Kurt Warner could be pointed toward Meadowlands, as Giants seek veteran option at quarterback alongside rookie Eli Manning.
Kerry Collins was the Giants' first choice. He said no. Neil O'Donnell was the second choice. He said no, too. Doesn't anybody want to baby-sit Eli Manning? How about a two-time MVP?
Kurt Warner, out to show he's more than just a shooting star after his downfall in St. Louis came as quickly as his brief rise to superstardom, is definitely next on the Giants' list.
The Daily News has learned the Giants have serious interest in Warner as they make the transition to the Eli Manning era. A meeting between team officials and Warner is expected within the next couple of weeks.
Here's the key: What role will Tom Coughlin outline for Warner?
Warner, who will be cut by the Rams after June 1, is out to resurrect his career after losing his job to Marc Bulger. There are no long-term starting spots in the NFL available in May, but he wants a chance to play next season to re-establish himself. The Giants could offer Warner the possibility of starting, especially early in the season. Or Warner could be the security blanket Coughlin needs if he elects to open the season with Manning and the rookie struggles, or if Coughlin decides at the end of training camp Manning is not ready. Warner would also be surrounded by quality skill-position players, although the offensive line is a problem.
This is Manning's team. If Warner is going to whine or start a quarterback controversy, let him go someplace else. If he comes in accepting his role, he would fit the profile of the veteran the Giants need for one season to help Manning get through his rookie season.
Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said yesterday he's had "ongoing conversations" with Giants GM Ernie Accorsi about Warner signing with the Giants. The Rams have given Warner permission to speak with other clubs, but no negotiations have taken place with the Giants. Bartelstein says Warner would be open to spending one year with his new team before trying to find a place to settle down. That's what the Giants could offer.
"It's a team that is looking for a quarterback," Bartelstein said. "We've certainly talked to them. Whether it will lead to anything is hard to say. The Giants are one of the teams I've had ongoing conversations with regarding Kurt's situation. They just drafted a quarterback who is going to be their franchise quarterback, there is no question about that. Kurt understands that. He understands you're not going to find the perfect situation in May or June."
Warner has a lot to prove, even after two MVP awards, one Super Bowl MVP and two Super Bowl appearances, all in his first three seasons with the Rams. Starting with the Super Bowl following the '01 season, he lost his last eight starts. Limited by a series of injuries to his throwing hand, he was 0-6 in 2002, and lost the opener last season in his final start for St.Louis. As long as he's got his old fastball back, he could help the Giants.
The Giants couldn't convince Collins to stay. If they had, he would have started the season opener Sept.12 in Philly. It would have been an ideal setup for the Giants for one year. As long as Collins is not around, the Giants should dedicate the season to Manning, have him start the opener and get his initiation into the NFL out of the way as quickly as possible so he could start putting up big numbers by next year.
But if the Giants sign Warner, it would not be surprising if Coughlin starts the season with him. Coughlin could spot Manning, much like the Eagles did with Donovan McNabb and the Falcons did with Michael Vick during their rookie seasons. Both took over as the starter in their second year. Bringing in Warner could also appease veterans unhappy about losing Collins.
One personnel director endorsed the concept of the Giants finding a stop-gap starter for this season, preventing Manning from damaging his confidence and sparing him the wrath of the tough New York fans as he struggles.
"Why would you want them to turn on him?" he said. "In Green Bay, they will make his meal and pick him up. In New York, it's like throwing him to the wolves."
Warner's career with the Rams basically ended in last year's opener at Giants Stadium when he fumbled six times. It was later learned he suffered a concussion in the first quarter. He didn't get back onto the field until he played in relief of Bulger in the final game of the season.
It would be quite a twist to Warner's unique career if he starts putting the pieces back together in the same place where they really fell apart. Would Warner want to come to a team that just drafted its franchise quarterback?
"It's a great city and a great franchise. The Giants are not a team that likes to rebuild," Bartelstein said. "They want to win. It is certainly something you look at."
The Rams gave Bulger a long-term extension this week with a $9 million signing bonus. To stay, Warner would surely have to cut his $4.75 million salary. That won't happen.
"I think it's time for a change," Bartelstein said.
The Giants and Warner need each other right now. For one year.
If he has to sit behind Eli Manning, Warner's wife head will explode once and for all...
Farley and Belushi are taken away in their prime yet Moore's heart continues to pump bacon grease in and out. God has a brutal sense of humor sometimes.- Barbwire Mike
Great, just what Manning needs at this stage. As if the pressures of trying to live up to being a #1 overall draft pick who pissed and moaned his way into New York wasn't enough, now he gets to be the center of a quarterback controversy. The Giants may be talking all about transition and bringing him along slowly, but what happens if Warner plays like, well, Kurt Warner did over the past two years.
Stop and think...Warner's surroundings would be downgraded in every aspect. Tiki Barber is not as good as Marshall Faulk. Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard are no Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and the Rams have a stronger offensive line. How playing with lesser players in the toughest market in sports is supposed to revitalize Warner I have no idea. And let's say he gets hurt again, or just flat out stinks...then what? Does Manning get rushed in there? Kinda defeats the purpose of bringing in a vet to play/mentor Eli if the guy you get has a 50/50 chance of bottoming out and not being able to fill the role.
I think right now Miami has the inside track on getting Warner anyway. They are very unhappy with their QB's right now so it's likely he could come in and be their starter, with no sure thing sitting behind him to take over.
Martz is trying to talk him into staying here as well, but I doubt it'll happen.
What's Warner going to do...give him bible pointers? Teach him how to stack groceries? The in's and out's of Arena League?
Warner's always been overrated. BigVitoMark is making all the right points about this. Warner should be a non-factor. It does make me smile thinking the Giants will spend all this money for him :)
"Oh, I'm a sad little man? I've thrown a bloody kettle over a pub...what have you done?"
Originally posted by VanillaSkyWhat's Warner going to do...give him bible pointers? Teach him how to stack groceries? The in's and out's of Arena League.
Yeah, either that or he could show him his MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring.....whatever would help young Eli more.
Saying Warner has "always been overrated" is ludicrous. I'm not saying he's still great...but he had two of the best seasons ever.
The Amazing Salami's Not-So-Random W of the Arbitrary Segment of Time
OL FUZZY BASTARD Bastard says:But it doesn't matter anyway because MICHAEL MOORE IS A FATTY! What doesn't he just die - he's so fat!!!
Originally posted by wmatisticI think right now Miami has the inside track on getting Warner anyway....Martz is trying to talk him into staying here as well, but I doubt it'll happen.
No no, it's OK Wade...you guys can keep him, honest.
A.J. "Top 40" Feeley prolly isn't going anywhere but if if if if if IF they sign Warner, Jay Fiedler's gone. But the closer to June 1st the Rams wait to act, the harder it is to dump Fiedler's salary without it hurting the cap.
But that said, it's obvious he needs a change of scenery IF he's going resurge his career, but he's not getting any younger or any healthier.
Originally posted by wmatisticI think right now Miami has the inside track on getting Warner anyway....Martz is trying to talk him into staying here as well, but I doubt it'll happen.
No no, it's OK Wade...you guys can keep him, honest.
A.J. "Top 40" Feeley prolly isn't going anywhere but if if if if if IF they sign Warner, Jay Fiedler's gone. But the closer to June 1st the Rams wait to act, the harder it is to dump Fiedler's salary without it hurting the cap.
But that said, it's obvious he needs a change of scenery IF he's going resurge his career, but he's not getting any younger or any healthier.
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 6.5.04 1420)
Yeah what I read just this week said the Dolphins saw Feeley in action recently and got scared so they called Warner right away. The Rams are talking with Warner now and I expect they'll get a quick "fuck you, I'm gone" so at least teams will know they can have him after June 1st. Then it'll only be a question of where he wants to play(anywhere he can start for sure, which would be Miami and uhhhh yeah Miami), and to a lesser extent how much he'll get paid. I think even he knows he's going to have to take a pay cut this year.
Didn't Warner (Mr. or Mrs., I forget which one) say that Kurt didn't mind being Bulger's backup, but that he felt he had the ability to compete for a starting job in St. Louis or elsewhere? If he went to the Giants, Warner would make QB #5 competing for the backup spot: Jesse Palmer (Bachelor), Ryan Van Dyke (NFL Europe), Jared Lorenzen (Kentucky rookie), and the just-signed one pass wonder Kevin Thompson [cross-referenced from here (The W)]. At best, he would start for a year before it became Manning's team; is that really better than having the secured #2 spot in St. Louis?
This whole Giants quarterback situation just keeps getting weirder by the day. One might think that, with everything they gave up to get Eli Manning, the Giants would spend the money they have on bulking up the offensive line that didn't protect Kerry Collins last year - unless they really want to break that David Carr sack mark from two years ago.
Originally posted by StegDutchie If he went to the Giants, Warner would make QB #5 competing for the backup spot: Jesse Palmer (Bachelor), Ryan Van Dyke (NFL Europe), Jared Lorenzen (Kentucky rookie), and the just-signed one pass wonder Kevin Thompson [cross-referenced from here (The W)].
I don't think it would be much of a competition. If Warner becomes a Giant, he's either #1 or #2, despite this supposed competition.
Well, if you heard the latest uproar about Eli Manning having a weak first practice, then Warner will be starting by Week Two. ;)
THE QUEST FOR LORD STANLEY'S CUP
Tied for 9th: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators Tied for 5th:Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche Tied for 3rd: Second: The Champion:
Originally posted by evilwaldoEither way Kurt becomes high comedy. I personally want him to come to New York so his wife can get nailed by the media.
If it wasn't for those last three words, you'd have the Out of Context Quote of Whenever.
How many quarterbacks do we need, anyway? o.o
Now hold on...we in the media need some, too! :-)
Just not with Kurt Warner's wife...yeesh.
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life! (Click the big G or here to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio...or try .AU, .WAV or .MIDI!)
Originally posted by VanillaSkyWhat's Warner going to do...give him bible pointers? Teach him how to stack groceries? The in's and out's of Arena League.
Yeah, either that or he could show him his MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring.....whatever would help young Eli more.
Saying Warner has "always been overrated" is ludicrous. I'm not saying he's still great...but he had two of the best seasons ever.
Kurt was hailed as the second coming of Jesus there for a while. I think he was the byproduct of a great team. When you have a hell of an O-line, 3 very very good receivers, and a running back with the skills of Faulk, anyone could fill that role and be good. Well, not anyone, but someone with a basic set of skills.
"Oh, I'm a sad little man? I've thrown a bloody kettle over a pub...what have you done?"
Thread ahead: What have the Giants fans done to deserve this? Next thread: Tim Rattay out, Collins to SF? Previous thread: PACKER NEWS: Agent to Mike McKenzie: YYYOU'RE FAAHHHRRRD!
Well, it is true that he had a good winning percentage in the regular season. And he did make it to the playoffs 8 out of the 10 years of his tenure. But... his playoff record is horrible.