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All signs point to Warner staying with Cards
By Darren Urban, Tribune
January 10, 2006
An initial call has yet to be made, much less negotiations started. But unless the situation unexpectedly implodes, Kurt Warner will return as quarterback of the Cardinals in 2006, likely getting a contract extension before becoming a free agent in March.
"There is a mutual interest in continuing our relationship," vice president of football operations Rod Graves said Monday. "We’d like to have him back."
Just last week, coach Dennis Green was still playing coy over what might happen with both Warner and fellow free-agent-to-be Josh McCown.
Barring a surprise cut somewhere else in the league, Warner and McCown would be arguably the two best quarterbacks available in free agency. A handful of teams may need a veteran — Miami, the New York Jets, Baltimore, Oakland and Detroit, for example.
Warner’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, acknowledged Monday a free agent owes it to himself to look at possible opportunities.
Yet, Bartelstein added, "It may not be the best thing for me to say for negotiations, but being honest, I think he wants it to work out with the Cardinals."
In fact, Warner — who had expressed similar sentiments a few times near the end of the season — noted the day after the season finale, "the quicker, the better for everybody involved here if that’s the direction we want to go."
Warner’s 85.8 passing rating was the franchise’s best since Neil Lomax posted an 86.7 in 1988. He also set a team record with his 64.5 completion percentage.
Graves knows it’s possible Warner might have other suitors if he hits the open market.
"Optimistically, we’d like to get something settled, but we’ll see how it goes," Graves said.
Warner had wanted a long-term contract before inking his one-year, $2 million contract with a $2 million signing bonus last year with Arizona. With Warner turning 35 in June, there may have to be compromise there again — perhaps a two-year contract worth between $8 million and $10 million.
Graves has his own leverage. The Cardinals may be the only team to all but guarantee Warner a starting job, which is a big reason Warner wants to return.
That’s also the big reason McCown has considered himself all but gone now that his contract will expire.
"I obviously want to play," McCown said the day after the season. "I know I can start in this league. I can be effective as a starter. If the opportunity won’t present itself here, that’s the fun part of free agency. You have an opportunity to do it somewhere else."
Graves has a handful of freeagents-to-be on his to-do list. In addition to re-signing Warner, the team wants to get nose tackle Russell Davis under contract.
Teams have until March 2 for exclusive negotiating time. Then players hit the open market. That’s why Graves won’t wait too much longer before beginning talks with Bartelstein.
"Until something happens, you can’t close all your windows," Bartelstein said. "But I’m sure something will shake out in the next little bit."
By Darren Urban, Tribune
January 10, 2006
An initial call has yet to be made, much less negotiations started. But unless the situation unexpectedly implodes, Kurt Warner will return as quarterback of the Cardinals in 2006, likely getting a contract extension before becoming a free agent in March.
"There is a mutual interest in continuing our relationship," vice president of football operations Rod Graves said Monday. "We’d like to have him back."
Just last week, coach Dennis Green was still playing coy over what might happen with both Warner and fellow free-agent-to-be Josh McCown.
Barring a surprise cut somewhere else in the league, Warner and McCown would be arguably the two best quarterbacks available in free agency. A handful of teams may need a veteran — Miami, the New York Jets, Baltimore, Oakland and Detroit, for example.
Warner’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, acknowledged Monday a free agent owes it to himself to look at possible opportunities.
Yet, Bartelstein added, "It may not be the best thing for me to say for negotiations, but being honest, I think he wants it to work out with the Cardinals."
In fact, Warner — who had expressed similar sentiments a few times near the end of the season — noted the day after the season finale, "the quicker, the better for everybody involved here if that’s the direction we want to go."
Warner’s 85.8 passing rating was the franchise’s best since Neil Lomax posted an 86.7 in 1988. He also set a team record with his 64.5 completion percentage.
Graves knows it’s possible Warner might have other suitors if he hits the open market.
"Optimistically, we’d like to get something settled, but we’ll see how it goes," Graves said.
Warner had wanted a long-term contract before inking his one-year, $2 million contract with a $2 million signing bonus last year with Arizona. With Warner turning 35 in June, there may have to be compromise there again — perhaps a two-year contract worth between $8 million and $10 million.
Graves has his own leverage. The Cardinals may be the only team to all but guarantee Warner a starting job, which is a big reason Warner wants to return.
That’s also the big reason McCown has considered himself all but gone now that his contract will expire.
"I obviously want to play," McCown said the day after the season. "I know I can start in this league. I can be effective as a starter. If the opportunity won’t present itself here, that’s the fun part of free agency. You have an opportunity to do it somewhere else."
Graves has a handful of freeagents-to-be on his to-do list. In addition to re-signing Warner, the team wants to get nose tackle Russell Davis under contract.
Teams have until March 2 for exclusive negotiating time. Then players hit the open market. That’s why Graves won’t wait too much longer before beginning talks with Bartelstein.
"Until something happens, you can’t close all your windows," Bartelstein said. "But I’m sure something will shake out in the next little bit."
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) offense...ARI just hired steve loney from MIN as OL coach, which should be an upgrade...if they draft someone like eric winston (#10?), they could move former high first round pick leonard davis to the seemingly more natural RT position... he doesn't have the foot speed, agility & quickness to be an elite LT...this would help run game & take pressure off warner...when given time, he will do some damage throwing to boldin & fitzgerald... they are one of the best WR tandems in the NFL, & may soon be the best...though in his mid-thirties, some of that time was out of football & in arena league, so he could have a lot left in the tank... & he seems to be over the mystery hand ailment that caused the ball to get sprayed all over the field like a wiffle ball near the end with the rams... he is back to throwing lasers again, like when at the top of his game earlier in his career...if the cards could develope a run game & keep warner on his feet, they could make some noise... SEA will be tough to overtake (especially if they retain SA), but a wildcard shot could be realistic...they already have a solid nucleus of defenders in bertrand berry, darnell dockett, karlos dansby, adrian wilson & antrel rolle... but berry & rolle missed a lot of time... they could be a team just 1-2 OL & 1-2 defenders away (robert griffith probably not a viable FS at this point in his career... he was a decent SS a few years ago) from having a legitimate chance at a playoff berth...
(well, maybe not Harrington) 
