Kurt Warner News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 29

Charlotte Observer

"Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said Wednesday that Jake Delhomme needs to understand he's not alone as he struggles through the most difficult period of his career. "I went through some tough stretches where it seemed like everything went against me," said Warner, who will go against Delhomme and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at the Cardinals' University of Phoenix Stadium. "Even though it wasn't always me - it seemed like every tipped ball got intercepted, every time there was a miscommunication between me and somebody, it was intercepted. Every time I got hit, the ball popped out. Everything spiraled downhill." Panthers coach John Fox said Wednesday that Delhomme has kept ..."

New York Giants plan to blitz Kurt Warner, pass-happy Arizona Cardinals

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October 22

New York Daily News

"The tone was set in the first defensive meeting Wednesday, and it carried over to practice. There was more of an edge, players said, faster tempo and a higher intensity. "This was different than a normal practice," said linebacker Danny Clark. "This was definitely up-tempo. After coming off the game we had a week ago, everything was a bit more precise." "Why wouldn't it be?" added defensive end Justin Tuck. "You just got your butt kicked. You definitely want to come out and do something about it." For the defense, that means returning to the aggressive, attacking style that was nonexistent during the Giants' 48-27 loss in New Orleans. The defense barely touched Saints quarterback Drew ..."

Warner looks like Giants' bull's-eye

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October 22

New York Post

"Fresh off a historically bad defensive performance, the Giants yesterday put aside the debacle in New Orleans that resulted in 48 points for the Saints and vowed to clean up their act for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. "We consider ourselves a world-class organization and we are going to get the problems corrected," defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said. "Did they expose some things? Yeah. Were there problems out there? Absolutely. But it's our job to get them corrected, and we're positive we're going to get those corrections made. We will get it done." It's not easy to promise defensive success when confronted by Arizona's weaponry. Rarely is a team as easy to figure as the ..."

Success remains just out of reach

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October 12

Houston Chronicle

"One more yard and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub would have thrown for 200 of them in the fourth quarter Sunday. One more yard and the Texans, worst case, would have found themselves in overtime against the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals. One more yard and …. Well, it's a moot point because that elusive yard wouldn't be forthcoming, either through brute force or finesse, and those few unattainable inches became the difference in a maddening 28-21 defeat that dropped the Texans to 2-3. "We've got to be good enough to make a yard in the National Football League when it counts," coach Gary Kubiak said. "If you can't, with your best (running play) and the game on the line, then something's ..."

Doing just enough to lose

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October 12

Houston Chronicle

"The Texans are ridiculously close to being a really good NFL team. That's an assessment you surely don't want to hear, and I look forward to your cards and letters. Just know I'm more inclined to read tough love when it's stuffed into a box of chocolate chip cookies. OK, take a deep breath and chew on the fact that the Texans are about 4 yards from being a 4-1 team. Or 4 yards against Jacksonville and Arizona from a chance to be 4-1. Something like that. Those four plays are the same four that typically separate good teams from lousy teams, and at the moment, the Texans are lousy. Yes, they lost again Sunday afternoon. They fought back from a 21-point halftime deficit but lost to the ..."

Protecting Warner on top of to-do list

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October 1

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm doesn't use fancy metrics to assess the performance of the offensive line. Either the group did its job or it didn't. And in two of three games this year, the offensive line didn't. "We're inconsistent, that's the thing," said Grimm, who coordinates the run game and coaches the line. "Each game is going to be different. We're going to be ahead in some, we're going to be behind in others. And you know, those scenarios create different problems. But the bottom line is you've got to get it done." Protecting quarterback Kurt Warner has been a problem in losses to the 49ers and Colts. The 49ers were able to pressure Warner with a four-man rush, with ..."

Manning, Warner matchup fizzles

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September 28

Arizona Republic

"The Sunday Night Shootout that so many expected from the Cardinals and the Colts did not materialize. The marquee matchup between the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks fizzled, too. The Colts and Peyton Manning did their part and more in a 31-10 victory at University of Phoenix Stadium, but the Cardinals and Kurt Warner fell far short of the billing. Both quarterbacks talked about what it would be like to counter a high-octane offense run by the other, and each braced for it. After all, it was the first time in NFL history that multiple regular-season MVPs and Super Bowl MVPs faced each other in the same game. "It certainly puts a lot of pressure on yourself and your offense to score ..."

For Warner, age is just a number

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September 23

Arizona Republic

"Perceptions and opinions change weekly in the NFL, depending upon the outcome of games. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner knows that better than most players. One week, he completes 26 of 44 passes with two interceptions, and people talk about him like he's 58, not 38. He gets asked about his sore hip more often than grandpa, and it's as if people think the Cardinals should invest in a Life Alert system in the event Warner falls and can't get up. The next week, Warner completes 92.3 percent of his passes, an NFL record. The Cardinals win, and suddenly Warner is accused of not sharing the GPS coordinates for the Fountain of Youth. Warner listens, watches and reads as the opinions about ..."

Warner not past his expiration date yet

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September 20

East Valley Tribune

columnist Scott Bordow

"Yes, it's true. Kurt Warner got old in the offseason. He turned 38 on June 22. I mention this because in the wake of Warner's subpar performance against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday — he completed 26 of 44 passes for 288 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions — fans and some national pundits have come to the conclusion that Warner is a fossil. Cardinals hope to bounce back, end East Coast woes Forget the fact he led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl last year and played in his fourth Pro Bowl. He had a bad game and he's 38. Two plus two equals he can't play anymore. "Last year I found the fountain of youth," Warner said. "Until I find it again and we start winning … yeah, that's ..."

Coaches praise Smith's game against Arizona

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September 18

San Francisco Chronicle

"Defensive end Justin Smith, whose nickname is "Cowboy," certainly cowboyed up in the 49ers opener at Arizona. It was his sack of Kurt Warner on the last play of the game that secured San Francisco's 20-16 win. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said Thursday he hadn't seen a defensive lineman play like Smith in his 20 years in the NFL as a player and coach. While the official NFL stats don't bear it out - one tackle, one sack, two quarterback "hurries" - Smith was a high-energy beast against the Cardinals as he consistently put pressure on Warner. A subsequent coaches' review of the film credited Smith with four tackles and 13 quarterback "pressures," a more generous standard than an ..."

Concern about Warner reasonable

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September 15

Arizona Republic

columnist Paola Boivin

"Is it possible to transform from rock star to has-been in seven short months? It is if you buy the sentiments of many Cardinals fans who are hyperventilating about the recent play of quarterback Kurt Warner. It is too early to panic but reasonable to be concerned. The Warner we saw in the preseason and in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers is not the Warner who led the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII. Some strange code words have been flying around. Coach Ken Whisenhunt described the quarterback Monday as not seeming "settled." Warner called the offense "a little off" Sunday and said "I can't put my finger on it." Let's cease the "Bring in Matt Leinart" and "Warner is too old" ..."

Pass rush steps up when it counts

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September 14

Sacramento Bee

"Kurt Warner learned a powerful lesson Sunday afternoon: Don't trust what you see in the exhibition season. A 49ers pass rush that looked feeble in August sprang to life against the Cardinals, sacking Warner three times and, perhaps more important, forcing him to make several bad throws. One of the chief protagonists was outside linebacker Parys Haralson, who gave Arizona right tackle Levi Jones fits throughout the afternoon. On one second-quarter play, Haralson flushed Warner from the pocket. The quarterback tried to throw downfield to Anquan Boldin but was hit by Manny Lawson and Justin Smith as he threw, and Nate Clements intercepted. Warner was hurried eight times and went into the ..."

Bulger will seek advice from Warner on pinky injury

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August 19

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Marc Bulger didn't suffer the most "famous" pinky injury in St. Louis football history. But he's trying to reach the quarterback who did - Kurt Warner - for some advice. "I may talk to Kurt," Bulger said Tuesday. "I tried to get in contact with him (Monday). Just to see how I can get back quicker, or something like that. ... I know he did this in 2000." At the height of the Greatest Show on Turf, the 6-0 Rams were trailing the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 22, 2000, when a snap from backup center Steve Everitt just before halftime caught Warner wrong on his throwing hand. The result was a broken bone just below the knuckle of Warner's right pinky finger. Warner was ..."

Cards QB Warner thrives under pressure

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August 8

Arizona Republic

"Kurt Warner is not a man of contradictions. What you see, and hear, from Warner is real. His spin zone begins and ends with the spiral of a football. But if there is one conflict left unresolved for Warner, it's the pressure that comes with playing football at its highest level. To him, the game is most fun when the ball is in his hands and he's playing a large role in his team's success - or failure. And yet, that pressure became so great last season it contributed to Warner contemplating retirement. Warner felt as if the Cardinals couldn't win if he had an off game. Playing through a sore hip that required off-season surgery, he also became mentally fatigued as the season progressed. ..."

Warner still feels pain from surgery

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August 1

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner still is experiencing pain from hip surgery in March, but doctors have assured him it's part of the normal rehabilitation process. "It's definitely better now than it was before the surgery," Warner said. "But the pain is still prevalent." Warner doesn't foresee having to curtail his workload in training camp. In fact, he said, the hip doesn't hurt when he's playing. What bothers him most is standing in one place, such as in news conferences, and walking. "(Doctors are) telling me this isn't out of the ordinary, especially with what I've done in such a short period of time," he said. " . . . But as a player, you go into surgery and you expect to step out ..."

Warner looks to be in good form

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May 21

Arizona Republic

"A day after skipping the first of three days of voluntary organized team workouts, Kurt Warner reported to the team's Tempe training facility for on-field drills and looked as sharp and as crisp as he did in Super Bowl XLIII. Nine weeks removed from having hip surgery to repair a torn labrum, Warner participated fully in all practice activities on Wednesday and didn't seem to miss a beat. "He's a Hall of Fame quarterback and there's a reason why," wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "It's because he works so hard every single day." Warner said he still feels some residual discomfort from the surgery, but that his mobility and flexibility have improved significantly. He also said he felt ..."

Warner feels 'good' during practices

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May 2

Arizona Republic

"Quarterback Kurt Warner took part in the majority of Friday's minicamp practices, despite undergoing hip surgery in March. "Kurt wanted to do everything," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We had to hold him back." Warner took part in the individual sessions and in the 7-on-7 passing period. "I felt pretty good," Warner said. "It felt good to be out there and to move around a little bit.""

Cards' QB Warner has hip surgery

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March 18

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner underwent arthroscopic hip surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum tear and to clean out some loose fragments around his hip socket. He will be kept out of an upcoming minicamp, but according to the team, he should be able to participate when off-season training activities begin May 18. Warner played with the injury last season when helping the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl. He passed for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns, both of which ranked second overall in the NFL. The surgery was performed by Dr. Marc Phillipon of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo. Phillipon, a specialist sometimes known as the "hip doctor to the stars," performed a similar ..."

49ers' brief affair with Warner made no sense

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March 5

San Jose Mercury News

columnist Ann Killion

"As usual, the quickie didn't turn into a relationship. Kurt Warner and the 49ers had a one-day stand. But, within hours, he was back home where he belonged, extending a bouquet of roses and offering to make things right. Warner agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday morning. And the 49ers are left alone on the couch, with a half-gallon of ice cream and some old St. Louis Rams DVDs. Were the 49ers used by such a moral, upstanding quarterback? Absolutely. The affair was quick, exciting and fun while it lasted. It brought back memories of 49ers past long-term romances when the team had honest-to-goodness stud-muffins at quarterback. It conjured up fantasies of moonlit nights ..."

Warner plays 49ers in free-agency move

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March 5

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Gwen Knapp

"No hard feelings, Kurt Warner. You played the free-agency game, and played it well. Your agent even provided a few laughs for folks out here, telling the Sacramento Bee that you had too much integrity to use the 49ers, feigning interest in employment here just so the Arizona Cardinals would up their offer. High-mindedness and anti-materialistic spirituality are all great qualities. But save them for the right place and time. They're wasted on contract talks. Former 49ers safety Tim McDonald was one of the most down-to-earth guys ever to play pro sports, and he coined the phrase "Show Me the Money," which became the signature line in the movie "Jerry Maguire." He just wanted to simplify ..."

Cards, Warner agree to 2-year deal

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March 5

Arizona Republic

"Less than an hour into his visit Monday with the 49ers, Kurt Warner knew he wanted to remain with the Cardinals. No one with the 49ers did, or said, anything wrong - they provided him and wife Brenda a private plane and limousine - but Warner had a feeling he belonged in Arizona. "I told my wife probably 45 minutes into it that I just felt God say, 'You're supposed to be in Arizona,' " Warner said. "She tried to tell me to stay open but He just continued to confirm it." On the flight home that night, Warner called his agent, Mark Bartelstein, with a simple message: "Hey, let's get this thing done." So on Tuesday morning Bartelstein made a proposal, the Cardinals countered and the two ..."

Cards-Warner deal a 3-run homer

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March 5

Arizona Republic

columnist Bob Young

"Kurt Warner's agent claimed the contract request he made to the Cardinals is a "home run" for the team. However, we would argue that the deal, to which the team agreed after some tweaking Wednesday, is actually a three-run homer: • The team scored, keeping a popular Super Bowl quarterback and community role model in the fold. • Warner scored, getting a lot more guaranteed money than the Cardinals had been offering. • Cardinals fans scored. They now have hope the team's high-powered offense will continue to click and reason for faith in a franchise that has started over way too often. But the game isn't over yet. We'll set the table, and leave it to the Cardinals to drive 'em in: • Extend ..."

Cardinals sign Warner to 2-year deal

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March 4

Arizona Republic

"Quarterback Kurt Warner agreed to terms on a 2-year deal worth $23 million on Wednesday. The contract includes a $15 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million in each year, giving Warner $19 million in the first year of the deal, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. "That was a critical element," said Bartelstein of the guaranteed money. He credited Cardinals team president Michael Bidwill, general manager Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt for making the deal happen. "They listened to our concerns and addressed them," he said. "Sometimes, it's not easy to change a stance." Negotiations took longer than either side expected, but the contract should carry Warner through to the ..."

Warner likely to finalize deal today

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March 4

Arizona Republic

"The agent for Kurt Warner and Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves negotiated into the night on Tuesday and a resolution likely will come today. "We talked about things conceptually," agent Mark Bartelstein said Wednesday morning. "I think we're going to hear something from them today, and then Kurt has to make a decision." On Tuesday, Bartelstein proposed a 2-year, $23 million deal that he said included $12 million in guarantees. Cardinals officials did not comment about the offer, but a person with knowledge of negotiations said the $12 million guarantee did not include a first-year salary of $7 million. With that added, the team views the guaranteed money as $19 million, likely higher ..."

49ers deny making offer to Warner

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March 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"Despite reports to the contrary, the 49ers did not make a contract offer to free agent quarterback Kurt Warner when he visited the team on Monday. In an e-mail to The Chronicle, general manager Scot McCloughan said "no offer" had been made to Warner. It's possible that contract generalities might have been discussed during his six-hour visit. An ESPN report said the 49ers had offered more than the $23 million proposal Warner and agent Mark Bartelstein presented to the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday to retain the services of the two-time league most valuable player. Bartelstein also said the 49ers offered Warner more than $23 million. Specifics of Bartelstein's offer to the Cardinals are $12 ..."

Warner expected to stay in Arizona

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March 3

NFL.com

"By the end of the week, QB Kurt Warner likely will return to Arizona, according to league sources. It's where he wants to be, where the Cardinals want him to be, and the San Francisco 49ers aren't expected to make the type of push for him that some believed they would. The 49ers knew it was, at best, a longshot to pry away Warner. But they entertained a visit with him Monday anyway before Warner returned to Arizona to think about his decision. But after Warner thinks about it, he will realize that the 49ers are expected to go in a different direction, and he is expected to return to the same direction."

Warner's agent offers Cards new deal

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March 3

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner enjoyed his visit Monday to San Francisco, but his heart remains in the Valley, according to his agent. So Mark Bartelstein made another contract proposal to the Cardinals on Tuesday. The 2-year, $23 million proposal includes $12 million in guarantees and is less than what the 49ers were offering, Bartelstein said. "It's a home run for the team," Bartelstein said. "It's much less than we can get on the market. We're hoping we're going to get a 'yes.'" The Cardinals might not view it as a home run, however. According to an NFL source, the $12 million in guarantees does not include the $7 million salary in the first year. The Cardinals are unlikely to cut ..."

Warner doing what most would do

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March 3

Arizona Republic

"Kurt Warner is on the phone. He's hoping for a better paycheck and lamenting the uncertainty of his career. The economy has slammed the trucking industry hard. "I've worked two days in the last three weeks," he said. This Kurt Warner is 48 and lives in Arden, N.C. He drives a tractor trailer, usually transporting truck parts to different areas of the state. I wanted the perspective of another Kurt Warner after observing how quickly many Cardinals fans have turned on his namesake for seeking out a better contract. He surprised me. "Tell him I say, 'Go for it,' " Arden's Warner said. "Because I'm making less, he's supposed to make less, too? Doesn't make sense to me." Our country's ..."

49ers make a play for QB Warner

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March 3

Sacramento Bee

"Not feeling enough love from the Arizona Cardinals, Kurt Warner on Monday got the red-carpet treatment from their division rivals. The 49ers flew Warner and his wife, Brenda, from the Phoenix area to San Jose on a private jet. From there, it was a short ride in a 22-foot stretch Range Rover to the team headquarters. The free-agent quarterback took a physical at Stanford Hospital in the afternoon before returning to Santa Clara to meet with coach Mike Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan. The 49ers also treated the Warners to dinner in the San Jose area. Was it enough to induce Warner, 37, to jump from a team that was in the Super Bowl last month to a rival determined to knock ..."

Warner visits 49ers, results uncertain

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March 3

Arizona Republic

"Kurt Warner took a day trip to the Bay Area on Monday, but it remains in question if the Cardinals quarterback is ready to switch teams and become a 49er. The 49ers arranged for Warner and his wife, Brenda, to fly on a private jet from Phoenix to San Jose. They visited with 49ers officials, including coach Mike Singletary, at team headquarters in Santa Clara and Warner took a physical, part of the route for any visiting free agent. The Warners were due to return home Monday evening. "I'm sure he'll want to think about it," Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said on Monday night. "But he has a number of meetings (Monday night), so we'll see. Kurt can be a spontaneous guy." It's unknown ..."

Warner ready to talk with other teams

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March 3

Arizona Republic

"The Cardinals lost one starter through free agency Saturday, and another, quarterback Kurt Warner, is ready to start listening seriously to offers from other teams, according to his agent. "I don't know that he has a choice," said Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent. The 49ers have approached Warner about scheduling a visit for Monday, according to the Santa Rosa (Calif.) Press-Democrat. An NFL source confirmed that Warner is scheduled to visit the 49ers on Monday. Bartelstein said a number of teams have expressed interested in Warner, but he declined to name them. "It's all part of free agency, everybody is going to put their best foot forward, recruit him and make him feel wanted," ..."

Warner arrives for visit with 49ers

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March 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"The big black limo arrived at the 49ers' facility in Santa Clara a little before noon and left a couple minutes after 6 p.m. Those six hours resulted in no resolution to Kurt Warner's status as a free-agent quarterback. He's still in 20-million-dollar limbo, no longer an Arizona Cardinal and as of Monday, not a 49er, either. "It's still a work in progress," general manager Scot McCloughan said as he left team headquarters. "It's been good. It's still up in the air. We're excited he's willing to come visit the 49ers." McCloughan said the 49ers might meet again with Warner. The Cardinals have offered the 37-year-old, two-time NFL Most Valuable Player $20 million for two years. Warner, who ..."

Reports: 49ers will meet with Warner

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March 1

San Jose Mercury News

"Kurt Warner might be bluffing, but the 49ers are willing to find out. Multiple outlets reported Saturday that the two-time NFL MVP scheduled a visit to Santa Clara as negotiations between the quarterback and the Arizona Cardinals hit a standstill. The Arizona Republic, which confirmed the visit, reported that the Cardinals don't believe any other team will be willing to top the two-year, $20 million offer they have on the table. But Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told the Sacramento Bee that the 49ers visit is not a mere negotiating ploy. "I know there's a lot of skepticism out there," Bartelstein told the newspaper. "I'll say this — the people that know Kurt Warner will tell you he ..."

Warner an unrestricted free agent

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February 27

Arizona Republic

"Over the past two years, the Cardinals have entered free agency like a swimmer approaching a cold pool of water. They've dipped a toe at the beginning and then waited until the temperature is more to their liking. They aren't committing to that philosophy as the free-agent market opens today. In fact, they aren't committing to much of anything publicly. They might or might not make run at a marquee free agent early, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Waiting on bargains is nice, Whisenhunt said, "but it's not going to preclude us from trying to address any needs we might have in free agency early; you know if we go after a player we feel like he can really help our football team." The Cardinals' ..."

Agent: Warner deserves pay of top QBs

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February 25

Rocky Mountain News

"The agent for Kurt Warner says he expected the quarterback and the Cardinals would have a contract agreement by now and hopes the team isn't using his client's desire to stay in Arizona against him. Agent Mark Bartelstein said Warner deserves a salary among the top "four or five" quarterbacks in the league, no matter where he plays. According to Bartelstein, those five earn an average of about $14.5 million per year. In an interview with The Associated Press Tuesday night, Bartelstein declined to say what the Cardinals were offering. "It's unfortunate,," Bartelstein said. "I thought it would get done quickly, but it hasn't. We'll keep working on it." Barring an agreement, Warner will ..."

Cards, Warner inch closer to deal

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February 23

Arizona Republic

"The Cardinals and the agent for Kurt Warner appear to be creeping toward agreement on a new contract, but there remains significant ground to cover before free agency starts on Friday. General Manager Rod Graves and Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, spoke several times at the NFL Scouting Combine in the past few days, and it appears the gap between their points of view have narrowed, at least a little. Bartelstein is believed to be asking for a deal that put Warner among the top five highest paid quarterbacks in the league, an average of $12 million to $16 million or so. The Cardinals would like to stay in the $10 million range. Bartelstein has returned home to Chicago, but the two sides ..."

Kurt Warner likely to continue playing

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February 20

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who contemplated retirement in the weeks after Super Bowl XLIII, likely will continue playing, he said on Friday. "I am leaning in that direction," Warner said via text message. "Not sure I have made a definitive decision yet." Earlier Friday, Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he client "wants to play, for sure." Warner said last summer that he planned to play two more years after the 2008 season, but in recent months left open the possibility of retiring. As the club made its run in the playoffs, Warner said he would weigh several factors in making the decision, including health, family considerations and the Cardinals' plan for building upon the ..."

Make Kurt Plan A

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February 12

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"KURT Warner told us at the Super Bowl that he would wait for God to tell him whether to retire or play on. Well, God told Warner yesterday that the Jets are in desperate need of a quarterback because Brett Favre retired. The Jets are a win-now team in a win-now market, and Warner, a free agent, is a win-now quarterback . . . the only one on this barren market who makes sense. He would serve as a fail-safe bridge over troubled waters left by Favre's 4-gettable failure. It would buy Rex Ryan time to find his own franchise quarterback, whomever that may be. Luring Warner away from the Cardinals - and drafting a franchise quarterback to learn under his wing - would be my Plan A. Somehow ..."

Agent downplays Warner retirement talk

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February 5

East Valley Tribune

"If Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is about to retire, that would seem to be news to his agent. The Chicago-based Mark Bartelstein suggested that people shouldn't read too much into Warner's recent comments about considering retirement, that Warner probably just wants to make sure of what he's doing so he doesn't back out of a commitment. Warner and Bartelstein "talked all year" with the idea he'd keep playing, Bartelstein said. But during the season, "You get beat up mentally and physically. "He wants to take a deep breath and decompress and make sure he's doing the right thing. "I don't think people should read too much into it. He loves to play. He hasn't lost any of his ..."

Analysis: Warner likely to return to Cards

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February 4

Arizona Republic

"It was the most-watched television program in U.S. history. And now, three days after stellar Super Bowl XLIII left us all comfortably numb, one of the most sought-after question in the NFL is, "Does Kurt Warner return to the Cardinals next season or does he retire?" The answer is . . . Yes! Warner said Tuesday when he and the Cardinals cleaned out their lockers at their Tempe training facility and said their goodbyes that he will let everyone know his answer shortly. But after everything that's been said, everything that's been intimated publicly and privately by everyone involved, the general perception in and around the Cardinals' organization seems crystal clear He will be back. And ..."

Warner unsure about future

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February 2

East Valley Tribune

"Kurt Warner had a few words to say about his future, but they didn't add up to much: "I don't know. There are so many emotions that go into making that decision. "There are things that make you want to come back. There are things that make you want to have a little bit of a break. "I don't want to make emotional decisions on anything. I enjoyed this season. I enjoyed this team. I'm going to reflect on it for a while. We'll go from there." But anybody looking for a clue could point to the fact that Warner then talked about how the Cardinals looked to him for leadership, that, "They have a lot of confidence in me when we spread it out and throw the football. "We've done it very well this ..."

Favre, Warner mull retirement

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February 2

Bergen Record

"Even on Super Bowl Sunday, Brett Favre made news. Sports Illustrated's Peter King, speaking on NBC's pregame show, reported that Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum had his first off-season conversation with Brett Favre last week. Tannenbaum's message, according to King, was that the quarterback needn't "rush" his decision and that he can take "months" if necessary. A Jets' spokesman disputed the report, saying the team hopes to have an indication from Favre by the time the NFL combine begins Feb. 18. That would be consistent with what Tannenbaum said Jan. 21, when coach Rex Ryan was introduced. Speaking on WFAN that afternoon, Tannenbaum said he wanted some "initial feedback" from Favre ..."

Warner comes up short in another Super Bowl

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February 2

Kansas City Star

"Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner has been part of three of the most exhilarating finishes in Super Bowl history. Unfortunately for Warner, he's been on the losing end of two of those epic games. But even in defeat, Warner was proud of his role in the Cardinals' 27-23 loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday night. "That is what is neat about this game," Warner said. "When you come to this game, you want to be part of the greatest game. I have been fortunate to be a part of three great Super Bowl games. Would I have liked to win more than one? Of course. But I'm proud that I have been a part of some of the greatest Super Bowls ever." Warner was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV when the 1999 ..."

Plenty of attractive pieces on market for Chicago Bears

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February 2

Chicago Tribune

"Monday officially begins the off-season. Even if free agency doesn't begin for another 25 days, Bears fans will bandy about many names over the next month that may or may not make sense for a team buoyed by watching a fellow 9-7 team play in the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Chris Simms. Veteran leaving the Titans makes sense as Jerry Angelo seeks competition for Kyle Orton. If the choice ends up being Simms, whom the Bears have liked since the 2003 draft, it's a competition Orton likely will win — as many in the organization would prefer. Byron Leftwich. Steelers backup dazzled media during Super Bowl week and charisma definitely would change the chemistry in the Bears' locker room. If ..."

No dream finish for Warner

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February 2

East Valley Tribune

"Kurt Warner limped to the sideline. There would be no more throws. No more miracles. He had led the Cardinals to the precipice of a Super Bowl victory. The Most Valuable Player award was his, a little more than four hours after he was named the NFL's Man of the Year. Had he chosen to retire, it would have been the perfect ending to his fairy-tale career. Instead, he could do nothing but watch as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a knee and secured the Steelers' 27-23 victory at Raymond James Stadium. "You don't want them to drive down the field and score like they did," Warner said. "You are just hoping that they make a mistake. They either have to make a mistake, or one of ..."

Loss could fuel QB's return

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February 2

Arizona Republic

columnist Paola Boivin

"Somewhere in the worn black Bible Kurt Warner clutches after games must be a Scripture that says, "Thou shall not underestimate the brilliance of the Pittsburgh Steelers." Our Lady of Perpetual Miracles closed its doors on the Cardinals on Sunday night in the Super Bowl. They were gutsy, driven, determined. They also were sloppy, nervous, inconsistent. In the end, they simply weren't good enough. For everything Warner has given the team this season, it seemed unjust that the quarterback would end up on his back for his final play of the game. He stayed on the ground for a few extra seconds, the prizefighter after the 10-count. He rose slowly, walked to the bench and dropped his head. The ..."

Warner is NFL Man of Year

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February 2

Arizona Republic

"Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year shortly before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII. Warner was honored for the numerous charitable causes that he and his wife, Brenda , support. In the past year, he has aided flood victims in his home state of Iowa, helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity and helped numerous disadvantaged people through his foundation, First Things First. "I am humbled the Lord has given me such an amazing life to impact others," Warner said in a statement released by the NFL. "Of all the awards given to NFL athletes, the Walter Payton Man of the Year is the one that stands out above the rest to me because of what it ..."

With a victory, Ben Roethlisberger or Kurt Warner would have two Super Bowl titles. Does this make the winner a Hall of Famer?

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January 30

Baltimore Sun

"Assuming the winning Super Bowl team's starting quarterback is the one who guides it to victory Sunday night, either the Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner or the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger becomes a slam-dunk for eventual coronation as a Hall of Famer. Hall of Fame voting has always smiled on Super Bowl victory. While individual accomplishments are obviously considered, winning the big game is crucial. Consider how many 1970s-era Steelers are there (10, including coach Chuck Noll) and how quickly many were enshrined. In the case of quarterbacks, more than one ring - Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Bob Griese and Joe Montana - has usually meant ..."