Autumn Wind
Footballguy
Was just going to post the same thing.Leinart wasn't so hot at the helm (and Plummer when he had good weapons), so clearly not anyone can or did make it work in Arizona.Good WR's don't make a QB, though it certainly helps.
Was just going to post the same thing.Leinart wasn't so hot at the helm (and Plummer when he had good weapons), so clearly not anyone can or did make it work in Arizona.Good WR's don't make a QB, though it certainly helps.
Although no one was signing Warner's praises in '05 when he went 2-8 as a starter in the Desert.Leinart wasn't so hot at the helm (and Plummer when he had good weapons), so clearly not anyone can or did make it work in Arizona.Good WR's don't make a QB, though it certainly helps.
Actually, the vibe in Arizona was more positive than you let on. What's more, they signed him to a lucrative deal after that same year. Now of course, I don't think anyone here is suggesting Warner has played at a "great" level his whole career, or that particular season. And Warner has had fumbling issues on top of all that. But.. he did play reasonably well in 2005, considering he was learning a new offense, he incurred injuries that kept him out of the lineup, had Green stupidly give McCown his job for 2 weeks, and had a line that couldn't run the ball. If he played a full season he probably would have put up 20+ TDs. The 2-8 start was partly due to his play, but also because they had one of the league's worst defenses and poor coaching.In some respects, I think the knock against Warner -- his up and down 2002- 2005 seasons -- actually works in his favor. To overcome what he's been through (both from his own doings and that of management) and return to elite status is something few if any players have done.Chase Stuart said:Although no one was signing Warner's praises in '05 when he went 2-8 as a starter in the Desert.Mark Kamenski said:Leinart wasn't so hot at the helm (and Plummer when he had good weapons), so clearly not anyone can or did make it work in Arizona.Good WR's don't make a QB, though it certainly helps.
Kurt Warner did more than lift the historically dysfunctional Cardinals franchise into its first Super Bowl on Sunday. He also lifted himself past the Chosen One, Peyton Manning, to right behind Tom Brady on the list of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today.
His performance against Philly in the NFC title game was classic big-game Warner, the type we've rarely seen out of Manning in the playoffs. The Eagles entered the NFC title game with one of the league's best defenses: they ranked fourth in scoring (289 points allowed) and fifth in defensive passer rating (72.9).
It didn't matter.
Warner torched this stingy unit, completing 21 of 28 passes (75 percent) for 279 yards, 9.96 yards per attempt, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 145.7 passer rating.
It was a nearly perfect statistical game. In fact, over the course of the game, Warner jumped past Joe Montana and into second place on the all-time postseason passer rating list: Warner now boasts a 97.3 postseason passer rating; Montana, 95.6. Only the great Bart Starr was better in the playoffs (104.8).
That's not to say Warner is a better quarterback than Montana. He's not. Montana did it over more games and was nearly flawless in four Super Bowl victories. But it does tell us that Warner's performances over his unusual 11-year NFL career have been nothing less than historic in their nature.
It also tells us that Warner is better than Manning.
The similarities
There are a surprising number of similarities between Manning and Warner.
They both joined the NFL in 1998. They both spent the bulk of their careers playing in domes, giving them plenty of opportunity to cook up fat, juicy stats. And both were often surrounded by great offensive talent. Hell, both of them played with Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James.
The similarities are apparent in the Cold, Hard Football Facts, too:
• Manning is second in NFL history with a 94.7 career passer rating.
• Warner is third in NFL history with a 93.8 career passer rating.
The two are tight as ticks statistically in the regular season.
The differences
Yet there are two major differences between Warner and Manning. They are differences that tell us Warner is the better quarterback even as the misguiding light called reputation says otherwise.
First, Manning was anointed for his greatness as early as high school and the reputation followed him to the University of Tennessee and into the pros, while Warner followed an unusual path from small college (Northern Iowa) to second-rate pro leagues before injury handed him a shot in the NFL. Warner simply doesn't carry the same perception in the eyes of the pigskin public, even as the Cold, Hard Football Facts demand that he deserves the same Manning-style exaltation.
Second, when it comes to all-important postseason play, there is no comparison: Warner is better than Manning any which way you want to slice it or dice it.
Warner in the postseason (10 games):
230 of 360 (63.9 percent), 2,991 yards, 8.31 YPA, 299 yards per game, 23 TD, 12 INT, 97.3 passer rating.
Manning in the postseason (15 games):
348 of 565 (61.6 percent), 4,207 yards, 7.4 YPA, 280 yards per game, 22 TD, 17 INT, 84.9 passer rating.
You'll notice Warner is better than Manning in almost every single efficiency stat and has actually thrown more postseason TD passes than Manning (23 to 22) -- despite playing in five fewer games.
You'll also notice Warner's postseason passer rating (97.3) is higher than his regular-season passer rating (93.8), while Manning's postseason passer rating (84.9) is significantly lower than his regular-season passer rating (94.7).
In other words, Warner's play improves in the postseason pressure cooker. Manning's performances plummet.
Three other things to consider:
1) Warner is much more likely to play well in the postseason. Warner produced a passer rating of 90.0 or better in six of 10 postseason games. Manning produced a passer rating of 90.0 or better in six of 15 postseason games.
2) Warner is far less likely to lay an egg in the postseason. Manning has played his worst statistical game of the year in the playoffs in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 (as measured by passer rating). Three times in 15 playoff games Manning has posted a passer rating of less than 40 (compared with just twice in 176 regular season games).
Warner has never performed so poorly in the playoffs. In his worst statistical game, his passer rating was 56.2.
3) Most importantly, Warner's teams are much more likely to win the playoffs. Warner's teams are 8-2 in postseason play. Manning's Colts are 7-8 in postseason play. In all of history, only Brady (14-3; .824) and Starr (9-1; .900) boast better postseason records than Warner.
Warner is also gearing up for his third Super Bowl start. The list of quarterbacks who have started more is short: John Elway, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Kelly, Montana and Brady.
So what we have in Warner is a quarterback who's as good statistically as anyone who's ever played the position. He's also a two-time MVP, a Super Bowl champion and a Super Bowl MVP.
He'll soon join the short list of quarterbacks who have started three Super Bowls and he's on an even shorter list -- a list that includes only him -- of quarterbacks who got to those three Super Bowls with two different teams (Craig Morton only started two Super Bowls for two teams, Dallas and Denver).
More remarkable is that Warner has done it with historically dysfunctional organizations. Before Warner took them to the big game, the Rams had reached just one Super Bowl (XIV) in their history, including their time in Los Angeles. Warner led the franchise to its only Super Bowl victory and to its first NFL title since 1951. The Rams have fallen off the face of the earth since he left.
Reaching this year's Super Bowl with the 9-7, defensively deficient Cardinals is nothing short of a miracle. The Cardinals are easily the worst franchise in league history: they had won just two playoff games in their first 88 years of NFL football. Yet they've won three playoff games this month alone, and they head to the Super Bowl with what's easily the worst defense (426 points allowed) of any conference champion in league history.
For his part, Manning remains the Picasso of Choke Artists and the master of the one-and-done. Six times in nine visits his vaunted Colts have exited the playoffs without a single victory and he's underperformed almost each and every time.
Given Manning's and Warner's career accomplishments, we'd take Warner over Manning to lead our team six days a week and certainly on Sunday -- especially if that Sunday is in January.
Please please pleasePro Bowls should mean nothing.Moon made 9 Pro Bowls; Warner made 3.Warren Moon down?For several years he may have been the best who ever played. Still, keeping guys like Warner OUT of the HOF gives the Hall of Fame that much more credibility. He is great player who has had a very good career. And very good careers do not land someone in Canton.
Now if he wins the Super Bowl with the Cardnials - he should be a shoe in.![]()
Should he be in the Hall of Fame? SureFirst ballot? That I don't agree withMarcus Allen had 10+ TDs seven times. He was top-4 in yards from scrimmage 3 times (#1 twice), and top-10 three additional times. He was a first-team All-Pro twice and went to 6 Pro Bowls.The reason no one agrees with you is that you're wrong.Once Marcus Allen got into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot despite only have 1 great season, 2 good seasons, and a bunch of mediocre crap, I decided that they would let anyone in.
In many ways, Warner is our era's Fran Tarkenton. Not a 100% down the line comparison, but it works on a lot of levels.In some respects, I think the knock against Warner -- his up and down 2002- 2005 seasons -- actually works in his favor. To overcome what he's been through (both from his own doings and that of management) and return to elite status is something few if any players have done.
Brett Favre is a Pro Bowler this year.He is the 18th rated QB in the NFLHe is third rated in his divisionPro Bowls should mean nothing.x 1,000
They strike me as much more different than similar. In what ways do you see them the same?Doug B said:In many ways, Warner is our era's Fran Tarkenton. Not a 100% down the line comparison, but it works on a lot of levels.In some respects, I think the knock against Warner -- his up and down 2002- 2005 seasons -- actually works in his favor. To overcome what he's been through (both from his own doings and that of management) and return to elite status is something few if any players have done.
Agreed, Tarkenton was more of a scrambler, Big Ben type playmaker while Warner is the pocket passer.They strike me as much more different than similar. In what ways do you see them the same?Doug B said:In many ways, Warner is our era's Fran Tarkenton. Not a 100% down the line comparison, but it works on a lot of levels.In some respects, I think the knock against Warner -- his up and down 2002- 2005 seasons -- actually works in his favor. To overcome what he's been through (both from his own doings and that of management) and return to elite status is something few if any players have done.
I think the low number of games played may actually help Warner in his very unique case. It is not as if he was drafted high, struggled, sat on the bench, then got another chance and become a star. He was never given a chance, and when he finally did, the guy stepped in to have a handful of the best offensive seasons ever seen at the position.One could just as easily say that had Warner been given the shot earlier, and you add even 30 games to the total (still would be on the low side) during his prime, how many more TDs are we talking? 60+ ? And the yards... his is truly a unique career in terms of how it will be judged, with such a late start.I took a quick look at games played for the existing crop of HOF QBs and Warner definitiely is way on the low side. He's now played in 110 games. From what I can tell, there are only are only 4 players that played in fewer games, but there are true old timers from many moons ago. (Note that all games played totals are regular season only.)Most of the more modern QBs played in almost twice as many games as Warner, so that may be a big obstacle for him. Of the post-merger HOFers, Staubach had the lowest GP total with 131. Next on the list is Kelly with 160. That could be an issue for the old vanguard voters.
Not in style of play -- I meant in the sense of being Comeback Kids in the latter parts of their careers. Tarkenton has those lost years with the Giants much like Warner.Agreed, Tarkenton was more of a scrambler, Big Ben type playmaker while Warner is the pocket passer.They strike me as much more different than similar. In what ways do you see them the same?In many ways, Warner is our era's Fran Tarkenton. Not a 100% down the line comparison, but it works on a lot of levels.In some respects, I think the knock against Warner -- his up and down 2002- 2005 seasons -- actually works in his favor. To overcome what he's been through (both from his own doings and that of management) and return to elite status is something few if any players have done.
He's had a strange career, but it seems odd to not have a guy be a HOF'er when he's been NFL MVP twice (and contended for a 3rd this year), SB MVP, produced a couple all-time QB seasons and led a perennial loser to another SB. If he wins the SB again, it would be crazy to leave him out.I took a quick look at games played for the existing crop of HOF QBs and Warner definitiely is way on the low side. He's now played in 110 games. From what I can tell, there are only are only 4 players that played in fewer games, but there are true old timers from many moons ago. (Note that all games played totals are regular season only.)Most of the more modern QBs played in almost twice as many games as Warner, so that may be a big obstacle for him. Of the post-merger HOFers, Staubach had the lowest GP total with 131. Next on the list is Kelly with 160. That could be an issue for the old vanguard voters.
You're a HOFer or you're not. There's no special "first ballot". That's why people screw up the vote, they play games like that with the vote.Hof yes or no. Period. I hate when ##### bag writers act like a vote on the 1st try is special, and that they save it. *lol* Just place your freaking vote and go back to eating pizza and donuts. Ah yes, Warner is a fine wine, in 5 years he'll taste much better! Then he'll get my vote.Should he be in the Hall of Fame? SureFirst ballot? That I don't agree withMarcus Allen had 10+ TDs seven times. He was top-4 in yards from scrimmage 3 times (#1 twice), and top-10 three additional times. He was a first-team All-Pro twice and went to 6 Pro Bowls.The reason no one agrees with you is that you're wrong.Once Marcus Allen got into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot despite only have 1 great season, 2 good seasons, and a bunch of mediocre crap, I decided that they would let anyone in.
I looked not even close. Warner would have to play 4 season more to equal Young in games played. I don't think Warner should make the HOF, just not good enough. He's had 3 good years and 1 great year. So NO.He wins this there is zero doubt. For the guys saying he hasn't played enough games, without looking, I bet Young didn't have many more then Warner has, and he's not finished yet.
except it doesnt take into account fumbles. warner is a fumble machine. ok, anyway, i think warner deserves is and is potential first ballot but i think brady and manning are clearly better and have had clearly better careers.This was the EXACT comparison I was going to make.Tom Brady: 111 starts, 63.0 comp%, 26446 yards, 197 td, 86 int, 7.2 ypa, 92.9 rating
Kurt Warner:101 starts, 65.4 comp%, 28591 yards, 182 td, 114 int, 8.0 ypa, 93.8 rating
That's a good question to ask here. Imo, if he loses the SB this year and fails to make another SB appearance, and possibly win it, his chances are iffy.He really needs to "complete the comeback", due to his off years, to get in the psyche of the HoF voters...Edited to add: this is why I'm really looking forward to the SB this year...a significant win for either franchise, and for either QB as well...Let's look at it from this angle. How poorly must Kurt Warner perform going forward to damage his chances?
Agreed.I really like the angle of Whisenhunt connection to PIT's DEF, that he'll be able to game plan to beat that DEF.That's a good question to ask here. Imo, if he loses the SB this year and fails to make another SB appearance, and possibly win it, his chances are iffy.He really needs to "complete the comeback", due to his off years, to get in the psyche of the HoF voters...Let's look at it from this angle. How poorly must Kurt Warner perform going forward to damage his chances?
Edited to add: this is why I'm really looking forward to the SB this year...a significant win for either franchise, and for either QB as well...
One way to avoid Polamalu is to throw a good short slant on the opposite side of the field to Boldin and chuck it deep, ANYWHERE to Fitz. Fitz for a jump ball neutralizes Pola.Agreed.I really like the angle of Whisenhunt connection to PIT's DEF, that he'll be able to game plan to beat that DEF.That's a good question to ask here. Imo, if he loses the SB this year and fails to make another SB appearance, and possibly win it, his chances are iffy.He really needs to "complete the comeback", due to his off years, to get in the psyche of the HoF voters...Let's look at it from this angle. How poorly must Kurt Warner perform going forward to damage his chances?
Edited to add: this is why I'm really looking forward to the SB this year...a significant win for either franchise, and for either QB as well...
Polamalu's INT last week was a classic, where he read the QB's (Rookie's) eye's and keyed the read into the game winning INT. We're talking a classic battle.....a savey QB vs. a team, and a DEF Coordinator, keyed to the schemed blitz package.
Two weeks to prepare = advantage Warner, who eat's up the blitz because he knows where to go with the ball.
This will be a classic game and it mirrors the SB where Elway's broncos were 13 pt. dogs to GBP. Watch the Polamalu vs. Warner battle: where Polamalu is on the field dictates the QB's read. Where Fitzgerald is on the field will probably dictate where Polamalu is....how the DEF handles Fitzgerald will dictate how Warner distributes the ball.
Two important players are Boldin and Hines Ward. If Ward is diminshed and Boldin gets a lot of balls due to the "Fitz Effect".....those two players, with there abilities and disabilites, become important chess pieces. If Ward can't go, that leaves Washington as the #2 WR for PIT and he has some talent, when called on.
No matter what happens, Warner's a shoe in....just because of his wife and her influence on his career. Heck, Brenda should be the first women in the Hall!
I don't know about the rest of the story, but the bolded is not true. While the son is mentally handicapped, it's not Down Syndrome and he has all of his limbs.I can confirm that Kurt adopted Brenda's kids and that she is older than him.She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not
taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet
her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis
thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a
paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Earth to Jayrod: paraplegic doesn't mean you are missing limbs. It means you can't move your legs.I don't know about the rest of the story, but the bolded is not true. While the son is mentally handicapped, it's not Down Syndrome and he has all of his limbs.I can confirm that Kurt adopted Brenda's kids and that she is older than him.She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not
taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet
her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis
thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a
paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Hmmm, that is an interest stat I hadn't thought of. I wonder if any other QB has been to the Super Bowl or NFL championship game with three different head coaches.moleculo said:another interesting nugget: KW has made it to the SB with three different head coaches.Pretty sure that's never been done before.
Off the top of my head, I know Montana, Elway, Aikman, and Morton (2 diff teams) did it with 2 different coaches, but I can't think of any with 3 in the SB era.Hmmm, that is an interest stat I hadn't thought of. I wonder if any other QB has been to the Super Bowl or NFL championship game with three different head coaches.moleculo said:another interesting nugget: KW has made it to the SB with three different head coaches.Pretty sure that's never been done before.
Of that list, I am inclined to dismiss Montana and Aikman. Siefert was Montana's 2nd coach he sure wasn't much of a change. Barry Switzer also didn't tinker much with Cowboys offense if memory serves me correctly.Off the top of my head, I know Montana, Elway, Aikman, and Morton (2 diff teams) did it with 2 different coaches, but I can't think of any with 3 in the SB era.Hmmm, that is an interest stat I hadn't thought of. I wonder if any other QB has been to the Super Bowl or NFL championship game with three different head coaches.moleculo said:another interesting nugget: KW has made it to the SB with three different head coaches.Pretty sure that's never been done before.
Then we should dismiss Martz, too.Of that list, I am inclined to dismiss Montana and Aikman. Siefert was Montana's 2nd coach he sure wasn't much of a change. Barry Switzer also didn't tinker much with Cowboys offense if memory serves me correctly.Off the top of my head, I know Montana, Elway, Aikman, and Morton (2 diff teams) did it with 2 different coaches, but I can't think of any with 3 in the SB era.Hmmm, that is an interest stat I hadn't thought of. I wonder if any other QB has been to the Super Bowl or NFL championship game with three different head coaches.moleculo said:another interesting nugget: KW has made it to the SB with three different head coaches.Pretty sure that's never been done before.
I totally agree.Then we should dismiss Martz, too.Of that list, I am inclined to dismiss Montana and Aikman. Siefert was Montana's 2nd coach he sure wasn't much of a change. Barry Switzer also didn't tinker much with Cowboys offense if memory serves me correctly.Off the top of my head, I know Montana, Elway, Aikman, and Morton (2 diff teams) did it with 2 different coaches, but I can't think of any with 3 in the SB era.Hmmm, that is an interest stat I hadn't thought of. I wonder if any other QB has been to the Super Bowl or NFL championship game with three different head coaches.another interesting nugget: KW has made it to the SB with three different head coaches.Pretty sure that's never been done before.
That is a surprising stat to me. Obviously this stat does not remotely indicate that any time KW starts 16 games his team is going to the SB...but it is surprising anyway, given the length of his career.On that same note, I believe the same is true with Rex Grossman....so take that for what it is worth.I'm a big Warner supporter when it comes to the HOF. I just realized a pretty interesting stat in regards to Warner. I haven't read this whole thread so I'm not sure if this has been mentioned her (or anywhere else).
Year: Games started
1998: 0
1999: 16
2000: 11
2001: 16
2002: 6
2003: 1
2004: 9
2005: 10
2006: 5
2007: 11
2008: 16
It's pretty interesting what two things those three bolded seasons have in common: 16 games and Super Bowls. Those are the only three years Warner was the team's starting QB for a full season and each season his team made the SB.
Tough loss, but Warner ended up with a huge game against the best D in the league... guy earned his spot IMO.He is now a LOCK, even if the defense lets the Steelers come down and win the game.
I think his performance helps, but a win and Super Bowl MVP would have clinched a HOF spot IMO. The fact that he threw a pick 6 on the goal line and fumbled away his team's last chance mitigates his performance a bit.Tough loss, but Warner ended up with a huge game against the best D in the league... guy earned his spot IMO.He is now a LOCK, even if the defense lets the Steelers come down and win the game.
I think his performance helps, but a win and Super Bowl MVP would have clinched a HOF spot IMO. The fact that he threw a pick 6 on the goal line and fumbled away his team's last chance mitigates his performance a bit.Tough loss, but Warner ended up with a huge game against the best D in the league... guy earned his spot IMO.He is now a LOCK, even if the defense lets the Steelers come down and win the game.
He torched the number 1 defense in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, overcoming an 13-point deficit, only to see his defense blow it. He is a lock.I think he'll probably make it, but it's not a foregone conclusion IMO.I think his performance helps, but a win and Super Bowl MVP would have clinched a HOF spot IMO. The fact that he threw a pick 6 on the goal line and fumbled away his team's last chance mitigates his performance a bit.Tough loss, but Warner ended up with a huge game against the best D in the league... guy earned his spot IMO.He is now a LOCK, even if the defense lets the Steelers come down and win the game.He torched the number 1 defense in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, overcoming an 13-point deficit, only to see his defense blow it. He is a lock.