If Kurt Warner Still Played For the Cardinals
Kurt Warner celecbrating a trip to the Super Bowl
Take today’s Arizona Cardinals, subtract Carson Palmer, and insert Kurt Warner. No, not Kurt Warner from today, insert The Gunslinger from 2008. What kind of team would the Cardinals be? This would have to depend primarily on the performance of the offensive line. Kurt was not a fan of getting hit often, especially with his lack of mobility. If Kurt could stay protected, this team would be downright lethal. Of course they would still have to compete against the likes of San Francisco and Seattle twice a season, but a man with that much pocket presence and route knowledge would be a daunting task for opposing defenses.
Everyone knows that Carson Palmer behind center this year is a the best improvement Cardinals fans have seen since Warner left. That being said, it would only be fair to compare the two players previous years on the field to see how they stack up.
Year
Team
G
Att
Comp
Pct
Yds
Avg
Yds/G
TD
Int
Lng
20+
40+
Sck
Rate
2009
Arizona Cardinals
15
513
339
66.1
3,753
7.3
250.2
26
14
45
42
3
24
93.2
http://www.nfl.com/player/kurtwarner/2503540/careerstats
Year
Team
G
Att
Comp
Pct
Yds
Avg
Yds/G
TD
Int
Lng
20+
40+
Sck
Rate
2012
Oakland Raiders
15
565
345
61.1
4,018
7.1
267.9
22
14
64T
49
10
26
85.3
www.nfl.com/player/carsonpalmer/2505245/careerstats
Both players played the same amount of regular season games, Carson had a few more attempts as well as more long balls completed. While Kurt was more accurate with a higher rating. Ironically both we intercepted that same amount and Palmer was sacked only twice more. These are pretty close comparisons but of course the smart choice would be Warner. You have to pick accuracy above all else.
It is fun to wonder what the team would be like if Warner was still able to play like he did in his last couple years in the desert, but by looking at the numbers, lightning may in fact strike twice if Palmer can stay healthy.