Jan. 28, 2010

As Warner hangs 'em up, it's huge loss for Cards, NFL

By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The voice came from behind Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett as the NFC bus made its way to Thursday morning's Pro Bowl practice here.

"That big decision is coming [Friday]," the voice bellowed.

Dockett turned to see who was doing the talking. It was San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, who plays in the same NFC West with Dockett and the Cardinals.

The big decision was the announcement by Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner that he was retiring.

Willis, you see, is all for the move. Why wouldn't he be?

"Go ahead and let him retire," Willis told Dockett. "You'll be the same, old Cardinals again."

"Nooooo," Dockett said. "Don't say that."

By saying the "same, old Cardinals," Willis means the Cardinals that have been losers for most of their time in Arizona. With Warner, the Cardinals went to their first Super Bowl last season and won the NFC West the past two, getting eliminated from this year's playoffs by the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago.

Warner is a Hall of Fame passer who might be an even better guy. His loss will be felt inside that locker room and also around the league.

"He's been a big part of my career since I've been here," Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle said after Thursday's Pro Bowl practice. "He's a great teammate and a great leader. He's been an outstanding role model."

Warner is the type of player the NFL loves. He's great, he's accommodating, he's helpful to any teammates who ask and he doesn't get into trouble.

You won't find this father of seven in a Tiger-like scandal. That's why he's the kind of player opponents admire.

"If he does retire, the league will lose a great player but an even better person," Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.

I asked Willis about his crack on the bus, and he laughed. "I'm not saying he needs to go, but I don't mind if he does," Willis said.

Warner is 38 and he played 12 seasons. He has had concussion issues and he took a violent shot in the loss to the Saints two weeks ago. After that game, Warner said he wouldn't wait long to make his decision about playing another season.

"He's had a hell of a career," Dockett said. "I have to take my hat off to him."

Warner considered retirement after the 2008 season, but decided to stick around and the Cardinals gave him a two-year contract that paid him $23 million. He also received a $15 million signing bonus. The Cardinals could ask for half of that back, but that's unlikely considering what he helped the franchise do, which was to overcome the loser label.

Before joining the Cards, Kurt Warner won two MVP awards in St. Louis along with a Super Bowl. (AP)

It is a Hall of Fame résumé for a Hall of Fame person. This is the kind of man Warner is: I once had a scheduled meeting with him in Arizona, but my flight was delayed and I was late. When I landed, I had two messages on my phone from Warner checking on me to see what was up.

Most players simply blow it off and move on. Warner actually cared.

One summer, I bumped into him at a dolphins swim in Orlando. I saw him before he saw me and got the chance to see him interact with his handicapped son, who he adopted. The care and love was evident from across the lagoon.

The man has a big heart. That is not an act either. He is every bit as real as he comes across.

Watching Warner read defenses and throw with pinpoint accuracy has been a real treat. That ability to read defenses and make accurate, on-time throws earned him a nickname with his teammates.

"We call him The Surgeon," Rolle said. "He cuts you apart."

The Cardinals will now turn to Matt Leinart, drafted in the first round in 2006. Leinart was actually the starter ahead of Warner in 2007, but when he got hurt Warner took over and has started every game since.

Is Leinart the long-term answer? Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is a firm believer he can be.

"Whoever steps in those shoes has some big shoes to fill," Dockett said.

"Leinart steps in those shoes," I said to Dockett.

"Will he?" Dockett said. "I don't know. You never know. Pretty sure it's going to be a competitive job after Kurt, so you don't know."

That isn't exactly a ringing endorsement by a teammate for Leinart. But that's for down the road. This week, it's about The Surgeon hanging up his cutting knife.

"I love Kurt as a person," Dockett said. "He's a good guy on and off the field. That takes something out of the locker room. You respect him. You look up to him. We're going to miss him."

We all are.