This time last week many Cardinals fans were calling for Kurt Warner to be replaced after having a rough game against the Carolina Panthers. What a difference one game can make. Not only was Warner not replace he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing 5 touchdown passes in Chicago against the Bears.
I understand why everyone was calling for Leinart and putting a fork in Warner’s career after his 5 pick game. But fans are too impatient with their athletes. Warner did just lead the Cardinals to a Super Bowl and was an MVP candidate last season. Warner is and has always been as good as the pass protection he gets. When given time Kurt is still one of the best in the game, when he’s running for his life he looks like an old man that needs to retire. The emergence of an Arizona run game is and will continue to help Warner as the season goes on. I’m sure Warner may have another bad game along the way and everyone will call for him to hit the pine, but I also bet Kurt has multiple great games and leads the Cards to another playoff appearance. There will be times I’ll be frustrated with Warner in the final 8 games, but overall I bet I’ll be happy with his performance. Let’s all take a step back and look at the potential Warner gives Arizona as a quarterback and not panic and rush him out when he has a bad game.
On the flip side I’d also like to bring up Matt Leinart. Leinart was obviously the guy everyone was calling to replace Warner last week. Well the tides have turned not only because Kurt played great but because Matt through a pick in the 4th quarter. Leinart has been ripped apart all over the place for coming in and going 0-1 with a pick while his team had a 20 point lead. He did throw two weak passes but like we did with Warner, I think we are rushing our judgment on Matt. I’m not gonna let one bad pass in a blow out determine whether Leinart is the QB of the future or not. I don’t know if he is or isn’t but I don’t think we can tell yet.
The Cardinals like last year are a team riding a rollar coaster. They will have huge highs and extreme lows. I expect to be heart broken again at some point this year but I also expect to see some great moments. I think in the end we will see more great days from Kurt and the Cardinals than we will bad. So lets not panic and rush to judgement every time something bad happens.
