The Resurrection of Kurt Warner
Let's assume that Mort got this one right, which can be dangerous. The local Phoenix rags support the notion that Kurt Warner will be the man in Week 1.
Ken Whisenhunt is making a major statement here about Leinart. The coach wasn't around to draft him, and doesn't believe in him. Warner hasn't even played well in the preseason, and is bound to get hurt eventually. The Cardinals will need Leinart, but the Heisman winner is dangerously treading towards Alex Smith territory by getting benched.
Fantasy leaguers must now decide: How high is Kurt Warner's ceiling?
That answer is easy because it happened last season. After Warner took over in Week 7, he was the fifth-ranked fantasy quarterback, just in front of Tony Romo and three points behind Peyton Manning over that span.
It's unrealistic to expect such heights again. The Cardinals should run far more with an improved defense and better backfield depth. Warner also seems unlikely to stay upright for that long. As long as he plays, though, I think he's a borderline top-10 quarterback. He's a better fantasy option than real player because he'll rack up yards.
Our projections are over the whole season, and it's hard to stretch Warner into a top-10 guy over 16 games. But he was a true difference maker last year, when he played. That's ideal for your QB2 spot. If Warner is replaced, I can live with finding a new QB2 then. Leinart should be available.
Where would you guys draft Warner? Anyone draft yesterday? He went about 18th at quarterback in a 10-team draft I did.
Comments
Hey Gregg,
I live in Arizona and have been following the Leinart and Warner QB battle all preseason.
I noticed last week that you noted Leinart performance solidfied him as the starter, I couldn't of disagreed with you more. Warner has been by far the better QB since Day 1 of camp, the offense has a better tempo with him in the game and he has a better feel for the offense. Warner reminds me a lot of Favre, he is reading defense better then ever and will give the Cardinals the best chance to win this year.
Not only that from a fantasy perspective Fitzgerald and Boldin numbers should improve with Warner under center. I expect big numbers from Warner as long as he can stay healthy realizing that is a big if. But when he is in there he is definitely a top 10 fantasy QB!
Posted by: Brandon Bickler | August 25, 2008 11:18 AM
All Warner ever does is lead my Fantasy team to victories. I don't care than he's injured often or has an ugly wife or makes goofy decisions. If he plays, I win baby and that's all I need
Posted by: Tfram | August 25, 2008 12:32 PM
Maybe the 49ers and Cardinals can swap first-round bust quarterbacks. As a Niner fan, I was not happy when Leinart decided to stay in college another year, thus eliminating the chance San Francisco could draft him with the #1 pick. They settled for Smith and we all know the rest.
As for Warner, I actually think he'll post similar numbers to last year when he plays. He has great starting receivers and a young, developing tight end. The running game should be a little stronger if Hightower can contribute. And let's not forget they get to play San Francisco and St. Louis twice. I wouldn't want Warner as my only starter, but he'd be a great QB2 who could outperform your QB1 at times.
Posted by: DJOmaha | August 25, 2008 02:32 PM
Warner was about the 20th QB drafted (3rd round reverse)in my 12 team league which forbids stockpiling at any position. I took him and I'll play him when the matchups are advantageous. I could only get Bulger (just missed out on Gregg's boy Cutler, who was taken as a QB2 behind Hasselbeck by a team 5 slots in front of me) as my other QB, so I'll be mixing and matching for a while. He's better in fantasy than in real life - just ride the wave as long as possible. Even though I may have waited one round too long for a QB1, I still managed to get Barber, T. Jones, the resurrected J. Stewart and C. Perry as RBs, Colston, AJ, B. Marshall and Bowe as WRs, Winslow and Scheffler at TE and Minny defense, so not feeling too bad. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Bulger or Warner. Probably won't happen.
Posted by: John | August 25, 2008 04:11 PM
Auction style draft w/$260 cap:
Big Ben as my QB1 for $24 and then picked up Warner AND Leinhart for $3 each.
Good value!
Posted by: Mike | August 26, 2008 08:03 AM
He sucks
Posted by: Kurt Warners wife | August 26, 2008 10:26 PM
Warner went undrafted in my 12-team league yesterday, and I just added him (dropping Campbell) as my QB2 (behind Schaub), though I just might start him in Week 1 since I have him. I opted for Campbell over Warner in the draft because of Warner's uncertainty to start and his probability for injury. When he was named starter, I figured why not. As you say, I can always pick up a QB2 if he gets hurt.
Posted by: JP | September 1, 2008 12:26 AM