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Inside Slant
Exactly how many more good years Kurt Warner has is difficult to assess, given his five-year history of injuries. And the shaky offensive line he had this past season with the Cardinals certainly didn't enhance his chance of getting through the season unscathed.
He was sidelined by season's end with a knee strain that did not require surgery.
But in re-signing Warner to be their quarterback at least in 2006 and likely to mentor to someone who will be groomed to take control thereafter, the Cardinals said all the right things about how much Warner has left.
Warner, 34, now more than likely will finish his career with the Cardinals after signing a three-year contract less than two weeks before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
It first took a meeting with vice president of operations Rod Graves to convince Warner that he was wanted and that the Cardinals are dedicated to upgrading the roster - presumably at the offensive line positions so that Warner lives to tell about these next three years.
Warner started 10 games in 2005, completing 64.5 percent of his passes - breaking a 12-year-old team record - and passing for 11 touchdowns. He had nine interceptions. His 85.8 passer rating was the best for a Cardinal since Neil Lomax in 1988 (86.7). Warner's five 300-yard passing games led the NFL and were the most Warner has had since his NFL MVP season of 2001.
The knee injury at the end and a groin strain at midseason cost him four starts, continuing an injury pattern that has thwarted him since the turn of the century after his Super Bowl glory days with St. Louis.
And detractors can toss these numbers in the Cardinals' face: When Warner started in 2005, they were 2-8. When backup Josh McCown, who is to become an unrestricted free agent next month and now likely will leave, was the starter, the Cardinals were 3-3.
Last year, Arizona became the Warners' third home in three years and Kurt said the family was not anxious to make another move. Their oldest daughter now is in high school.
"Signing Kurt Warner is a great step," coach Dennis Green said of the effort to improve from five wins in 2005 and six in 2004 during his first two seasons in the desert. "He is clearly one of the top quarterbacks in the National Football League. As I said last year, I think will continue to grow, and we think we will be a successful team. There couldn't be a better guy to lead us to that success than Kurt Warner."
—So what happens if Kurt Warner has another year like the last four and cannot make every start because of injuries? The Cardinals now must determine who will be the backup quarterback after Warner signed a three-year deal this week just before he was to become an unrestricted free agent.
Josh McCown, the backup last season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent and undoubtedly now will test the market. He likely will go elsewhere and compete for a starting position.
"Josh is very excited about free agency and ready for this next chapter of his life," said Mike McCartney, McCown's agent. "The interest around the league has been terrific."
If McCown, as expected, lands elsewhere, the only other quarterbacks under contract are John Navarre, a 2004 seventh-round pick who has seen action in two games in two years, and Rohan Davey, who was signed last season as the third quarterback after Warner suffered injuries. Davey has seen brief action in seven games in his four-year career.
Navarre got his chance late in his 2004 rookie year and likely could have finished that season as the starter and gone into 2005 as the man to beat. But in that 2004 start at Detroit, Navarre suffered a fractured finger on his throwing hand, which ended his season.
Coach Dennis Green has raved about Navarre's work with the scout team.
"He has a chance to show what we're doing with him," Green said of the likelihood that Navarre will be Warner's backup.
The Cardinals hold the 10th pick overall in the draft and could draft a quarterback for the future. They also have a sizable chunk of space available under the salary cap and could pursue a veteran backup.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Want to go to Super Bowl XLII, which will be played in the new Cardinals Stadium on Feb. 3, 2008? As host, the Cardinals will receive a limited allotment of tickets, so next year they will conduct a weighted lottery to determine which season ticket holders get a chance to purchase Super Bowl tickets. The lottery will be weighted based on the number of years the season tickets have been held and the number of tickets in the account.
Want to increase your odds? Break out the wallet. Fans who commit to a minimum of a five-year license agreement on midfield or sideline club seats will be able to purchase two Super Bowl XLII tickets for every four club seats in their account. Stadium loft holders with a minimum of a five-year license agreement will also have the opportunity to purchase Super Bowl XLII tickets.
Seat relocation for current season ticket holders at the new stadium in Glendale, Ariz., which opens this fall, is under way.
The new stadium is being featured Sunday (Feb. 19) on the Discovery Channel series "Extreme Engineering." Cardinals Stadium will be the first episode of the show's third season at 10:00 p.m. (Arizona time). It will air several more times.
The building is being highlighted for it unique architecture. In addition to a retractable roof, it will have a retractable field, rolled in on a rail system for games, and rolled back outside for watering and natural sunlight when not in use, in turn making the stadium a more attractive venue for a wide range of other bookings.
—Although at 32 Robert Tate is beginning to become ancient by cornerback standards, the team re-signed him for a year. He started five games last season and played in eight others. He'll be a backup.
—Just when the predators began courting Cardinals linebackers coach Frank Bush, the team warded them off by promoting him to assistant head coach/linebackers.
During his two seasons, the Cardinals defense improved from 26th overall in 2003 to 12th in 2004 and to eighth last season.
—Want a peek into the thinking of the Cardinals' inner circle as they plot their off-season moves?
Consider this from Rod Graves, vice president of operations: "We need to improve our running game and we have to start up front."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'd pick him up at the airport." - Rod Graves, Cardinals vice president of operations, on the unlikely prospect of Texas QB Vince Young sliding to 10th, where the Cardinals are scheduled to draft in the first round in April.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The team again has a high first-round draft pick - 10th overall - on the heels of many horrible failures with such lofty draft positions.
It has a load of cash available to go overpay unrestricted free agents to come to the desert, because that's the only way they'll get any - and then the danger is that such a player will pack his golf clubs but not his playbook. There have been a few exceptions - most notably defensive end Bertrand Berry, who became a Pro Bowler in 2004 - but not many.
So with roughly $15 million to be available under the new salary cap and its only high-ticket player - QB Kurt Warner - now re-signed before becoming unrestricted, the Cardinals embark well-armed down a familiar off-season road.
Coming off six wins and five in two seasons under coach Dennis Green, even he seems to buy into the notion that the team could close its eyes and point and hit upon an area of need.
"I don't think there will be a spot that we don't take an unrestricted free agent," Green said.
TEAM NEEDS/OFF-SEASON STRATEGY
Coming off-seasons of five wins in 2005 and six in 2004, there is not an overabundance of anything. The biggest priorities, though, are running back, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, cornerback, free safety and guard. If a franchise-turning quarterback happens to still be on the board at No. 10 in the first round, the Cardinals would have to take a hard look.
Coach Dennis Green waxed on about the potential of third-year QB John Navarre after starter Kurt Warner re-signed this week before becoming a free agent. Backup Josh McCown, who performed admirably in extended starting duty the past three years when injuries felled starters, is to become unrestricted and has sent signals that he is tired of being jacked around by the Cardinals. McCown is likely to look elsewhere, although the door is not closed to him signing back with the Big Red. But if he goes - given Warner's age and recent injury history - the team would have to look hard if a strong QB miraculously remains on the draft board at No. 10, or if a good developmental prospect is there for them in the second or third round.
1. Running back: The Cardinals finished last in the league in rushing and were miserable in short-yardage and red-zone situations - where they scored touchdowns just 28.3 percent of the time, second-worst in the league - with Marcel Shipp, a veteran who can't get outside, and rookie J.J. Arrington, a second-round pick who was a huge disappointment. A big back with speed like Lendale White would be a good fit.
2. Defensive tackle: The Cardinals have decent bookends outside in Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor, and one serviceable quick tackle in Russell Davis, but they need to complete the mix with a stud run-stopper.
3. Guard: These positions have been played by committee, especially on the right side, largely because of injuries. But the team can't go through another dismal year up front like the last two. There has been speculation that Leonard Davis, who has yet to hit his stride at LT, could be moved back to guard, where he initially made his mark in the league as a mauler. Coach Dennis Green says forget it. If that's true, they need to find players to upgrade these spots.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—T Ian Allen is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo is a two-year starter who is good receiver but fair blocker; moderate priority.
—FB Jarrod Baxter is a third-stringer; unlikely to be re-signed.
—DE Antonio Cochran was signed last year only because of widespread injuries; unlikely to be re-signed.
—C Billy Conaty was a fine fill-in when three other Cs went down; unlikely to be re-signed.
—DT Russell Davis is a long-time starter despite being a bit undersize; a high priority.
—G Adam Haayer is a decent depth player; likely to be re-signed.
—FS Quentin Harris is a backup but a young talent worth developing; likely to be re-signed.
—RB James Jackson was No. 4 back; could be re-signed depending on what others do.
—LB Eric Johnson is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—TE Teyo Johnson is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—DT Ross Kolodziej is a good backup who can start in a pinch; likely to be re-signed.
—WR Charles Lee is a fifth receiver; low priority.
—QB Josh McCown is a strong backup who has had good success as a fill-in starter, but is expected to test free-agency market; team likely would re-sign him if he is agreeable.
—DT Langston Moore was in the rotation when sidelined by injury for the season; could be re-signed.
—FB Harold Morrow is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—WR/PR J.J. Moses is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—RB J.R. Redmond missed the year to injury but can be a valuable third-down back; may be re-signed.
—WR/KR Reggie Swinton rarely played as a receiver and was high-average as a return man; may be re-signed.
—DE R-Kal Truluck was signed late in the year when injuries were taking a toll; not likely to be re-signed.
—CB Raymond Walls is a decent backup at area of shortage; likely to be re-signed.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—CB Dyshod Carter is a young developing player who now has intrigued two Cardinals coaching staffs but has not yet broken through for regular playing time.
—LB Gerald Hayes is the likely 2006 starter at middle linebacker after suffering an injury that wiped out 2005.
—DT Kenny King is a stud when healthy and could move back into the lineup if he gets past wrist problems that essentially shelved him the past two seasons.
—G Reggie Wells is a two-year starter but not a world-beater on a line that is likely to undergo a major makeover.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—QB Kurt Warner: 3 years, $15 million at minimum and as much as $23 million, depending on performance and incentives. Likely starter but has disturbing recent pattern of injuries and will be coming back from season-ending MCL sprain that did not require surgery.
—CB Robert Tate: 1 year, terms undisclosed. Decent backup who can start in a pinch.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
—None.
PLAYERS LOST
—None.
MEDICAL WATCH
Where do you start? The team finished with 15 players on injured reserve, and most of them were contributors. ... QB Kurt Warner (MCL, knee) was re-signed this week before becoming an unrestricted free agent, and despite his recent injury history has shown when healthy that he's still a player. He did not need surgery and should heal fine, doctors say. ... The offensive line was decimated. All of the players are expected to overcome the injuries, but some might not be signed back or brought back: G Adam Haayer, G Elton Brown (knee), G Jeremy Bridges (ankle), C/G Alex Stepanovich, LG Reggie Wells (ankle).
The defensive front was similarly wiped out: DT Darnell Dockett (ankle), DE Bertrand Berry (torn pectoral), DT Kenny King (wrist), DT Russell Davis (biceps), DE Calvin Pace (cut arm) and NT Langston Moore (shoulder) did not finish the season. ... If there is good news in an injury list that long, it is that none of those players are scheduled to undergo any further surgery during the off-season.
Inside Slant
Exactly how many more good years Kurt Warner has is difficult to assess, given his five-year history of injuries. And the shaky offensive line he had this past season with the Cardinals certainly didn't enhance his chance of getting through the season unscathed.
He was sidelined by season's end with a knee strain that did not require surgery.
But in re-signing Warner to be their quarterback at least in 2006 and likely to mentor to someone who will be groomed to take control thereafter, the Cardinals said all the right things about how much Warner has left.
Warner, 34, now more than likely will finish his career with the Cardinals after signing a three-year contract less than two weeks before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
It first took a meeting with vice president of operations Rod Graves to convince Warner that he was wanted and that the Cardinals are dedicated to upgrading the roster - presumably at the offensive line positions so that Warner lives to tell about these next three years.
Warner started 10 games in 2005, completing 64.5 percent of his passes - breaking a 12-year-old team record - and passing for 11 touchdowns. He had nine interceptions. His 85.8 passer rating was the best for a Cardinal since Neil Lomax in 1988 (86.7). Warner's five 300-yard passing games led the NFL and were the most Warner has had since his NFL MVP season of 2001.
The knee injury at the end and a groin strain at midseason cost him four starts, continuing an injury pattern that has thwarted him since the turn of the century after his Super Bowl glory days with St. Louis.
And detractors can toss these numbers in the Cardinals' face: When Warner started in 2005, they were 2-8. When backup Josh McCown, who is to become an unrestricted free agent next month and now likely will leave, was the starter, the Cardinals were 3-3.
Last year, Arizona became the Warners' third home in three years and Kurt said the family was not anxious to make another move. Their oldest daughter now is in high school.
"Signing Kurt Warner is a great step," coach Dennis Green said of the effort to improve from five wins in 2005 and six in 2004 during his first two seasons in the desert. "He is clearly one of the top quarterbacks in the National Football League. As I said last year, I think will continue to grow, and we think we will be a successful team. There couldn't be a better guy to lead us to that success than Kurt Warner."
—So what happens if Kurt Warner has another year like the last four and cannot make every start because of injuries? The Cardinals now must determine who will be the backup quarterback after Warner signed a three-year deal this week just before he was to become an unrestricted free agent.
Josh McCown, the backup last season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent and undoubtedly now will test the market. He likely will go elsewhere and compete for a starting position.
"Josh is very excited about free agency and ready for this next chapter of his life," said Mike McCartney, McCown's agent. "The interest around the league has been terrific."
If McCown, as expected, lands elsewhere, the only other quarterbacks under contract are John Navarre, a 2004 seventh-round pick who has seen action in two games in two years, and Rohan Davey, who was signed last season as the third quarterback after Warner suffered injuries. Davey has seen brief action in seven games in his four-year career.
Navarre got his chance late in his 2004 rookie year and likely could have finished that season as the starter and gone into 2005 as the man to beat. But in that 2004 start at Detroit, Navarre suffered a fractured finger on his throwing hand, which ended his season.
Coach Dennis Green has raved about Navarre's work with the scout team.
"He has a chance to show what we're doing with him," Green said of the likelihood that Navarre will be Warner's backup.
The Cardinals hold the 10th pick overall in the draft and could draft a quarterback for the future. They also have a sizable chunk of space available under the salary cap and could pursue a veteran backup.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Want to go to Super Bowl XLII, which will be played in the new Cardinals Stadium on Feb. 3, 2008? As host, the Cardinals will receive a limited allotment of tickets, so next year they will conduct a weighted lottery to determine which season ticket holders get a chance to purchase Super Bowl tickets. The lottery will be weighted based on the number of years the season tickets have been held and the number of tickets in the account.
Want to increase your odds? Break out the wallet. Fans who commit to a minimum of a five-year license agreement on midfield or sideline club seats will be able to purchase two Super Bowl XLII tickets for every four club seats in their account. Stadium loft holders with a minimum of a five-year license agreement will also have the opportunity to purchase Super Bowl XLII tickets.
Seat relocation for current season ticket holders at the new stadium in Glendale, Ariz., which opens this fall, is under way.
The new stadium is being featured Sunday (Feb. 19) on the Discovery Channel series "Extreme Engineering." Cardinals Stadium will be the first episode of the show's third season at 10:00 p.m. (Arizona time). It will air several more times.
The building is being highlighted for it unique architecture. In addition to a retractable roof, it will have a retractable field, rolled in on a rail system for games, and rolled back outside for watering and natural sunlight when not in use, in turn making the stadium a more attractive venue for a wide range of other bookings.
—Although at 32 Robert Tate is beginning to become ancient by cornerback standards, the team re-signed him for a year. He started five games last season and played in eight others. He'll be a backup.
—Just when the predators began courting Cardinals linebackers coach Frank Bush, the team warded them off by promoting him to assistant head coach/linebackers.
During his two seasons, the Cardinals defense improved from 26th overall in 2003 to 12th in 2004 and to eighth last season.
—Want a peek into the thinking of the Cardinals' inner circle as they plot their off-season moves?
Consider this from Rod Graves, vice president of operations: "We need to improve our running game and we have to start up front."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'd pick him up at the airport." - Rod Graves, Cardinals vice president of operations, on the unlikely prospect of Texas QB Vince Young sliding to 10th, where the Cardinals are scheduled to draft in the first round in April.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The team again has a high first-round draft pick - 10th overall - on the heels of many horrible failures with such lofty draft positions.
It has a load of cash available to go overpay unrestricted free agents to come to the desert, because that's the only way they'll get any - and then the danger is that such a player will pack his golf clubs but not his playbook. There have been a few exceptions - most notably defensive end Bertrand Berry, who became a Pro Bowler in 2004 - but not many.
So with roughly $15 million to be available under the new salary cap and its only high-ticket player - QB Kurt Warner - now re-signed before becoming unrestricted, the Cardinals embark well-armed down a familiar off-season road.
Coming off six wins and five in two seasons under coach Dennis Green, even he seems to buy into the notion that the team could close its eyes and point and hit upon an area of need.
"I don't think there will be a spot that we don't take an unrestricted free agent," Green said.
TEAM NEEDS/OFF-SEASON STRATEGY
Coming off-seasons of five wins in 2005 and six in 2004, there is not an overabundance of anything. The biggest priorities, though, are running back, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, cornerback, free safety and guard. If a franchise-turning quarterback happens to still be on the board at No. 10 in the first round, the Cardinals would have to take a hard look.
Coach Dennis Green waxed on about the potential of third-year QB John Navarre after starter Kurt Warner re-signed this week before becoming a free agent. Backup Josh McCown, who performed admirably in extended starting duty the past three years when injuries felled starters, is to become unrestricted and has sent signals that he is tired of being jacked around by the Cardinals. McCown is likely to look elsewhere, although the door is not closed to him signing back with the Big Red. But if he goes - given Warner's age and recent injury history - the team would have to look hard if a strong QB miraculously remains on the draft board at No. 10, or if a good developmental prospect is there for them in the second or third round.
1. Running back: The Cardinals finished last in the league in rushing and were miserable in short-yardage and red-zone situations - where they scored touchdowns just 28.3 percent of the time, second-worst in the league - with Marcel Shipp, a veteran who can't get outside, and rookie J.J. Arrington, a second-round pick who was a huge disappointment. A big back with speed like Lendale White would be a good fit.
2. Defensive tackle: The Cardinals have decent bookends outside in Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor, and one serviceable quick tackle in Russell Davis, but they need to complete the mix with a stud run-stopper.
3. Guard: These positions have been played by committee, especially on the right side, largely because of injuries. But the team can't go through another dismal year up front like the last two. There has been speculation that Leonard Davis, who has yet to hit his stride at LT, could be moved back to guard, where he initially made his mark in the league as a mauler. Coach Dennis Green says forget it. If that's true, they need to find players to upgrade these spots.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—T Ian Allen is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo is a two-year starter who is good receiver but fair blocker; moderate priority.
—FB Jarrod Baxter is a third-stringer; unlikely to be re-signed.
—DE Antonio Cochran was signed last year only because of widespread injuries; unlikely to be re-signed.
—C Billy Conaty was a fine fill-in when three other Cs went down; unlikely to be re-signed.
—DT Russell Davis is a long-time starter despite being a bit undersize; a high priority.
—G Adam Haayer is a decent depth player; likely to be re-signed.
—FS Quentin Harris is a backup but a young talent worth developing; likely to be re-signed.
—RB James Jackson was No. 4 back; could be re-signed depending on what others do.
—LB Eric Johnson is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—TE Teyo Johnson is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—DT Ross Kolodziej is a good backup who can start in a pinch; likely to be re-signed.
—WR Charles Lee is a fifth receiver; low priority.
—QB Josh McCown is a strong backup who has had good success as a fill-in starter, but is expected to test free-agency market; team likely would re-sign him if he is agreeable.
—DT Langston Moore was in the rotation when sidelined by injury for the season; could be re-signed.
—FB Harold Morrow is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—WR/PR J.J. Moses is nothing more than a low-level backup.
—RB J.R. Redmond missed the year to injury but can be a valuable third-down back; may be re-signed.
—WR/KR Reggie Swinton rarely played as a receiver and was high-average as a return man; may be re-signed.
—DE R-Kal Truluck was signed late in the year when injuries were taking a toll; not likely to be re-signed.
—CB Raymond Walls is a decent backup at area of shortage; likely to be re-signed.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—CB Dyshod Carter is a young developing player who now has intrigued two Cardinals coaching staffs but has not yet broken through for regular playing time.
—LB Gerald Hayes is the likely 2006 starter at middle linebacker after suffering an injury that wiped out 2005.
—DT Kenny King is a stud when healthy and could move back into the lineup if he gets past wrist problems that essentially shelved him the past two seasons.
—G Reggie Wells is a two-year starter but not a world-beater on a line that is likely to undergo a major makeover.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—QB Kurt Warner: 3 years, $15 million at minimum and as much as $23 million, depending on performance and incentives. Likely starter but has disturbing recent pattern of injuries and will be coming back from season-ending MCL sprain that did not require surgery.
—CB Robert Tate: 1 year, terms undisclosed. Decent backup who can start in a pinch.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
—None.
PLAYERS LOST
—None.
MEDICAL WATCH
Where do you start? The team finished with 15 players on injured reserve, and most of them were contributors. ... QB Kurt Warner (MCL, knee) was re-signed this week before becoming an unrestricted free agent, and despite his recent injury history has shown when healthy that he's still a player. He did not need surgery and should heal fine, doctors say. ... The offensive line was decimated. All of the players are expected to overcome the injuries, but some might not be signed back or brought back: G Adam Haayer, G Elton Brown (knee), G Jeremy Bridges (ankle), C/G Alex Stepanovich, LG Reggie Wells (ankle).
The defensive front was similarly wiped out: DT Darnell Dockett (ankle), DE Bertrand Berry (torn pectoral), DT Kenny King (wrist), DT Russell Davis (biceps), DE Calvin Pace (cut arm) and NT Langston Moore (shoulder) did not finish the season. ... If there is good news in an injury list that long, it is that none of those players are scheduled to undergo any further surgery during the off-season.
