azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Notebook: Veteran quarterback playing well and may face former team
By DARREN URBAN
The red-hot Kurt Warner returns to the scene of his greatest days as a player Sunday when the Cardinals visit St. Louis.
Maybe it wouldn’t matter if Kurt Warner played or not Sunday.
“These people in St. Louis love Kurt Warner,” Rams receiver and former Warner teammate Torry Holt said.
Warner, who rose to stardom with the Rams while winning a Super Bowl and a pair of MVPs, did not play during last year’s trip to St. Louis. The year before, Warner lit up his former team for three touchdown passes in an upset win.
Whether or not Warner plays Sunday will depend on coach Ken Whisenhunt. But, while Matt Leinart remains the starter, there is a chance Warner will make a third straight relief appearance for the Cardinals piloting the no-huddle offense.
“It’s a catch-22 (for the fans),” Warner said. “I think they will be happy to see me. Are they going to be happy to see me on the field if I am playing like I have been? Probably not. We all know they still want the Rams to win. But I think there will be a good reception.”
Warner has been reviving memories of his “Greatest Show on Turf” days this season, completing 29-of-41 passes for 390 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (for an amazing 125.0 passing rating) during what has amounted to about a game’s worth of work.
Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged the difficult preparing for both Leinart and Warner – he called Warner “one of the best that’s ever worn a Rams uniform” – while Holt wished aloud that Warner hopefully “won’t go and tear up the scoreboard.”
Playing well “is what Kurt lives for,” Holt said. “I know Kurt is relishing the moment. I am happy for the champ.
And Warner is excited to return to the scene of his greatest accomplishments.
“Everytime we go back there, my wife and I are always like, ‘Maybe we should come back here and live,’ ” Warner said. “(The people there) have a special place in our heart and like Torry is saying, I think we have a special place in their heart.”
Q’S TIP
As he left the facility for a doctor’s appointment Wednesday while his teammates practiced, gimpy receiver Anquan Boldin said he was “cool” with the status of the muscle around his hip – despite that muscle’s soreness continuing to keep him out.
Boldin even sees the intelligence of sitting out a second straight game if need be. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is hoping Boldin will practice and added he prefers a player be able to practice in order to play. That all but rules Boldin out if he can’t return to work the next couple of days.
“Anquan is the heartbeat of the offense,” Leinart said. “He’s probably the best player on the team. But last week (receivers) Jerheme (Urban) stepped up, BJ (Bryant Johnson) had a big game, Larry (Fitzgerald) had a big game. … Knowing Anquan, he will be back sooner than later.”
BULGER SITS
Rams coach Scott Linehan decided Wednesday to sit starting quarterback Marc Bulger against the Cardinals rather than let Bulger continue to play with two broken ribs. Linehan will also take back play-calling duties, which he delegated early last season to offensive coordinator Greg Olson.
Bulger is only the latest Rams starter who has been knocked out of the lineup for the 0-4 Rams.
“I have never been through so many injuries, and key injuries at key positions,” said Holt, one of the few healthy stars the Rams still have. “Those guys who come in have to step in and play at an elite level. That’s tough to ask for, but you have to bear with those guys.”
EXTRA POINTS
Tackle Levi Brown (ankle) was limited in practice, but running back Marcel Shipp (ribs) and linebacker Karlos Dansby (shoulder) were OK after getting dinged in the Pittsburgh game. …
Here’s one reason Leinart may be able to play the whole game in the regular Cards’ offense Sunday. Running back Edgerrin James, despite his struggles last season, averaged 104.5 yards rushing in two games against the Rams in 2006. …
After further review, defensive end Darnell Dockett actually had 2.5 sacks and not three sacks in Sunday’s game (the other half went to Bertrand Berry) while a three-yard catch credited to Larry Fitzgerald should have been given to Bryant Johnson (the full breakdown is here).
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1965
By DARREN URBAN
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The red-hot Kurt Warner returns to the scene of his greatest days as a player Sunday when the Cardinals visit St. Louis.
Maybe it wouldn’t matter if Kurt Warner played or not Sunday.
“These people in St. Louis love Kurt Warner,” Rams receiver and former Warner teammate Torry Holt said.
Warner, who rose to stardom with the Rams while winning a Super Bowl and a pair of MVPs, did not play during last year’s trip to St. Louis. The year before, Warner lit up his former team for three touchdown passes in an upset win.
Whether or not Warner plays Sunday will depend on coach Ken Whisenhunt. But, while Matt Leinart remains the starter, there is a chance Warner will make a third straight relief appearance for the Cardinals piloting the no-huddle offense.
“It’s a catch-22 (for the fans),” Warner said. “I think they will be happy to see me. Are they going to be happy to see me on the field if I am playing like I have been? Probably not. We all know they still want the Rams to win. But I think there will be a good reception.”
Warner has been reviving memories of his “Greatest Show on Turf” days this season, completing 29-of-41 passes for 390 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (for an amazing 125.0 passing rating) during what has amounted to about a game’s worth of work.
Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged the difficult preparing for both Leinart and Warner – he called Warner “one of the best that’s ever worn a Rams uniform” – while Holt wished aloud that Warner hopefully “won’t go and tear up the scoreboard.”
Playing well “is what Kurt lives for,” Holt said. “I know Kurt is relishing the moment. I am happy for the champ.
And Warner is excited to return to the scene of his greatest accomplishments.
“Everytime we go back there, my wife and I are always like, ‘Maybe we should come back here and live,’ ” Warner said. “(The people there) have a special place in our heart and like Torry is saying, I think we have a special place in their heart.”
Q’S TIP
As he left the facility for a doctor’s appointment Wednesday while his teammates practiced, gimpy receiver Anquan Boldin said he was “cool” with the status of the muscle around his hip – despite that muscle’s soreness continuing to keep him out.
Boldin even sees the intelligence of sitting out a second straight game if need be. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is hoping Boldin will practice and added he prefers a player be able to practice in order to play. That all but rules Boldin out if he can’t return to work the next couple of days.
“Anquan is the heartbeat of the offense,” Leinart said. “He’s probably the best player on the team. But last week (receivers) Jerheme (Urban) stepped up, BJ (Bryant Johnson) had a big game, Larry (Fitzgerald) had a big game. … Knowing Anquan, he will be back sooner than later.”
BULGER SITS
Rams coach Scott Linehan decided Wednesday to sit starting quarterback Marc Bulger against the Cardinals rather than let Bulger continue to play with two broken ribs. Linehan will also take back play-calling duties, which he delegated early last season to offensive coordinator Greg Olson.
Bulger is only the latest Rams starter who has been knocked out of the lineup for the 0-4 Rams.
“I have never been through so many injuries, and key injuries at key positions,” said Holt, one of the few healthy stars the Rams still have. “Those guys who come in have to step in and play at an elite level. That’s tough to ask for, but you have to bear with those guys.”
EXTRA POINTS
Tackle Levi Brown (ankle) was limited in practice, but running back Marcel Shipp (ribs) and linebacker Karlos Dansby (shoulder) were OK after getting dinged in the Pittsburgh game. …
Here’s one reason Leinart may be able to play the whole game in the regular Cards’ offense Sunday. Running back Edgerrin James, despite his struggles last season, averaged 104.5 yards rushing in two games against the Rams in 2006. …
After further review, defensive end Darnell Dockett actually had 2.5 sacks and not three sacks in Sunday’s game (the other half went to Bertrand Berry) while a three-yard catch credited to Larry Fitzgerald should have been given to Bryant Johnson (the full breakdown is here).
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1965
