If I was an NFL GM and you told me that I could start my franchise and pick one wide receiver in the NFL, I would take Larry Fitzgerald.Fitz has it all.He’s got great size, great hands, excellent speed, great leaping ability, the knack for making the big play and has a great attitude.In the NFL nowadays, whether it is fair or unfair, a number of guys at the wide receiver position have been labeled as divas. Fitzgerald is far from that. While other guys are doing the jig in the end zone, which can be very funny at times, Fitz is throwing the ball to the official.When other wide receivers are complaining about not getting thrown the ball enough, you won’t hear a peep from Fitz.Even though it has been a year since last year’s playoffs I still remember how in awe I was of what Larry Fitzgerald was able to do for the Cardinals.He couldn’t be covered.It certainly helped to have Anquan Bolding opposite him, Steve Breaston in the slot and Kurt Warner at the top of his game, but Fitz put together one of the greatest postseason runs I can remember.I always knew that he was a great receiver.I always knew that his stats were up there with the best of them, but in the postseason last year he was incredible. When it comes to any sport, players make a name for themselves in the playoffs and that’s when Larry Fitzgerald positioned himself as the best receiver in the NFL.
Larry Fitzgerald joined Mully and Hanley on 670 the Score in Chicago to talk about how he feels a year later after the Super Bowl loss, the retirement of Kurt Warner and who he likes in Super Bowl XLIV
On the memories from last year’s playoff run:
“It was great memories, but it’s still a little marred.I woulda loved to be able to get a championship ring.I woulda took all those personal accolades and threw them out the window to get that ring.To be that close to having that championship it still kinda hurts in your gut.I remember all the good things; just the amazing play of Kurt Warner and the rest of our team.”
On the importance of having a good quarterback:
“There’s a lot of truth to that statement.I don’t care who you are.If you don’t have a guy that can throw you the football it’s gonna be a long day at the office.Since Kurt Warner has been here in Arizona, he’s really helped me.Not only on the field but off the field to nurture me and push me to be a really good receiver.He always stays on me to become better.I think Jay (Cutler) is gonna help those guys.With Mike Martz coming in there, with that offense, I think they’re really going to be potent.They’re really gonna be a team to be reckoned with next year.”
On the decision that Kurt Warner made to retire:
“Yeah, it’s gonna be interesting to see.Kurt’s done a fantastic job throughout his career playing football at an extremely high level.Now the young guy, Matt Leinart, gets an opportunity and now everybody around him will have to pull and do a little bit more to help his transition to be that much easier.”
On whether or not he knew Warner was going to call it quits:
“Oh yea.Me and Kurt are very close.We talk all the time and I just knew it was getting to him in terms of the preparation.He’s 38, he has a lot of family, seven kids and a wife, and there are some other things that he’s interested in doing off the field so I’m happy that’s he’s happy.We’re gonna try and move forward and do the best we can.”
On the play of the Saints defense and whether or not it can be classified as dirty:
“No, it’s football.If we were talking about a couple years back before they called a lot of rules to protect the quarterback, that was football every week in the NFL.They just have an old-fashioned way to play, they get after the quarterback.You gotta disrupt the timing and I think you’ve seen them do a good job and it’s been effective.”
On who he thinks will win the Super Bowl this year:
“I gotta go with the Colts.You can’t go against Peyton Manning.He’s incredible and whenever he steps on the field, his team has an opportunity to go out there and be victorious.”
If I was an NFL GM and you told me that I could start my franchise and pick one wide receiver in the NFL, I would take Larry Fitzgerald.Fitz has it all.He’s got great size, great hands, excellent speed, great leaping ability, the knack for making the big play and has a great attitude.In the NFL nowadays, whether it is fair or unfair, a number of guys at the wide receiver position have been labeled as divas. Fitzgerald is far from that. While other guys are doing the jig in the end zone, which can be very funny at times, Fitz is throwing the ball to the official.When other wide receivers are complaining about not getting thrown the ball enough, you won’t hear a peep from Fitz.Even though it has been a year since last year’s playoffs I still remember how in awe I was of what Larry Fitzgerald was able to do for the Cardinals.He couldn’t be covered.It certainly helped to have Anquan Bolding opposite him, Steve Breaston in the slot and Kurt Warner at the top of his game, but Fitz put together one of the greatest postseason runs I can remember.I always knew that he was a great receiver.I always knew that his stats were up there with the best of them, but in the postseason last year he was incredible. When it comes to any sport, players make a name for themselves in the playoffs and that’s when Larry Fitzgerald positioned himself as the best receiver in the NFL.
Larry Fitzgerald joined Mully and Hanley on 670 the Score in Chicago to talk about how he feels a year later after the Super Bowl loss, the retirement of Kurt Warner and who he likes in Super Bowl XLIV
On the memories from last year’s playoff run:
“It was great memories, but it’s still a little marred.I woulda loved to be able to get a championship ring.I woulda took all those personal accolades and threw them out the window to get that ring.To be that close to having that championship it still kinda hurts in your gut.I remember all the good things; just the amazing play of Kurt Warner and the rest of our team.”
On the importance of having a good quarterback:
“There’s a lot of truth to that statement.I don’t care who you are.If you don’t have a guy that can throw you the football it’s gonna be a long day at the office.Since Kurt Warner has been here in Arizona, he’s really helped me.Not only on the field but off the field to nurture me and push me to be a really good receiver.He always stays on me to become better.I think Jay (Cutler) is gonna help those guys.With Mike Martz coming in there, with that offense, I think they’re really going to be potent.They’re really gonna be a team to be reckoned with next year.”
On the decision that Kurt Warner made to retire:
“Yeah, it’s gonna be interesting to see.Kurt’s done a fantastic job throughout his career playing football at an extremely high level.Now the young guy, Matt Leinart, gets an opportunity and now everybody around him will have to pull and do a little bit more to help his transition to be that much easier.”
On whether or not he knew Warner was going to call it quits:
“Oh yea.Me and Kurt are very close.We talk all the time and I just knew it was getting to him in terms of the preparation.He’s 38, he has a lot of family, seven kids and a wife, and there are some other things that he’s interested in doing off the field so I’m happy that’s he’s happy.We’re gonna try and move forward and do the best we can.”
On the play of the Saints defense and whether or not it can be classified as dirty:
“No, it’s football.If we were talking about a couple years back before they called a lot of rules to protect the quarterback, that was football every week in the NFL.They just have an old-fashioned way to play, they get after the quarterback.You gotta disrupt the timing and I think you’ve seen them do a good job and it’s been effective.”
On who he thinks will win the Super Bowl this year:
“I gotta go with the Colts.You can’t go against Peyton Manning.He’s incredible and whenever he steps on the field, his team has an opportunity to go out there and be victorious.”
The Phoenix Suns started the season at 14-3 and were one of the best teams in the NBA early on.People had high expectations for the Suns at that point.Amar’e Stoudemire was healthy and playing great and Steve Nash looked like he had regained his MVP form.However, since that time, the Suns have dropped off significantly and are currently clinging to the seventh seed in the playoff picture in the Western Conference.With their recent struggles now there’s talk about the Suns once again rebuilding by trading away their most valuable commodity, Amar’e Stoudemire.
Stoudemire is once again an All Star in the Western Conference and looks healthy for the first time in a couple of years.However, with his impending free agency in 2010, the Suns may not be able to keep STAT long term.In the off-season, the Suns traded away Shaquille O’Neal to try and clear some cap room and look toward the future.Now that we are halfway through the season and with Amar’e Stoudemire set to hit free agency in the off-season, it’s time for the Suns to make another move that will benefit them in the future before they let one of their best players leaves the Valley and the Suns get nothing for him.
Charles Barkley joined XTRA 910 in Phoenix with Bickley and MJ to talk about the retirement of Kurt Warner, what he expects Brett Favre to do, why the Suns should trade Amar’e Stoudemire, and whether or not he would like to take over for Steve Kerr if he steps down in Phoenix.
On the retirement of Kurt Warner:
“I think it’s different for him.He has something still left in the tank.I retired ‘cause I couldn’t jump over a jelly-glazed donut.I’m not gonna put him in the same sentence as Jim Brown, but there are very few athletes that are retired with anything left in the tank so God bless Kurt.”
On Warner walking away from an 11 million dollar contract:
“Yeah but as much money as he’s got, that’s all Monopoly money.Most guys today, God bless them, I’m not hating on them, they make so much money today.11 million dollars, that’s only like 5 million dollars after taxes.He’s not gonna miss that.”
On whether or not it’s time for Brett Favre to retire:
“I think it is.I think that, to me is like a boxer when you take a serious beating and you’re all right after the fight to a certain degree but then it comes back and gets you in the long run.He was brutalized that game.Clearly the older you get, the more those beatings effect your body in the long haul.Cleary he wanted to stick it to the Packers and it kinda worked out 50/50 for both teams.He had a great year and the Packers got the last laugh.I hate to see any of my guys – when I say any of my guys – anybody that plays sports is a part of my family.I hate to see any of my guys have repercussions in the future.”
On what the Suns should do about Amar’e Stoudemire:
“The Amar’e situation.Amar’e is a very good player, but to me it’s a no brainer as far as trading him.He’s got an option for 17 million, he wants the max which will probably be 100 and something million, the Suns are not a legitimate contender and he’s a valuable piece.They’ve got to start rebuilding for the future.The thing that makes me laugh and I’ve been on this question for the last couple of weeks – people are acting like they’re breaking up the ’96 Bulls.That team won six championships and Michael (Jordan) has said he’s really bitter.They probably could’ve won another couple of championships.But the Suns haven’t made it past the first round of the playoffs in awhile.It’s just funny how fans are like oh we can’t do this.I’m like why can’t you do it?It’s like a no-brainer.”
On whether or not he would like the job in Phoenix if Steve Kerr steps down:
“No, I don’t want the job.First it’s a job that’s gonna take three or four years.Like you said they don’t have a number one draft pick next year so that definitely screws them.And it depends on what they can get for Amar’e.People aren’t going to go crazy over Amar’e because he can walk away from his contract.They’re just gonna have to make the best deal possible and go for it.It’s not like they’re winning.At this point, they’re clearly trying to shave salary.The sooner they can get started building toward the future, the better.”
It’s official. Kurt Warner has retired from professional football after 12 mostly dazzling seasons. You know his story by now - from bagging groceries to leading the Greatest Show On Turf to doing the unthinkable and guiding the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl. He’s done it with class and humility the whole time.
Warner joined KTAR in Phoenixwith Gambo & Ash on Friday just moments after his announcement to talk about his decision, why he made it, what prompted him to sign with Arizona after his failed stint in New York, and why he never really considered extending his career a few years longer as a backup somewhere.
On how Gambo & Ash had been honored to cover him as media members and privileged to watch him strictly as fans of the game:
“Well thank you very much. I was extremely proud of my career and what I was able to do on and off the football field. But I know my life isn’t done - just because I’m walking away from the actual game, that there’s still going to be great opportunities for me moving forward. And I look forward to that. I just felt it was the right time. I know there were a lot of things that could point one way or the other; could bring me in one direction or another that people could make arguments for, but I think this decision always comes down to a personal decision. And knowing it’s the right time, knowing what you’re still willing to commit to the game, and that was the deciding factor for me - I don’t know if I could continue to give at the same level that I’ve given over the last 12 years. And I didn’t want to come back and do it any other way. And that’s when I started to think about, or highly consider, retiring. All that stuff was just confirmed as I got away from the game a little bit and started thinking what could be next for me and time with my family. So the decision was actually a pretty easy decision, and the factors were more internal than they were external.”
On what it was that appealed to him when he decided to come to Arizona several years ago and on if it was an easy decision considering the organization’s lack of success prior to his arrival:
“Well I mean the biggest part of it was there wasn’t anybody else who wanted me. Or at least in the position that Arizona was willing to give me. They wanted to bring me here as a starting quarterback. And there really wasn’t anyone else out there that was willing to give me that same opportunity. So that was number one. And number two was as a competitor and as a player, and all the things that go in o that, you truly believe that everywhere you go you can turn the tides on whatever’s going on there. You know, you can flip the switch and help that organization get to a place they’ve never gone before. And that’s truly what I felt when I came here - it’s that if they were going to give me an opportunity to play that I could bring something to the table that no on else could. It was kind of as they say, a match made in heaven, in that as an organization that never had had any success; they’re bringing in a guy that numerous times in my life as been said, ‘he can’t do this, he can’t do that, he doesn’t have anything left or he can’t play at this particular level.’ So together, we were able to accomplish some things that nobody expected us to. And that’s been the greatest part of this whole process. When I came here, I didn’t know what to expect, but I believed I could make a difference. And they continued to bring other pieces in that believed the same thing. And together we’ve done something that this organization has never really seen before, that nobody around the country expected out of us. That’s something I’m extremely proud of.”
On if he ever considered finishing his career as a backup:
“Never. The only time that I considered it was after I’d come here and played in the first year, and then in the second year they eventually benched me for Matt. That was the first time in my career that I started to consider the other side of it - whether I wanted to retire at that point where it was probably too late to get another opportunity. Or did I want to take on a backup role and continue to play the game, and continue to have some of the benefits that come with it, but do it in another capacity. I think that would have been really, really hard for me to do. I was willing to do it because I was under contract. So that next year, that following year (Matt’s second year), when he came in as a starter, I was willing to kind of see if I could do that. And I realized very quickly that I don’t know if I could have made a career out of being a backup because it was too hard for me on a daily basis to go out to practice, to go through the motions and not have the opportunity to play on Sundays. But obviously to my benefit, they brought in Coach Whisenhunt, and Coach Whiz there Week 4 or 5 or whatever it was, started bringing me in and giving me an opportunity to play - even in a backup role, which was unique, which was special - which made it a lot more fun and a lot more doable for me. And then with Matt’s injury and getting an opportunity to play again, and then Coach opening up the opportunity to possibly start the next year - those were all key ingredients to my career lasting these last three years, to letting me have the success and do some of the things that we’ve done here. So that was the only time I considered being a backup or taking on that role. Because every other time I believed I was a starter, I could be a starter, I could change and be a difference maker on any team. You know, fortunately I got another opportunity to do that here in Arizona.”
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The wait is on to see if Kurt Warner will retire from the NFL this off-season or if he’ll return in 2010 to lead the Arizona Cardinals once more. His decision will have major implications for the entire organization of course, but the man who’s probably most eager to find out what his future holds is Matt Leinart.
Leinart joined Gambo & Ash on KTAR in Phoenix to talk about his former coach Pete Carroll joining the NFL in Seattle, his individual development this past season, if he has any knowledge about which way Kurt Warner is leaning with his retirement decision, how he knows he’s capable of playing at a high level if given the chance, and how he plans to work harder than ever this offseason in case he does get the nod at QB next year in Arizona.
On his former college coach Pete Carroll joining the NFL ranks once more and if he was shocked by the development:
“I was shocked only because I just thought it was kind of out of nowhere. I personally thought because we have a great relationship that he would end up in the NFL at one point just because he’s so competitive. I think in college he was - I wouldn’t say he was getting bored, he’s just a very competitive guy. SO I wasn’t shocked, I just hadn’t heard his name in the NFL in a couple of years so I didn’t really think much of it, but I’m excited for him. You know, Pete and I have had a great relationship all the way through college and since I’ve graduated. So it’s going to be fun, I think he’s going to bring success there. I mean it’s a good organization, they’ve won in the past. I think it’s going to be a perfect situation for him.”
On how he would assess his season from an individual standpoint and if he felt he improved:
“I feel, I really do feel I got a lot better. I think that Tennessee game was great. I mean, we didn’t win and I would have liked to score more points or whatever. I think given the circumstances, it was an important game for me, you know, okay, I can play. It’s just been so up and down the last couple of years; I’ve just been sitting and it’s so hard for me personally because I’m so competitive, and I have that starter’s mentality where I know I can play if have that opportunity week in and week out to be the starter, be the guy. But then on the other hand, I’m kind of okay Kurt Warner, he’s a great quarterback, he’s a Hall of Fame guy. I’ve learned so much from him, I really have, and it’s been a great situation but it’s to the point where I just want to play and I know what I’m capable of doing if I’m given the opportunity. So I do think it was a great year, you just keep learning. You keep learning another year in the offense. I think the good thing is with Kurt, our offense is not real complex, but there’s a lot of stuff, there’s a lot of plays, there’s a lot of things that we do. And I feel like I’ve been able to grasp that and I think that will only help me in the future.”
On if he has any inclination which way Kurt Warner is leaning with his retirement decision:
“I mean I don’t know. I’ve talked to Kurt a little bit about it. It’s a lot like last year where it’s kind of leaning both ways. And I truly thought last year that he was going to come back for this year or whatever, but a lot of people thought he was going to retire so personally, I just can’t, I won’t…until he makes a decision I’m just going to enjoy my off-season and spend time with my family. But I do, depending on his decision, it’s definitely going to impact my future. I do know that obviously.”
On if he plans to work harder than ever this off-season knowing he may be the starter next season:
“I’ve already talked to the people I work out with here in California. But I’ve always said, I’m just a humble guy, I just continue to work hard, but I feel I work as hard as anybody in the off-season to get ready with the stuff I do. Growing up I always said nobody is going to outwork me. If they’re better than me, they’re better than me; if they’re smarter than me, they’re smarter than me. But physically and to be conditioned going in to the season, I always just felt I was going to work my butt off always, no matter what. And given the uniqueness of this off-season, with me potentially going in as the starter, which I feel 120 % confident that I can go in there and play at a high level like Kurt. I know I’m not Kurt obviously, but I know I can go in there and play. So I’m excited, I’m excited bout this off-season. I know there’s a lot of doubters out there, I know there’s a lot of guys who say this, but I just use that as motivation. I’m excited about the off-season, but we’ll just see what happens. Like I said, I’m just enjoying this time. It’s a long season and I’m just trying to sit back, relax a little bit, get some workouts in here and there then start back up next week.”
The Phoenix Suns are not playing good basketball right now.Before Wednesday’s win against the worst team in the league, the New Jersey Nets, they had lost four in a row.During that four game stretch, they were not playing defense and were not playing team basketball.I guess it is kind of hard to play as a team when the coach has changed two fifths of the starting lineup.Jason Richardson, who had to sit out for a suspension, was benched in place of Leandro Barbosa and Channing Frye has been benched in place of Robin Lopez.I understand Lopez starting but Jason Richardson coming off the bench?I mean come on.He should be starting no matter what.Barbosa plays so much better off the bench and gives the team a jolt of energy when he comes in. At the beginning of the season, Gentry seemed firmly in command, knowing what game plan the team needed to execute to win games.Now, he seems hesitant and to have lost a handle on his players and his game plan.Alvin Gentry needs to get a hold of this team or else he will be out of there.
Alvin Gentry joined KTAR in Phoenixwith Gambo and Ashto talk about having two starters from his team starting on the All-Star team, the play of Robin Lopez and the way he has played offensively, the rumors that are going to be thrown around regarding an Amar’e Stoudemire trade and whether he has to keep his players from thinking about that, and having four guys struggling at the same time.
On having two starters from his team starting on the All-Star team:
“No it is not bad at all but what does that say though?I think it saved the league a real embarrassing situation.For a guy that has played forty-seven minutes obviously not deserving of that.Steve is not one that is going to ever say anything about that but I think it would have been embarrassing for everybody in the league and Tracy included for him to be voted an All-Star starter.”
On the play of Robin Lopez and the way he has played offensively:
“Gambo, you are exactly right.I think he has even surprised us.I think Bill Cartwright makes a good point and so does Dan, if you play with Steve Nash, he can get you some easy baskets and I think once he gets you some easy baskets then obviously your confidence is going to be up.He has been terrific for us.He has given us that kind of presence in there.He had twelve blocked shots in a three game stretch but even more so than that I think he even changed another twelve shots.So he gives us a presence that we haven’t had in there and I think he will just continue to get even better.He really will.”
At what point he started to think about not playing Channing Frye and Amar’e at the same time:
“Well I mean really after the Indiana game.We just said that our offense has always been pretty significant and what he have to do is be able to guard some and we just hadn’t been able to do that.Come up with stops.If you got a twenty-four point lead it is OK for teams to make a run at you but if they make a run at you, you should end up with a twelve or fourteen point lead not a one-point lead and then eventually lose that game.I just thought that we needed to be a little bit more defensive-oriented.Obviously, we were going to try Robin and I still think that there will be a lot of bumps in the road guys but the only way guys get better is to throw them in game situations.We did that with Goran [Dragic] last year and you know there is growing pins but I think over the long haul it will help him to become a really good player and a complete player really.”
On the play of Jason Richardson and the way he played against the Nets and how that is expected for a good player to look good against a bad team:
“Well it is and I totally understand his frustration, I really do.The one thing that I try to do guys is that I always try to put myself in the players’ seat and then if a coach comes to me and says that I am not starting, obviously I would be disappointed and probably a little angry about it too.He has handled it great.He has been really terrific.The thing that I tried to emphasize to him is that his minutes would not be affected.We just thought that putting L.B. [Leandro Barbosa] out there that might give him a little jolt and get him going too because we have kind of struggled at that position a little bit.J. Rich stepped up and played great.We will try it a few more times and see if we can get Leandro going and if not maybe we will go back to the starting lineup that we had anyway with J. Rich in there.Obviously Robin has played well enough that he is probably going to continue to start and we just got to get Channing back on track as far as being a player off of our bench being productive.”
On the rumors that are going to be thrown around regarding an Amar’e Stoudemire trade and whether he has to keep his players from thinking about that:
“Yeah we do and I will tell you I think guys that Amar’e has handled it beautifully.Those rumors were out there at the start of the season and they are always going to be out there.Obviously when you have an opportunity to opt out of a contract and he is a terrific player.As I told him, there is not one thing that he can do about it.The only thing he can do is to continue to play at a real high level and whatever is going to happen is going to happen anyway so it is not something that he should be real concerned about.I just think he will continue to play and as you say, we have no control over that so we will see what happens. At this point right now, he has got to just focus at the task at hand and that is the Chicago game, the GoldenState game and then go from there.”
One week after the highest scoring affair in playoff history, expectations were high when the Arizona Cardinals traveled to the Louisiana Superdome last Saturday to take on the most potent passing team in the league, the New Orleans Saints.It didn’t take long for the Saints to blow the doors off the Cardinals as they put up 35 points in the first half.The game was really over before it started.The Cardinals just ran out of gas after their crazy win over the Packers.The Saints on the other hand, had the previous week off and were chomping at the bit to get back on the field to start their journey to Miami.
Even though the Cardinals didn’t make it back to the Super Bowl, this season was still a success.They won ten games, a second consecutive NFC West division title, and a first round playoff game.Their 10-6 regular season record was their best record since 1976 and the first time they won back-to-back division titles in almost 35 years.The one uncertain for the Cardinals this off-season is whether Kurt Warner is going to stick around for another year.If he decides to retire, Matt Leinart will take over as the starter and they will have to tweak their offense a little bit and maybe run the ball a little bit more.They might also want to overhaul their defense a little bit as it was evident towards the end of the season that they couldn’t stop anyone.
Adrian Wilson joined XTRA 910 in Phoenix with Bickley and MJ to talk about what he thinks the team has to improve to get to the next step moving forward, whether the time the Saints had to prepare for them had any effect on the game, whether he thinks the team used up all the energy in the second half of the Packers game, and whom he gives the edge to in the NFC Championship game.
On what he thinks the team has to improve to get to the next step moving forward:
“To be honest with you I think that we grew as a team.It comes out to the little things in the playoffs and that is just something that we learned this year not so much last year because we had such a great run last year.We went to the Super Bowl and all of that other stuff.This past year it was a learning experience because we took some things that we learned from the previous year and we applied them during the season and when the playoffs got there we just kind of ran out of gas.A lot of those little things that hurt us were things that we could control and we just couldn’t finish it out.We look back on it and we had a great season and we had a great run.You can’t take anything away from what we did during the season.We won ten games.We did some things here for the first time that hasn’t been done here.We really appreciate all of the fans and everybody in sports.”
Whether the time the Saints had to prepare for them had any effect on the game:
“You can say a lot of things that played into that.Obviously those guys are ready.They brought an energy to the field that we kind of brought to Green Bay during the first half.It was an energy that we couldn’t withstand.In that first half we couldn’t withstand that surge.Those guys put up thirty-five on us in the first half.Defensively, we didn’t do what we needed to do defensively to even remotely give our offense a chance.Like I said, those guys brought an energy that we couldn’t match.I am not saying that they are a better team than us because I still think that we are the better team but those guys, like you said, those guys had a week to rest.They just came out with an energy and we couldn’t match that energy.”
Whether he thinks the team used up all the energy in the second half of the Packers game:
“There is a lot of things that you can say…They are the number one seed in the NFC, deservedly so, those guys were waiting on us and like I said they just came out with an energy that we couldn’t match.Regardless of what we did the previous week, I just think those guys jumped on us from the beginning and with the injuries that we had in the secondary, those guys were able to do some things to us formation-wise to dictate what they were able to do.We didn’t have an answer to it because of injuries.So we did the best we could with what we had.We had some young guys come in and play.Greg Toler came in and did a good job for us…They were just the better team that day.”
On the Saints continuing to pass the ball after Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both went out with injuries:
“That is just good coaching.That is just something that any coach would do.Whenever you lose quality starters and have to bring young guys in, guys that haven’t played, guys that haven’t been in that type of situation or even that type of atmosphere.Whenever those guys come in it was obvious that the coaches were going to attack them.We did everything we could to help them but at the end of the day those guys have to be men and stand up to the challenge.Those guys for the most part did a great job.They got us on the flea-flicker because they were running so much.So much press, so much run-play they hit us with a flea-flicker.It was a good call.Like I said, they was a better team.We take our hats off to them and we will be back next year.”
On whom he gives the edge to in the NFC Championship game:
“It depends on how the Saints are going to protect Drew Brees.The Vikings, they obviously have a fierce pass rush.They are able to drop seven guys into coverage and rush four.Whenever you are playing an elite quarterback that is what you got to have.You have got to have the ability to drop all of your guys into coverage and be able to rush the passer with four guys.That is something Minnesota can do and they also can control the clock.In saying that I would pick Minnesota but I just think right now the Saints are clicking on all cylinders.Even though I think their defense gave up some yardage to us they didn’t give up a lot of points.That is just something that you can respect.”
Back to back trips to the Super Bowl wasn’t in the cards for the Arizona Cardinals. Their run in 2009 came to an end last Saturday in the Superdome after New Orleans had finished giving them a thorough shellacking in all three phases of the game. Being that the Cardinals were defending NFC Champs this year, I imagine they perceive the 2009 season as a disappointment. But when you look at the progress the franchise has made since Ken Whisenhunt was lured away from Pittsburgh in 2007, it’s hard to be anything short of impressed with the success he’s had in the desert with the previously moribund franchise. Now the question in Arizona turns to whether or not Kurt Warner will return to quarterback the team in 2010.
Coach Whisenhunt joined KTAR in Phoenix with Doug and Wolf to talk about the end of the season, what’s in store for the Cards moving forward, and why he’s not going to pressure Kurt Warner as he makes his decision about whether or not to return to the Cardinals in 2010.
On the season as a whole for the Cardinals:
“I’m very pleased with what our team did this year. Obviously we’re disappointed we’re not continuing to play but I’m excited about the progress we made as a team when nobody thought we could do it. As history shows, it’s tough to get back to the playoffs after being in a Super Bowl, and for that I’m proud of our players and our fans - our fans were great to us this year too.”
On what he would pinpoint as the one or two main things that led to the demise of the Cards against the Saints:
“Well obviously I think the turnover hurt us - the second possession. You know we went 70 yards for a touchdown the first play; the second play we had a 30 yard gain, it could have easily broken out of there and gone much like the Super Bowl - it was the same kind of situation. It was a Cover 2, the safeties were playing outside; Jerheme (Urban) caught it and had a chance to split it and when the ball came out, that deflated us a little bit. And then the next critical thing was when we lost Antrel (Rolle) and when we lost Dominque (Rodgers-Cromartie). Now we’re really thin at numbers in the secondary, we’re having to play with guys and they exploited the match-ups. They attacked us and we couldn’t stop them; and that put a lot of pressure on us to try to get something going offensively and we continued to make mistakes, we had another turnover. I think at one point in the game, that long drive where we came down and scored and cut it one score - I thought okay, we’re back in it, we’ve got a chance. And then you know, they played well, you have to give them credit, they put points up, we made mistakes and it was just hard to get back in to it.”
On the play of the Cardinals defense this playoff - they gave up a record 90 points in just two games of action:
“It was ugly, it wasn’t very good. We’re certainly not happy that we gave up that many points in the playoffs. It’s disappointing and that’s one of the areas that we’re going to look as far as the off-season goes. I think as a body of work like I said - I know that’s kind of a cliche - but over the season we made improvements with our defense. We were much better with our red zone defense, we were much better on 3rd down; one of the areas we’ve really got to work on is our pass defense. When we’ve gone against the premier passing teams in the league like Green Bay, like New Orleans, even if you think back to Indianapolis - we didn’t do well enough, we didn’t do a good enough job. And I think it’s not so much about match-ups as it is how we’re playing our coverages and tightening those things up. So that’s an area we’ve really got to focus on improving and we’re certainly going to do that. Because if we can clean that up, I feel very good about where we are.”
On if he’ll be in conversations with Kurt about his decision and if there’s a deadline that he needs to know by for the well being of the organization:
“I don’t think there needs to be a deadline, but we all know what kind of person Kurt is, and we all know he’s very intelligent and grounded and he’ll go through this process. He’ll evaluate what’s best for him, for his family and he’ll make that decision. So I’m not really pressured or feel any sense of urgency to find out what his timeline is. We have a lot of things we have to do as an organization as far as evaluating our team, evaluating the college players that are coming out, getting ready for a number of things. And this period for the next couple of months - you don’t really know what’s going to happen. There’s going to be changes with our team, trying to prepare for those things. So you give him your space. Kurt and I will be in contact. I mean, that’s not going to be an issue, it’s just going to be you don’t want to push him, you don’t want to rush him. But once again, the type of guy that Kurt is, he’s not going to draw it out for a month, two months. He’ll make his decision and that’s what he’ll stick with.”
On if he has a gut feeling about whether or not Warner will return next year:
“I don’t. I saw the passion from Kurt, I saw him play at a high level this year. But I also saw a side of him that was tough - in Tennessee when he couldn’t play because he was feeling the effects of the concussion. And the times after the Monday night game against San Francisco where we had so many turnovers. You know, just frustration from that standpoint. I know that Kurt was very excited about a lot of the things we did offensively. I think he’s excited about the way some of our younger players have stepped up, the way our running game has improved. He knows we have a chance to be very good offensively as we go forward, and I think he knows our team has a chance to be very good. So all those factors you hope weigh in on the favor of coming back, but I think one of the things that you touched on with Kurt is, he still has a belief that he can play at this level in this league. And that’s what drives him. And I don’t know if it’s something he looks at long term. I’m sure it’s just one year at a time and that’s the way he’s taking it. He’s going to take it all in and make that decision. And once again, I feel very blessed that we as a football team that we’ve had the 2 1/2, almost 3 years that we’ve gotten out of Kurt. Because of the way he’s played, because nobody thought he could play at that level again. And certainly you hope that’d he’d come back for another one because we’re just so excited about where we’re going as a team.’
There are rumors abound concerning Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and whether or not he plans to retire following the conclusion of his team’s playoff run this year. ESPN ran a story claiming that Warner intends to retire at the end of this year, but could change his mind. Anyway, I don’t think any of us football fans expect Warner to pull a Brett Favre and vacillate about his future once he publicly states his decision. So we’ll just wait and see. For now, it’s time to enjoy what the veteran quarterback is doing out there at the age of 38. In Sunday’s thrilling 51-45 Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, Warner was simply outstanding - perhaps as good as he’s ever been before in his likely Hall of Fame worthy career. He finished the game 29 of 33 for 379 yards, 5 TDs and 0 INTs. Wow.
Warner joined Bickley & MJ on XTRA 910 in Phoenix to talk about his amazing performance against the Packers, why the outcome of this postseason will have no bearing on his retirement plans, how he feels like players have been gunning for his head recently, and what he and the Cardinals need to do to knock off the #1 seed in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints, at the Superdome in the Big Easy this coming weekend.
On just how satisfying his individual performance was on Sunday against the Packers:
“Well I mean, it’s just nice to win and obviously it’s nice to play well at the biggest time of year. And that’s what I’ve always tried to pride myself on and I think what the great ones always do is - when it counts the most, how do you perform? And you know, from that regard, it feels good to be able to play well. Obviously on Sunday we needed every play that we made. And it’s nice to know that you were able to answer the bell and make every play that needed to be made to win that kind of game, and now you can move on.”
On if he knows going in to a game that the offense’s gameplan is bound to be successful, and if so, if last week’s game was one of those weeks:
“Well I mean, I have things that I like every week. I’m always sharing my ideas and pushing the coaches to put in every thing I like. I just really felt good about a couple of packages that we put in. I really felt like I had a good handle on what they were going to do, how they were going to, how they were going to try to stop us. And I really felt like we had mismatches in those areas. One of the big packages that we used in the game, we didn’t put in until Thursday, maybe even Friday last week. But, we felt really good about it. And I think that’s what excites you - you feel good about the plan, you’re excited about what you’re doing, and I always say quarterbacks have a certain way that they see the field. You know, the way that they play the game in their mind. And always a key for me every game plan is do I see the game, am I seeing the certain plays that we have in, am I comfortable with those with the way I see the game? And last week was one of those game plans where I felt really good about what I was going to see, how I was going to attack it, and it really fit with how I see the game. And those are the weeks that you go in with a lot of confidence and belief that you’re going to make everything work. So that’s what you try to come up with every single week. It doesn’t always work that way especially when you’re trying to mesh different things. I mean, me, I want everybody out on every single play and that’s what I feel the best with. You know, you can’t mesh that with a running game and obviously the philosophy of the coaches. So it’s that fine balance, and when you get in a game where you’re feeling great with all the pass plays called, those are games where you’re usually pretty successful. So we’re trying to put another one together this week where we can have a good balance and I can see and feel good about what we’re doing.”
On if he feels comfortable playing in the Superdome (he did lose a SB with the Rams in that building):
“You know, as long as the roof’s closed, I’m happy. You know, I think the weather’s going to be somewhere between 60 and 75 which I can definitely handle. There’s going to be no wind, no rain or no snow so as long as that’s going for me I’m going to feel pretty good in there and with it being a playoff game, it’s not going to get much better than that. I just love places where you know the elements aren’t going to dictate what happens. That you’re not going to have to change the way you play the game. Then you can just lay it all out on the line and I think that’s what’s going to happen and it’s going to be fun.”
On complaining last week during the game about the helmet-to-helmet hit that he took
“Well I don’t know, I don’t want to say anybody is coming after me, but it seems like down the stretch here, I’ve had a lot of guys kind of go for my head - or hit me in the head, whether or not they’re going for it I don’t want to put that on anybody. But you know, it’s just one of those things where I see certain guys when they’re coming free and blitzing, I just feel sometimes like they’re trying to push the envelope as much as they can. One of the things I’m always trying to do is let the officials know. I know they’ve got a tough job and it’s not easy to see all that stuff, but just let them know, ‘hey, watch this’ because I don’t want people going for my head; I want them to be conscious of it. Sometimes if you can get one of those calls early it changes the way the other team plays. It’s more a psychological thing, it’s not really something I’m worried about. But if you just kind of remind the refs every once in a while, they may look for it. You know, we got that one on that unbelievable catch by Larry, but it might have been a penalty had Larry not made that catch, gotten us a first down there inside the red zone. So you know, just trying to be conscious of those things, make sure I’m protecting myself, but also to make sure they’re paying attention to little things like that going on in the game.”
On if he’s made his decision about retirement and is simply waiting for the end of the season to announce it, or if he has not yet made up his mind:
“Well I mean, I consider it all the time and I talk about it, I think about it, I talk with my family about it. So it’s an ongoing thing. But again, as I always say, I don’t ever want to make a decision in the midst of something. I never want to make an emotional decision when I’m on a high or I’m on a low, and make the wrong decision. So to say I haven’t thought about it or am not thinking about it or am not leaning in a certain direction, that wouldn’t be telling the truth. But, a final decision - when I make that decision - everybody’s going to know and it’s not going to come until after the season’s over when I can get away for a little while and really weigh everything. But I do have thoughts on it like I have the last couple years thinking ahead, trying to figure out when’s the right time to do the best thing for me and my family. And I’ll make that decision shortly after the season is over.”
On if the outcome of this coming game or games will have any bearing on his decision whether or not to retire:
“No it’s not going to weigh in at all. Again, I never want to make an emotional decision, so I saw Coach Vermeil - when we went an won the Super Bowl - I saw him retire thinking ‘I want to go out on top, this is ap perfect scenario, I’m going to retire.’ Then six months later he knew it was the wrong decision. He knew he wasn’t ready to be out of the game. Then I think there’s other times where you might lose a game and the last game you play may not be your best game, even though you think you should;d retire, you go ‘well I’m coming back’ and it’s the wrong time, you’re not in to it, you don’t enjoy it. And so I never want one game to dictate - and hopefully one game will never define my career, whether that’s winning a Super Bowl to finish it or whether that’s losing my last game. And that’s how I want to approach it - my body of work is going to speak for itself so I’m not going to let that emotion of a great game or a lousy game dictate what I’m going to do moving forward. I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family, what I feel is right, and then I’ll live with that.”
The Packers vs. Cardinals game last weekend was one of the craziest games that I have ever seen. The Cardinals scored on their first three possessions of the game and the Packers scored on five straight possessions in the second half to combine for 96 points. The 96 combined points is the most in NFL playoff history and it will probably stay that way for quite some time.
In Aaron Rodgers first career playoff game, he threw for 422 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. That is pretty impressive for a playoff rookie, especially on the road. It was a shame that he had to face Kurt Warner and the Cardinals in his first playoff game. Warner has been here before and showed everyone that he can still play at his old age. The Packers defense didn’t have an answer for the Cardinals “Bunch” formation. The Cardinals repeatedly aligned two or more receivers in a tight cluster, and used a variety of crossing routes to create picks or rubs against man coverage. That caused some frustration on the Packers defense as they were repeatedly burned by that formation so they chose to abandon man-coverage and use more zone-coverage. Warner consistently found receivers open over the middle after the Packers defensive adjustment and they were able to capitalize and move the ball up and down the field at will all day long.
After watching the game go back-and-forth all day long, it was shame to see one of the greatest Wild Card playoff games ever played end like that. After Neil Rackers missed the game-winning field goal and sent it to overtime, the Packers ended up winning the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. On their first play from scrimmage, Rodgers missed a wide open Greg Jennings down the middle of the field that would have won the game. Instead, it was 2nd and 10 on their own 20-yard line. Three plays later, Cardinals defensive back, Michael Adams, sacked Rogers from behind popping the football straight up out of Rodgers’ hands only to be caught by Karlos Dansby in mid-air for a seventeen-yard touchdown to win the game. You’ll see hear in the video below that a facemask penalty should have been called by Michael Adams.
Karlos Dansby joined WJOX in Birmingham to talk about the play that won the game for the Cardinals, whether the defense felt like it was their day with all of the turnovers that were created, what was going through his mind when the Packers won the coin toss, and how last season’s playoff run prepared the team for Sunday’s game.
On the play that won the game for the Cardinals:
“It was.Michael Adams made a great play.When he hit Aaron Rodgers the ball just shot out of his hand.Like I said, I had told him a couple of plays before that early in the game once he missed a sack I told him that if he would have hit the bottom the ball would come out.He did it like that in overtime and the ball fell right into my hands.”
Whether the defense like it was their day with all of the turnovers that were created:
“Definitely man it was just one of those days.It was special anointing on me I guess.Like I said, I was in the right place at the right time.God showed me a favor and I made plays.I made plays.That is the only way I can break it down.”
On what was going through his mind when the Packers won the coin toss:
“Before Neil had got up to kick the ball I was praying.I asked God, this is for us.This is for us and I also said that this is for me.This is for me.And Neil missed the field goal and I was like wow!We go out on the coin toss and we lose the coin toss and I am like wow again.God said, think nice.He said think nice.I kept my faith and like I said we made a play and it was perfect man.It was a perfect setup.God had a way to map it out for us man and I am glad that he did.”
On how last season’s playoff run prepared the team for Sunday’s game:
“It definitely prepared us.We knew what to expect going into that game and like I said, it was a playoff game.It was a playoff atmosphere and we had to come out and start fast and fly around and have fun.That is what playoff football is all about.Like I said, we came out and we started fast and we got on the board quick and we made plays left and right, left and right.Then we new that they was going to try to make a run just like Atlanta did.We withheld the blow and all of the plays that they made.They made plays all over the field and I have to give them all of the credit.Making plays well into the second half.They played above normal in the second half.Like I said, it was a great game and it led to a great finish.”
On what he thinks of Aaron Rodgers as a quarterback:
“He is one of the best quarterbacks in the game.He is a young quarterback and he got time to grow and that is a scary thing.He hasn’t hit his potential yet, so like I said he has still got room to grow and that is where every player on the field I think has room to grow and that is a scary thing.That is what makes the game so great because everybody has room to grow and get better and better and better.Like I said, it is going to get interesting to see how they pan out in the next couple of years.”
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