" If Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner announces his retirement Friday, as expected, several of his Pro Bowl peers will understand, but they'll miss him.

``It would be tough,'' said Arizona safety Antrel Rolle, of the University of Miami and South Dade High. ``He's been a part of my entire NFL career. He's been a great guy, exceptional guy on and off the field. He's been the backbone of our team.''

Before their 51-45 shootout in an NFC wild-card game earlier this month, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers teased his 38-year-old friend about how much Warner had left. Then, the two quarterbacks proceeded to embarrass both defenses.

``But I was serious,'' Rodgers said. ``If he retires, he goes out at the top of his game. Great season. Great run last year. Single-handedly beat us this year. The league, if he does retire, would lose a great player, but an even better person.''

Not that Rodgers would be surprised. ``He's got seven kids. He's a family man. He and his wife are just great people. Whatever he does, I know he'll be content with it.''

Like Rodgers, 26-year-old Vince Young's career stands at the opposite end of Warner's. But he also understood the view from the other end, especially when you have a full non-football life.

``There's so much respect for Kurt, the things he's done to get to the point he is today,'' the Tennessee quarterback said. ``Arena League, to the NFL, to winning a Super Bowl, to Arizona and changing it around there. There's much respect for a guy like that. He's one of those guys that you can take different notes on how to carry yourself by how he carries himself.''"