Warner's Agent Says Giants Not a Lock

[Hostile]

Giants: Warner agent says they aren't a lock to land QB
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
BY KIMBERLY JONES
Star-Ledger Staff
Kurt Warner's six-year career with the Rams is expected to end today, after the NFL's 4 p.m. close of business. His career with his next team, possibly the Giants, officially could begin as early as tomorrow.

As teams make their June 1 cuts, Warner, the two-time league MVP who has won one Super Bowl and lost another, will be among the most intriguing players to watch. His signing with the Giants is viewed by many around the league as a foregone conclusion, particularly because the union would appear equally beneficial to both parties.


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Not so fast, said Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein. He called that assumption "definitely jumping to conclusions" and said he had discussed "no specific offers" with any club. The Giants were the only team to court Warner publicly last month, though Bartelstein maintained that more expressed interest.

Bartelstein expects Warner's release from the Rams to come tonight and said a signing will follow "very quickly." Warner became expendable in St. Louis after the Rams made a commitment to his former backup, Mark Bulger.

The Giants' quarterback of the future is rookie first-rounder Eli Manning. But Warner, who will turn 33 in three weeks, could be the veteran they need to have a chance to win this season.

Given permission by the Rams to explore his options, Warner visited the Giants on May 10-11, a trip Bartelstein described as "great." Warner left Giants Stadium with the impression he would have a chance to win the starting job, thus providing a unique opportunity to revitalize his career.

Several Giants players would feel more comfortable having Warner as the starter for the Sept. 12 season opener in Philadelphia, provided he is healthy. And his arrival would help to soothe the uneasiness in the locker room left by last month's release of starter Kerry Collins, who was highly regarded among his teammates.

The biggest question about Warner is his health. In his only start last season, he fumbled six times at Giants Stadium, leading to speculation that a thumb injury and concussion history would perhaps end a distinguished career as remarkable for its quick rise as sudden fall. Warner was given a physical during his visit and deemed healthy by the Giants medical staff.

The Giants have two minicamps this month, with the first beginning Monday. Coach Tom Coughlin would prefer a veteran quarterback signed and in attendance.

An off-season that already has seen incredible turnover -- the Giants have added 17 veterans through free agency or waiver claims in the past three months -- will see that total increase. June 1 has become a significant date on the league calendar because the salary-cap hit for players released after that date is spread over two years rather than one.

The Giants are about $8.5 million under the $80.6 million salary cap. The rookie pool will sap $4.4 million. The rest could be used to sign Warner, a middle linebacker to compete with Nick Greisen and/or a right tackle.

The Giants are believed to have some interest in middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who will be released by the Redskins, though that interest is hardly unanimous. Trotter, 27, has a surgically repaired knee and has developed a reputation that some former coaches and teammates see as disruptive.

Seattle defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes is one of Trotter's former coaches, and the Seahawks, who could use help at his position, have said they are not interested in him.

Among the offensive tackles who could become available are Arizona's Anthony Clement, Tampa Bay's Kenyatta Walker and Atlanta's Todd Weiner.

The Giants have some flexibility because David Diehl, who played right guard last season as a rookie, could shift over. Diehl played tackle at the University of Illinois and has worked there at times this spring.

[Jimz31]

Warner......the only QB out there that I would want to bring in IF we HAD to bring another one in.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Warner......the only QB out there that I would want to bring in IF we HAD to bring another one in.

There's one other that would interest me, Trent Dilfer.

[Jimz31]

Originally Posted by Hostile

There's one other that would interest me, Trent Dilfer.

Ah yes.....Dilfer.....the ULTIMATE Bus Driver.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Ah yes.....Dilfer.....the ULTIMATE Bus Driver.

Good character guy, doesn't rock the boat, proven winner. I have always liked him.

[Lord Sun]

I'm... intrigued.

Warner has a lot left in his tank, and if he's of a mind to make some mookie, with an appropriate pay structure, so am I. He's a good guy, of course, and QC/Henson/Romo could learn from him perhaps even more readily than they could from Vinny.

Warner, after all, has won an SB, an MVP. If he's willing 2 take the proverbial pay cut & reduced role, AND if he expresses an interest, I think he makes the decision difficult for BP and JJ.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Lord Sun

I'm... intrigued.

Warner has a lot left in his tank, and if he's of a mind to make some mookie, with an appropriate pay structure, so am I. He's a good guy, of course, and QC/Henson/Romo could learn from him perhaps even more readily than they could from Vinny.

Warner, after all, has won an SB, an MVP. If he's willing 2 take the proverbial pay cut & reduced role, AND if he expresses an interest, I think he makes the decision difficult for BP and JJ.

I think he has interest in Dallas. I know his wife mentioend Dallas 3 different times on her radio show in St. Louis when talking about options for him.

I also heard that at a Christian event he attended he was answering questions. Someone asked him where he wanted to play in 2004. He answered, "I like stars."

I am very hopeful.

[Lord Sun]

Interesting.

This could be a major spanner in the works for the pro-Vinny campers, but it's a move I think that would be good for the Cowboys.

The only negative, in my mind, is that Kurt and his wife are a bit chirpy, with very strong personalities that extend waaay off the field.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Lord Sun

Interesting.

This could be a major spanner in the works for the pro-Vinny campers, but it's a move I think that would be good for the Cowboys.

The only negative, in my mind, is that Kurt and his wife are a bit chirpy, with very strong personalities that extend waaay off the field.

Keyshawn Johnson makes them look like deaf mutes.

[Lord Sun]

Browns Not Ready to Release Couch

Cleveland apparently won't release quarterback Tim Couch any time soon. The Browns were reluctant to trade wide receiver Dennis Northcutt to Baltimore earlier in the offseason, and they probably won't make Couch available to their AFC North rivals at a time when the Ravens are searching for a backup quarterback. Green Bay remains interested in trading for the former top overall draft choice but might wait to see if the Browns release Couch closer to the season. . . .

Many in the league regard New England as the front-runner, ahead of Dallas, to sign quarterback Vinny Testaverde after his expected release by the New York Jets. . . . The Cowboys seem interested in trading for Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie but probably wouldn't surrender more than a second-round draft choice. Green Bay has been seeking a first-round selection and another pick. . . . Carolina could add to the list of available quarterbacks by releasing veteran Rodney Peete. . . . The Giants are about $8.5 million under the salary cap and likely will be shopping for a middle linebacker and an offensive tackle as well as their backup quarterback. One linebacker possibility is Jeremiah Trotter, about to be released by the Washington Redskins. . . . The Packers probably will release defensive end Joe Johnson quickly, saving $4 million in salary cap space.


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