and he didn't even start the first 5 games. Think of what he could do with this receiving corps and 16 starts (provided he can stay healthy...but as we saw, he will play hurt and still put up points in a big way)...wow!

Totally agree. Totally, totally, totally. I posted as much a couple of months ago. Only not as eloquent as you, Mitch. I recall stating that if Warner were allowed to start (he's earned it) he would produce a season that would ensure him a spot in Canton. I'm talking 40+ tds and a couple of playoff victories.

Like you say Mitch, let the guy toss it, we can overcome the occassional int. and fumble.

 

[redheat]

Warners biggest problem is he refuses to dump the ball off as he holds on to it or throw it up for grabs... Haley seems to do a good job of keeping on him. If he can correct this better next year, all for him starting

 

[red desert]

Keep posting, Mitch. Love to read what you say.

The Cards need Leinart to be their future -- but Green Bay didn't bench Favre just 'cause they thought that Aaron Rodgers was their future. They played the best man. Rodgers sat on the bench and learned.

Leinart hasn't been stellar, no matter how much I want him to be. He's been adequate. I say, if Warner's the better QB (and the team certainly seemed to respond to him more quickly), then let him play.

badda - bing!

 

[CardLogic]

Warners biggest problem is he refuses to dump the ball off as he holds on to it or throw it up for grabs... Haley seems to do a good job of keeping on him. If he can correct this better next year, all for him starting

That brings to mind a home game in the later part of last season, I think it was vs. Lions. Late in the game the Cardinals were winning and in possession of the ball. Warner drops back to pass, looks, looks, no one open so he throws the ball out of bounds...

A loud cheer goes up from the crowd!!! Only in Cardinal land does the QB get a round of applause for throwing one out of bounds. LMAO!

 

[CardinalChris]

You can't turn the ball over as much as Kurt and win. Even worse is his turn overs often seemed to be at key moments in the game.

 

[black]

Even though all of us posters don't agree on who should be our starting QB this year, we should still be thankful of our situation. KW put up good numbers and Matt is still learning.


Camp hasn't started yet and Matt's the starter. It sounds unfair, but I think Whiz sees something in Leinart. I recall using 3 QB's in one game, I'm guessing Whiz wouldn't be afraid to yank Matt out if he didn't give us the best chance to win.

It isn't written in stone is what I'm trying to say.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Even though all of us posters don't agree on who should be our starting QB this year, we should still be thankful of our situation. KW put up good numbers and Matt is still learning.


Camp hasn't started yet and Matt's the starter. It sounds unfair, but I think Whiz sees something in Leinart. I recall using 3 QB's in one game, I'm guessing Whiz wouldn't be afraid to yank Matt out if he didn't give us the best chance to win.

It isn't written in stone is what I'm trying to say.

 

[Goldfield]

If Leinart is ever going to be THE guy now is the time. That said, I think Leinart has to out play Warner to take the starting job from him. Warner has been a true pro about everything since being here. As good as he played last year, in pain. IMO Warner has the job until Leinart is good enough to take it away.

Leinart has to work his ass off to become a good QB. He deserves NOTHING at this point IMO. If it were up to me Leinart would be a career backup until he proves otherwise...

 

[Jersey Girl]

If you are a Cardinal fan deep down inside I would think you are rooting for Leinart to shine like the north star. If Warner turns out to be the starting QB on this team hooray, but what about next year? Or the year after that? I don't know about any of you guys, but Leinart failing would be a pretty huge step backwards for this franchises future. The best thing that could happen to this team is for Leinart to come out from day one and show everybody he is the man. Unite us if you will.

Another thing that befuddles me is why so many think Leinart won't excel. Why, because he didn't come out in 07 with guns ablazin' under his 3rd new OC and new system? I think back at a few of his games like KC, the Bears, and Seattle as a rookie and I see a very bright future. No doubt there will be a few rough times, but hey, we'd get that with Warner too.

Bottom line, if Leinart silences his critics we are in a win-win situation. If he doesn't we are in a win-and pray Warner don't get hurt situation.

I agree 100%.

I may be in the minority, but I am very comfortable going back to Leinart being the starter and having Kurt come in for the no-huddle and throw the defenses for a loop. Why the hell not? Screw QB controversaries.

 

[PACardsFan]

Everyone has an opinion, but only ONE counts. Whiz has rightfully named Leinart as the starter & that's all that matters. The Cardinals have a TON invested in this guy & right now they have to give him every opportunity to succeed. I love the fact that we have a back-up (Warner), that if necessary, can come in & lead us to the playoffs. But if this team wants to completely turn the corner, it needs Leinart to come through. Don't get me wrong. If Leinart stinks up the joint, then Whiz will not hesitate to put Warner in. For Warner to get the nod, he will have to OUTSTANDING & Leinart will have to be pathetic. Anything short of that & we will just have to live with Leinart's growing pains. I personally think Leinart comes out & throws 25 tds this year & more importantly, only throws about 10 pics.