Rick Reilly:"The End Is Near"

[PJ1]

Kurt has been praying for God to help him and take away his desire to play football so he can retire and get on with the rest of his life in peace.

What Kurt doesn't understand is that virtually the whole state of Arizona and a big chuck of the mid-west are praying for just the opposite.

Being at home with all of those kids seems like anything but peaceful to me. Keep playing Kurt. The Lord also knows we need you.

 

[Doug]

IMO, he's already privately told some people he will retire and announce it after the SuperBowl.

He certainly did Deanna.Then 4 days later he started missing football already and changed his mind and made a new deal and came back,This was a much tougher year on him than playing with a bad hip.The concussion and following days really scared him and Brenda.

He also noticed a lot more head hunting near the end of the year and at least half of it went uncalled even for penalty.I think that is whats most predominant in his mind is his protection in our all out passing scheme and his best talent in beating the blitz while his body then takes the beating throwing the ball in the face of a rush without flinching.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

And I guess getting a concussion & a huge, scary blindside shot in a playoff game doesn't say "retire"? Being at the end of your career with nothing prove & the fear of a major injury has to be in his mind. Maybe he does retire, maybe he doesn't. I bet he does!!!

I'm not a betting man. I'll let it play out.

Not surprised, however, that as "glass half empty" type of person, that you'd be betting that way.

 

[Buckybird]

I'm going to bring this up again. I think Warner also knows Leinarts contract status, knowing he has 1 year to prove his worth to the Cardinals or he is gone. From everything I remember hearing they were semi-close friends, I think this does play a factor in his decision.

 

[Buckybird]

I'm not a betting man. I'll let it play out.

Not surprised, however, that as "glass half empty" type of person, that you'd be betting that way.

3/4 empty

 

[82CardsGrad]

And I guess getting a concussion & a huge, scary blindside shot in a playoff game doesn't say "retire"? Being at the end of your career with nothing prove & the fear of a major injury has to be in his mind. Maybe he does retire, maybe he doesn't. I bet he does!!!

It's no doubt on his mind Bucky... but, he is also a high-performing athlete who, like all the rest, possesses a HUGE inner-drive and competitive edge. There have only been 6 QB's in the history of the NFL to throw for more than 20 TD's in a season at the age of 38. And only 2 QB's to do it at 39.
There is nothing about Kurt's performance to suggest he's slowing down or wouldn't put up healthy numbers again next season. Additionally, Kurt has always said his primary drive is to win a Championship for this franchise. Clearly, there are a TON of factors beyond his own situation that will play into our ability to contend again next season... so I'm sure Kurt is talking to Whiz and Graves about their plans for this offseason and what they'll do about Q, Dansby, Left Tackle, Secondary, Berry, Okeafor, etc...

Who knows... in the end he just might decide he's had enough. However, that would be extremely rare for a guy who is still one of the very best at his position...

 

[Buckybird]

It's no doubt on his mind Bucky... but, he is also a high-performing athlete who, like all the rest, possesses a HUGE inner-drive and competitive edge. There have only been 6 QB's in the history of the NFL to throw for more than 20 TD's in a season at the age of 38. And only 2 QB's to do it at 39.
There is nothing about Kurt's performance to suggest he's slowing down or wouldn't put up healthy numbers again next season. Additionally, Kurt has always said his primary drive is to win a Championship for this franchise. Clearly, there are a TON of factors beyond his own situation that will play into our ability to contend again next season... so I'm sure Kurt is talking to Whiz and Graves about their plans for this offseason and what they'll do about Q, Dansby, Left Tackle, Secondary, Berry, Okeafor, etc...

Who knows... in the end he just might decide he's had enough. However, that would be extremely rare for a guy who is still one of the very best at his position...

I think the organization's plan for next year does play a factor too. I bet we know his answer right after the Super Bowl.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

3/4 empty

Good to know that you have a sense of humour about it.

 

[Buckybird]

Good to know that you have a sense of humour about it.

CC if I didn't have some sort of sense of humor I would have drove my car off a bridge long ago being a Cards fan for 35+ years.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Kill Rick Reilly!!!!

 

[Assface]

It's no doubt on his mind Bucky... but, he is also a high-performing athlete who, like all the rest, possesses a HUGE inner-drive and competitive edge. There have only been 6 QB's in the history of the NFL to throw for more than 20 TD's in a season at the age of 38. And only 2 QB's to do it at 39.
There is nothing about Kurt's performance to suggest he's slowing down or wouldn't put up healthy numbers again next season. Additionally, Kurt has always said his primary drive is to win a Championship for this franchise. Clearly, there are a TON of factors beyond his own situation that will play into our ability to contend again next season... so I'm sure Kurt is talking to Whiz and Graves about their plans for this offseason and what they'll do about Q, Dansby, Left Tackle, Secondary, Berry, Okeafor, etc...

Who knows... in the end he just might decide he's had enough. However, that would be extremely rare for a guy who is still one of the very best at his position...

With everyone giving their reasons for why Kurt will or won't retire, it all comes down to whether or not he feels like it's time. A lot of people keep pointing out how competitive he is. Obviously he's an intensely competitive person or he wouldn't have accomplished everything he has. I don't see that as being a factor because he knows he's going to hang it up at some point and, let's face it, he's not going to be any less competitive in a year or 2 or 10.

The other thing mentioned is his ability. He's obviously playing at a very high level. Just a few weeks ago he threw more touchdowns than incomplete passes in a playoff game against one of the league's top defenses. He knows he can still play with the best of them. However, he's stated several times that he wants to go out on his terms. The prevailing theme in his interviews lately is that he plans on retiring when he WANTS to retire, not when he HAS TO retire. He doesn't want to go out like Steve Young and Troy Aikman did and I don't think he wants to be one of those guys who hangs on just a little too long.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Was that the article on espn.com? I thought Reilly was with SI ... ?

He left SI last year or the year before.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Kill Rick Reilly!!!!

Yeah seriously WTF? Thanks for the editorial Rick. As if Kurt didn't have enough ammo.

 

[AZ Native]

If you want the official story, here it is straight from Craigslist:

Kurt Warner Retires (Iowa)

Date: 2010-01-18, 9:30PM MST
Reply To This Post

Its official, well it will be very soon. I have it straight from the source, Brenda.
My wife is close with the Warners, from back in the Iowa days. Kurt has made his decision & is only waiting to figure how he wants to announce it.

Good luck Kurt, Brenda & the kids. Thanks

We'll be waiting for Senator Warner's inauguration

 

[Crimson Warrior]

With everyone giving their reasons for why Kurt will or won't retire, it all comes down to whether or not he feels like it's time. A lot of people keep pointing out how competitive he is. Obviously he's an intensely competitive person or he wouldn't have accomplished everything he has. I don't see that as being a factor because he knows he's going to hang it up at some point and, let's face it, he's not going to be any less competitive in a year or 2 or 10.

The other thing mentioned is his ability. He's obviously playing at a very high level. Just a few weeks ago he threw more touchdowns than incomplete passes in a playoff game against one of the league's top defenses. He knows he can still play with the best of them. However, he's stated several times that he wants to go out on his terms. The prevailing theme in his interviews lately is that he plans on retiring when he WANTS to retire, not when he HAS TO retire. He doesn't want to go out like Steve Young and Troy Aikman did and I don't think he wants to be one of those guys who hangs on just a little too long.

I don't think anybody wants to walk away thinking they left something on the field, so that's why I'll think he'll be back.

Hell he might even comeback for two years if he lights it up in 2010.

 

[Catfish]

As for me-----I will go for whatever Kurt wants. That is the least I can do considering what he has done for us. My true preferance would be for him to retire, and that he would be happy doing so. I just don't want him to be one of those walking wounded that leave too much of themselves on the field when they retire.

If he does go this year, I hope that he is entirely happy and comfortable with that decision. That is not to say he should never question it, but to just be happy with his decision to go so that he doesn't regret having retired.

I too have seen the increase in head hunting after him. The bad part of that, is that they have not been called as often as they have against Brady, Manning, or even Brees or Rivers. Sooner or later, one of them will be very hurtful, maybe even permanently so. That is what I would wish to avoid. He has NOTHING left to prove to me. He has done it all, and done it better than anyone else who played the position. I pray for God to guide him through this.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

LOL!

From ESPN and from Craig's List.

Both sources are equal in their reliability.

ESPN hasn't gotten anything right about the Cardinals in 5 years.

I will wait till Darren Urban tell us what is going on. Till then, it is all smoke, mirrors, and forgotten writers who need some attention.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

I don't know Kurt. And if I did I wouldn't be posting details of a friendship on Craigslist. But from what we all know about Kurt I'd say this: I think he returns home to seven kids in various stages of their lives, looks at them and thinks, "I need to be the best dad I can be to these kids whose lives have been entrusted to me. I can't do that if I get seriously hurt."

I'm thinking that he would love to still play. That he'd love to try for (and reach) another Super Bowl, but he's putting his kids, and Brenda, at the top of his list of priorities. Hence, the "take away the desire" statement.

I know that I'm praying that God guides his decision and gives him the peace that passes all understanding on what he decides.

Just my two cents.

 

[Jersey Girl]

While I doubt it's the number one or two issue for Kurt, by retiring, he leaves behind 11 million dollars, that could have helped with his good causes.

True, but I am certain that he will land some sort of TV or radio gig should he retire. He is handsome, well-spoken and smart, which is more than I can say for some of the sports commentators out there.

I hope Kurt comes back for another year, though I will respect him regardless of his choice. And I pray he gets the sign he needs from God to help him do what's right for him so he won't regret his decision.

 

[CardLogic]

"I pray that God takes away the desire in me to play this game. I've loved it for so long. I need Him to take that away from me."

It sounds to me that he has already made the decision to retire. He is asking God to give him peace with the decision he has already made...

Then there's this:

What Kurt doesn't understand is that virtually the whole state of Arizona and a big chuck of the mid-west are praying for just the opposite.

LOL!

 

[chickenhead]

The one thing I like about Kurt is that in this case, he's not Favre. I expect him to make a decision we will all respect. He'll either be back or he won't. We had delays last year, but he was negotiating a new deal. He has one year left, so everything is simple: he won't be going anywhere else, he'll just decide whether he'll play for the Cards.

 

[Doug]

I have a feeling that Kurts pretty beat up right now as he told Reilly.I think Kurt is too sharp to make his final career on the NFL decision until he feels like a normal person again.GOD does'nt always give you a yes or no answer when you want it either.

He was gonna retire after the last SB but 4 days later he was missing football again way too much.I'm pretty sure Kurt will be in contact with coach Whiz asking what his plans are for this next season before he finalizes his decision.

I'm sure we'll all know in a couple weeks.

 

[Totally_Red]

I have a feeling that Kurts pretty beat up right now as he told Reilly.I think Kurt is too sharp to make his final career on the NFL decision until he feels like a normal person again.GOD does'nt always give you a yes or no answer when you want it either.

He was gonna retire after the last SB but 4 days later he was missing football again way too much.I'm pretty sure Kurt will be in contact with coach Whiz asking what his plans are for this next season before he finalizes his decision.

I'm sure we'll all know in a couple weeks.

I agree. One thing he will want to verify before he decides is whether Anquan Boldin is a Cardinal for another year.

 

[nashman]

What a moron Reilly is for even interviewing him after a crushing loss, what the hell does he think he is going to say? Just dumb, anyway after a few weeks of healing and getting back to feeling normal and moving on from the season ending loss Kurts' decision will not be as emotional as the day after the game. We will know something a few weeks down the line. Guys say emotional stuff like Ed Reed saying he thinks he is going to retire...really do you think that will happen? No its not going to happen and Kurt will feel better in a few weeks as well, again the fact this interview was a day or two after the playoff loss Reilly is a moron but sure he got the article he WANTED to get.

 

[nashman]

I think some of you are overvaluing Boldin as well in regards to Kurts decision. Did it ever occur that maybe he likes playing without Boldin? Doesn't have to force balls his way and can spread it out like he loves to do, (see Green Bay game). I don't think Boldin being here or getting traded affects Kurts decision at all! Now he will however want to know what is going to be done with the O-line and Defense, and that could factor in his decision.