Warner's Future (press conference)

[Jersey Girl]

I don't even really understand the need for the press conference. If the information that a press conference can be relayed over the phone then why can't the "announcement" itself?

This is just one last need for media attention. I would have liked a better ending to his career than this. If it's time to walk away, just walk away. Leaving everyone twisting in the wind like that was very Favre-like.

I don't really understand the need for this post, but I will comment anyway.

Warner retiring is big news. When you have big news, you hold a press conference. This isn't just true in sports, but in many areas.

To compare Kurt to Farve in regards to retirement is insulting. It has already come out that the Vikings have no timetime for a decision from Farve, which means he will likely retire and unretire 50 times before the start of the 2010 season. Kurt making and announcing his decision just two weeks after the Cardinals last game gives the Cardinals plenty of time to asjust things in preparation for next season.

 

[moklerman]

Warner retiring is big news.

I agree. So why keep it a secret for days?

Because he wanted as much media attention as possible. As Kurt would say, it is what it is but I would have preferred a different approach from Warner.

If there was to be a ceremony and a big goodbye from the organization and fans I could see the prep time but even still, there was no need to say he had made a decision and then keep it a secret until days later.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree. So why keep it a secret for days?

Because he wanted as much media attention as possible. As Kurt would say, it is what it is but I would have preferred a different approach from Warner.

If there was to be a ceremony and a big goodbye from the organization and fans I could see the prep time but even still, there was no need to say he had made a decision and then keep it a secret until days later.

I'd respond to this but the irony of me defending Kurt to Mokler is just too rich.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I agree. So why keep it a secret for days?

This is how big news is traditionally announced, plain and simple.

 

[Covert Rain]

Just wanted to say thank you Kurt. Thanks for the memories and thank you for your part in lifting this organization from obscurity.

Good luck Kurt.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Speaking as a former member of the media, there was a press conference because that's the way it works. Sound bytes. Shots of the family. Questions. And, I can promise you, because Kurt is a good-looking guy (it counts in the visual age) with one heck of a story.

This was one of the few times, in my (only) three years in AZ, that I've seen all the local TV stations go live to cover an event. This is NEWS. It affects not only the sports community but, because it's Kurt, the so-called Faith Community. Among others.

Aunty Rose on Crutches, people!

 

[imaCafan]

I agree. So why keep it a secret for days?

Because he wanted as much media attention as possible. As Kurt would say, it is what it is but I would have preferred a different approach from Warner.

If there was to be a ceremony and a big goodbye from the organization and fans I could see the prep time but even still, there was no need to say he had made a decision and then keep it a secret until days later.

There would have been tons of questions from the media whether he retired and had a press conference or not. This way he can say he's retiring and field all those questions now and then move on.........

 

[CardLogic]

I'd respond to this but the irony of me defending Kurt to Mokler is just too rich.

Thanks for the laugh; I needed one about now.

mokler, the word is that Warner was out of the country until last night, that being the reason for the delay.

 

[moklerman]

I'd respond to this but the irony of me defending Kurt to Mokler is just too rich.

C'mon, Cheesebeef. What would it have changed today if we all knew on Wednesday that it was all about his retirement and future plans? Instead he left all of us who really wanted him to continue playing in agony.

Would the press conference have been "smaller"?

I would have been a lot happier if he had just relayed the information as soon as he knew and was ready to announce it and then have he and the Cardinals set up a press conference and fan appreciation celebration or something.

Turning it into a big "reveal" was just unnecessary. No one's saying he shouldn't have had a press conference or that he shouldn't have said what he wanted to say but I would like someone to tell me what purpose it served to keep it all a secret?

If it's just a case of how they all do it, then I go back to my original feeling that I hoped Warner would have done it differently than all the rest.

I can't imagine walking away from the game if I was still able to produce at a high level and was being offered a boat load of money to still play but if I did decide to hang 'em up I imagine I would find it a much better approach to release a statement, convey my intent or whatever so everyone knows I'm retiring. Deal with the emotion with family, coaches, teammates or whatever and then set up some kind of press conference. I mean, why a conference? Why couldn't he have just sat down with Urban and Somers instead of a "conference"?

Okay, I'm knocking Warner in particular here but these thoughts go for all the athletes who are popular enough for the media to warrant a "conference".

The last thing I wanted to see was the funeral procession that is known as a retirement press conference from Warner. "Just like everyone else" was not what I expected from him.

 

[moklerman]

Thanks for the laugh; I needed one about now.

mokler, the word is that Warner was out of the country until last night, that being the reason for the delay.

I saw the others post that but it has nothing to do with what I'm saying.

What does him being out of the country have to do with him keeping it a secret until the official press conference? What purpose did it serve to keep it a secret until he got back in the country?

Even if it was spur of the moment and he decided on Friday morning couldn't the media be notified and a cameraman be in place a few hours later to catch audio and video of this big "secret" that everyone was pretty sure was going to happen anyway?

No, it was all self-serving and that's what I was hoping Warner wouldn't do.

 

[TheHopToad]

Even if it was spur of the moment and he decided on Friday morning couldn't the media be notified and a cameraman be in place a few hours later to catch audio and video of this big "secret" that everyone was pretty sure was going to happen anyway?

No, it was all self-serving and that's what I was hoping Warner wouldn't do.

Can't disagree more. It's because Kurt has character and class and is a professional. That's why it was handled this way.

This isn't TMZ getting a scoop in his driveway. This is a major announcement by an organization. It's not just about Kurt and what he wants to do. It's respecting his teammates, the organization, and the institution of professional football. There is a protocol to follow for the good of the game. Kurt had enough honor to respect that protocol.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Can't disagree more. It's because Kurt has character and class and is a professional. That's why it was handled this way.

This isn't TMZ getting a scoop in his driveway. This is a major announcement by an organization. It's not just about Kurt and what he wants to do. It's respecting his teammates, the organization, and the institution of professional football. There is a protocol to follow for the good of the game. Kurt had enough honor to respect that protocol.

:notworthy

 

[moklerman]

There is a protocol to follow for the good of the game.

So last year when he leaked his intentions through his agent without an official press conference ceremony he as damaging the game itself?

But I'm still unsure how holding a press conference is for the good of the game. I bet there will be 100 guys to retire this year. Only the top 5% might get a press conference. I really don't see how pandering to the stars is for the good of the game, especially considering the labor disputes going on right now.

Does anyone really enjoy seeing a the stars of the game turn into an emotional mess and talk about how they won't be playing anymore?

But again, the "final press conference" isn't the issue for me. Keeping his intentions secret and making us all wait is what annoys me. If he knew earlier in the week, there was no reason to let us all know that he had come to a decision but he wasn't going to say until he had cameras and microphones in front of him.

 

[CardLogic]

Mokler buddy, as soon as the press conference was announced, everyone knew it was going to be to announce his retirement; so there was no "secret" being kept.

Anyone that seriously thought anything else was only deluding themselves...

It was a formality, in essense Warner's retirement was announced when the press conference was announced earlier in the week.

 

[Cheesebeef]

C'mon, Cheesebeef. What would it have changed today if we all knew on Wednesday that it was all about his retirement and future plans? Instead he left all of us who really wanted him to continue playing in agony.

Would the press conference have been "smaller"?

I would have been a lot happier if he had just relayed the information as soon as he knew and was ready to announce it and then have he and the Cardinals set up a press conference and fan appreciation celebration or something.

Turning it into a big "reveal" was just unnecessary. No one's saying he shouldn't have had a press conference or that he shouldn't have said what he wanted to say but I would like someone to tell me what purpose it served to keep it all a secret?

If it's just a case of how they all do it, then I go back to my original feeling that I hoped Warner would have done it differently than all the rest.

I can't imagine walking away from the game if I was still able to produce at a high level and was being offered a boat load of money to still play but if I did decide to hang 'em up I imagine I would find it a much better approach to release a statement, convey my intent or whatever so everyone knows I'm retiring. Deal with the emotion with family, coaches, teammates or whatever and then set up some kind of press conference. I mean, why a conference? Why couldn't he have just sat down with Urban and Somers instead of a "conference"?

Okay, I'm knocking Warner in particular here but these thoughts go for all the athletes who are popular enough for the media to warrant a "conference".

The last thing I wanted to see was the funeral procession that is known as a retirement press conference from Warner. "Just like everyone else" was not what I expected from him.

ok, now you just sound like a jilted lover. it's only football and he's just a human being.

 

[Doug]

So last year when he leaked his intentions through his agent without an official press conference ceremony he as damaging the game itself?

But I'm still unsure how holding a press conference is for the good of the game. I bet there will be 100 guys to retire this year. Only the top 5% might get a press conference. I really don't see how pandering to the stars is for the good of the game, especially considering the labor disputes going on right now.

Does anyone really enjoy seeing a the stars of the game turn into an emotional mess and talk about how they won't be playing anymore?

But again, the "final press conference" isn't the issue for me. Keeping his intentions secret and making us all wait is what annoys me. If he knew earlier in the week, there was no reason to let us all know that he had come to a decision but he wasn't going to say until he had cameras and microphones in front of him.

Warner made his decision soon enough after the season that it did'nt effect any decisions the CARDINALS had to make.So it did'nt matter that he kept the secret tighter than our CIA can keep a secret.He never hurt the team.He left the team better than he found it and gave Coach Whiz all the credit for turning things around for the team.

I personally believe Whiz will keep things rolling and the RESPECTABILITY high!!!I expect continuity with this core group.When was the last time the sports world even speculated over an upcoming press conference for the CARDINALS?

Glad Kurt did'nt cry.He was under great control & he spoke as the leader he has been behind the scenes for the RED BIRDS for 5 years.YOU GO KURT!!! Nothing like going out on top.Can only imagine the great plays you and Larry & Early & Stevie plus the RB'S could have done this next year with all the championship teams.Plays I'll dream about at night!!! THANKS FOR THE SWEET DREAMS.

 

[moklerman]

I think you guys are mixing ideas here. No one "knew" that he was gong to retire when the press conference was announced. To discuss his future plans was intentionally ambiguous and that's what annoys me.

I just wish he would have taken the road less traveled and not pandered to the media as his last act as a player. I can't possibly be the only one that was dangling in anticipation by this approach.

Which is why it annoys me. The only thing that I can see that was accomplished by doing things they way that they were done, was to torture those of us who really wanted to see him play out his contract.

If he hadn't taken the secretive approach his career would still be just as celebrated, his goodbye would have been just as covered, the thanks from the fans would still have happened.

What's that phrase from Shawshank Redemption? Having hope will kill you. That's what the last few days were like. We all assumed and feared retirement was the reason but leaving it open to interpretation...it was just cruel. I'm not saying it was intentional, but it was cruel.

Now. Let the Leinart/BSP debates begin!

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I think you guys are mixing ideas here. No one "knew" that he was gong to retire when the press conference was announced. To discuss his future plans was intentionally ambiguous and that's what annoys me.

I just wish he would have taken the road less traveled and not pandered to the media as his last act as a player. I can't possibly be the only one that was dangling in anticipation by this approach.

Which is why it annoys me. The only thing that I can see that was accomplished by doing things they way that they were done, was to torture those of us who really wanted to see him play out his contract.

If he hadn't taken the secretive approach his career would still be just as celebrated, his goodbye would have been just as covered, the thanks from the fans would still have happened.

What's that phrase from Shawshank Redemption? Having hope will kill you. That's what the last few days were like. We all assumed and feared retirement was the reason but leaving it open to interpretation...it was just cruel. I'm not saying it was intentional, but it was cruel.

Now. Let the Leinart/BSP debates begin!

You're annoyed, and simultaneously annoying.

 

[CardLogic]

I can't possibly be the only one that was dangling in anticipation by this approach.

No, I think you were the only one...

 

[Doug]

I think you guys are mixing ideas here. No one "knew" that he was gong to retire when the press conference was announced. To discuss his future plans was intentionally ambiguous and that's what annoys me.

I just wish he would have taken the road less traveled and not pandered to the media as his last act as a player. I can't possibly be the only one that was dangling in anticipation by this approach.

Which is why it annoys me. The only thing that I can see that was accomplished by doing things they way that they were done, was to torture those of us who really wanted to see him play out his contract.

If he hadn't taken the secretive approach his career would still be just as celebrated, his goodbye would have been just as covered, the thanks from the fans would still have happened.

What's that phrase from Shawshank Redemption? Having hope will kill you. That's what the last few days were like. We all assumed and feared retirement was the reason but leaving it open to interpretation...it was just cruel. I'm not saying it was intentional, but it was cruel.

Now. Let the Leinart/BSP debates begin!

We ALL knew Kurtis was bringing his whole family to this presser.That ended all speculation for adults and real thinkers.Sorry dude.Let it go.Maybe go post some on your rams board too.They probably miss you.

 

[moklerman]

You're annoyed, and simultaneously annoying.

As annoying as when I was arguing in favor of Warner over McCown and Leinart?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

As annoying as when I was arguing in favor of Warner over McCown and Leinart?

No, you were proven right then. But, now you are just being juvenile. Get over it!

 

[moklerman]

We ALL knew Kurtis was bringing his whole family to this presser.

We did? Where/when was that reported?

P.S. everyone please read the last line of post #142 before posting anymore "let it go" themed responses. I shared my annoyance and my reasons for my annoyance and just like usual, my points and questions in general were disregarded and "go back to the Rams board" "jokes" were offered.

It is what it is.

 

[moklerman]

No, you were proven right then. But, now you are just being juvenile. Get over it!

You can lead a horse to water....

 

[ajcardfan]

Kurt's retirement is the lead story on every major sports website right now. Obviously, since it's regarded as an important event the way Warner and the Cardinals handled the news conference was HIGHLY appropriate.

In NO way, was this self-serving. That's my opinion.