Whisenhunt was Desperate to Keep Warner

[Hostile]

Whisenhunt offered Warner some special privileges to return 2/2/2010 3:11:11 PM

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reports Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt offered Kurt Warner some special privileges if that’s what it would take to keep him engaged and extend his career.

In other words, Warner could have gotten the Brett Favre treatment, enjoying some of the same exceptions that his fellow future Hall of Famer did with the Vikings this season.

“Basically, Coach Whisenhunt told me that if there’s anything you need to make this work, let me know,” Warner said. “He said, ‘I’m willing to adjust anything within reason to have you stay. If you need to take some time off, the whole offseason off, some of training camp, we’ll figure it out.’ A lot of times he would say it in passing, just sort of having some fun with me, but there was some truth in it.”

 

[Hoofbite]

Hell of a gig if you can get it.

 

[CowboyDan]

Michael Vick, meet your new coach.

Does this mean Boldin will be traded to the Eagles?

 

[Doomsday101]

Whisenhunt offered Warner some special privileges to return 2/2/2010 3:11:11 PM

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reports Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt offered Kurt Warner some special privileges if that’s what it would take to keep him engaged and extend his career.

In other words, Warner could have gotten the Brett Favre treatment, enjoying some of the same exceptions that his fellow future Hall of Famer did with the Vikings this season.

“Basically, Coach Whisenhunt told me that if there’s anything you need to make this work, let me know,” Warner said. “He said, ‘I’m willing to adjust anything within reason to have you stay. If you need to take some time off, the whole offseason off, some of training camp, we’ll figure it out.’ A lot of times he would say it in passing, just sort of having some fun with me, but there was some truth in it.”

You get the feeling he is not ready to go with Matt Leinart? Cards back to back division winner may have come to an end. It will be interesting to see if Leinart can step up and do the job

 

[Direwolf63]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Matt Leinart.

I wonder what he thinks of Wisenhunt's bending over before Warner.

 

[mldardy]

You get the feeling he is not ready to go with Matt Leinart? Cards back to back division winner may have come to an end. It will be interesting to see if Leinart can step up and do the job

With Leinart they can probably still win the division at 8-8 or something like that. Their only comp is the 49ers and they still need a qb.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Matt Leinart.

I wonder what he thinks of Wisenhunt's bending over before Warner.

no one cares what Leinart thinks.

VY is undefeated against Leinart yes?

 

[Doomsday101]

With Leinart they can probably still win the division at 8-8 or something like that. Their only comp is the 49ers and they still need a qb.

Maybe. I do think the field will start to catch up to the Cards who as you said could be looking at no more than 8-8.

 

[mldardy]

Maybe. I do think the field will start to catch up to the Cards who as you said could be looking at no more than 8-8.

I say that because the Rams and Seahawks still have a LOT of work to do. I don't know what the Cards schedule is next year but I assume it will be pretty tough after the teams in the NFC West, playing the 3 first place teams in the NFC at least.

 

[Doomsday101]

I say that because the Rams and Seahawks still have a LOT of work to do. I don't know what the Cards schedule is next year but I assume it will be pretty tough after the teams in the NFC West, playing the 3 first place teams in the NFC at least.

I agree. I just think the 9ers are currently an 8-8 team and should show improvement. Cards I think are being forced to take a step back so I would not be surprised to see the Cards fail to make the post season. Of course that depends on how Leinart does but losing the 26 TD passes is going to be difficult to overcome.

Face it the only way a team in that division gets into the playoffs will be by winning their division

 

[CF74]

Whisenhunt offered Warner some special privileges to return 2/2/2010 3:11:11 PM

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reports Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt offered Kurt Warner some special privileges if that’s what it would take to keep him engaged and extend his career.

In other words, Warner could have gotten the Brett Favre treatment, enjoying some of the same exceptions that his fellow future Hall of Famer did with the Vikings this season.

“Basically, Coach Whisenhunt told me that if there’s anything you need to make this work, let me know,” Warner said. “He said, ‘I’m willing to adjust anything within reason to have you stay. If you need to take some time off, the whole offseason off, some of training camp, we’ll figure it out.’ A lot of times he would say it in passing, just sort of having some fun with me, but there was some truth in it.”

I wonder if that includes Peyton Manning type privileges. ie calling his own plays..

 

[mldardy]

I agree. I just think the 9ers are currently an 8-8 team and should show improvement. Cards I think are being forced to take a step back so I would not be surprised to see the Cards fail to make the post season. Of course that depends on how Leinart does but losing the 26 TD passes is going to be difficult to overcome.

Face it the only way a team in that division gets into the playoffs will be by winning their division

Yeah I think the 49ers will be favored to win that division I suspect. They will have Crabtree for a full training camp with Davis and Gore that is some pretty good skill position players. Their defense is decent but they gotta figure out that qb situation. I guess they will give Smith one last shot but he is so inconsistent.

 

[Hostile]

You get the feeling he is not ready to go with Matt Leinart? Cards back to back division winner may have come to an end. It will be interesting to see if Leinart can step up and do the job

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Matt Leinart.

I wonder what he thinks of Wisenhunt's bending over before Warner.

My initial thoughts exactly.

 

[Hostile]

I wonder if that includes Peyton Manning type privileges. ie calling his own plays..

Why do you say that is a "privilege?" Most QBs haven't done that for years because Coaches (starting with Landry and Shula) took the responsibilities away. Manning is unique in that he studies and knows more than his own coaching staff.

That's not privilege, that's genius.

 

[CF74]

Why do you say that is a "privilege?" Most QBs haven't done that for years because Coaches (starting with Landry and Shula) took the responsibilities away. Manning is unique in that he studies and knows more than his own coaching staff.

That's not privilege, that's genius.

Well Kurt is a fiery guy and he is one of few that could pull it off. Not saying that is what he wants, I'm just curious if The Whizzinator will go that far to get him to come back.

And old vets that don't heal and recover as quickly as the younger guys should automatically get certain allotments for time off from practices and camps etc...

 

[big dog cowboy]

Without Warner, is this the weakest division in the history of the NFL?

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Without Warner, is this the weakest division in the history of the NFL?

They were already pretty weak and this sure doesn't help.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Whisenhunt offered Warner some special privileges to return 2/2/2010 3:11:11 PM

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reports Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt offered Kurt Warner some special privileges if that’s what it would take to keep him engaged and extend his career.

In other words, Warner could have gotten the Brett Favre treatment, enjoying some of the same exceptions that his fellow future Hall of Famer did with the Vikings this season.

“Basically, Coach Whisenhunt told me that if there’s anything you need to make this work, let me know,” Warner said. “He said, ‘I’m willing to adjust anything within reason to have you stay. If you need to take some time off, the whole offseason off, some of training camp, we’ll figure it out.’ A lot of times he would say it in passing, just sort of having some fun with me, but there was some truth in it.”

I cant believe Warner turned that down, the Cards basically just told him to show up a week before the season starts!!!!

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Matt Leinart.

I wonder what he thinks of Wisenhunt's bending over before Warner.

I don't think it as bad a sign for Leinart as some think and I have been skeptical of Leinart's ability to be the man since this was announced.

Warner is a HOF caliber QB that is still playing at a high level and this team is built to win now. He has a lot to do with them having the type of success that had previously eluded the Cards entirely in the Superbowl era. It will be hard to replace that in both talent and leadership, plus it will make the fans concerned that the team will start to fall back into that black hole that they were initially in before Warner became their starting QB.

Don't forget the pressure that will now be heaped upon Wisenhut. Was this team successful because of Wisenhut or because he had the right guy to pull the trigger? Can he coach the team to the promised land without Warner or will he go the route of Mike Shanahan after Elway retired?

Lot's of incentive there for Wisenhut to keep Warner if he could.

 

[burmafrd]

Heard warner talking today on Sirius. He flat out said that he was just worn out and beaten down and enough was enough. That guy ain't coming back no matter what and nothing Wisenhunt could have offered would have made any difference. The ANTI FAVRE.