Warner's departure leaves Cardinals grounded

TEMPE, Ariz. -- When Kurt Warner reached the podium to announce his retirement Friday, he brandished a simple black Bible to remind everyone who had the final say.

God might have given Warner peace of mind with this decision, but in doing so he wreaked havoc on a franchise.

"It's been 12 unbelievable years -- 12 of the best years of my life," Warner told a deathly silent room. "But I want everybody to know that I'm just as excited about the next 12."

Just like that, the joyride was over for a team still woefully short on fond memories. The Cardinals as we knew them are done. While logic may dictate there is still hope -- that Warner is just one player on a talented team -- it was hard to shake the vision of a franchise in flames.

Warner is not just one player. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback with the rarest of abilities: the ability to elevate and inspire a team. Without him, there will be no Super Bowls in the Cards' immediate future. There will be no talk of an arcade offense, and reaching the playoffs will be a struggle -- even in the weak NFC West.

Arizona might be better off than it was three years ago, but it is much worse off than it was three weeks ago.

"I'm excited about where our team is and where we're going," said Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose pedigree and position don't allow for much handwringing. "Obviously, when you lose a player like Kurt it always has an impact, but our players have been able to [overcome adversity]."

Cardinals players were not as resolute.

"That's a guy you can never replace," Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle said. "We would not have been where we were the last two years without Kurt Warner and I'm still having a hard time imagining us without him."

That's the problem.

Warner was to the Cardinals what Steve Nash is to the Phoenix Suns; an axis that keeps disparate parts humming in unison. The offense (hell, even the marketing department) was built around Warner's unique abilities. His input was a valued addition to the game plan. Everything ran through him, and he had a hand in everything.

"Kurt is one of the most unique players I've ever been around," receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "He can change games all by himself."

Warner's heir, Matt Leinart, does not appear ready for that challenge -- and may never be. That fact will have a domino effect on the rest of the team.

While Whisenhunt can transition to an offense more in line with his philosophy -- a punishing run game and controlled passing game -- that doesn't mean it will work as effectively. Warner won a lot of games for Arizona and the Cardinals do not have enough difference-makers to offset the loss of his game-altering abilities.

As great as it was over the second half of the season, how effective will the run game and Beanie Wells be without the threat of Warner?

How effective will Fitzgerald be without Warner, and possibly without Anquan Boldin? Fitzgerald's fellow receiver is entering the final year of his contract and has been the focus of trade talk.

How will a defense that surrendered 90 points in two playoff games hold up under increased pressure to perform consistently, even if the team reworks the salary of disgruntled and indispensable defensive end Darnell Dockett?

Coach Ken Whisenhunt and team president Michael Bidwill face a long offseason. (US Presswire)

Make no mistake this is Leinart's team now. There are no other options. Names like Donovan McNabb have been bandied about the message boards, but the Cards invested the 10th pick in the 2006 draft on Leinart. His salary increases from about $2.5 million in 2010 to about $7.4 million in 2011, with a roster bonus of $5.5 million. The Cardinals need to find out what he has while he's still a relatively cheap option.

"We have a lot of confidence in Matt," Fitzgerald said. "I think he can surprise the doubters."

Leinart may evolve into a good NFL quarterback. His body of work is still too small to make a determination. But even if he does, he'll never be Warner.

That's not a knock. Few players come along with Warner's ability, but this team desperately needs Warner to avoid slipping into mediocrity.

This is the way things work. Opportunity has a short shelf life in the NFL -- the product of a shrewd salary cap, free agency and injuries that produce parity other leagues can only dream about.

Unless you are blessed with a young, exceptional quarterback, a three- to four-year span is the norm before the window closes.

Warner just threw a rock through the Cardinals' window.

Not that he should feel responsible for the damages. Warner gave every ounce of himself to this franchise from the moment he walked through the doors -- appearances, autographs, long and thoughtful answers for every media question (warranted or not) and a host of jaw-dropping performances like that five-touchdown, four-incompletion performance against the Packers three weeks ago.

"You never want to leave anybody in a difficult situation," Warner said. "At the same time, I knew it would be a disservice to me and to everybody around me if I came back specifically to fill that void physically and I couldn't do what I needed to do from all the other standpoints.

"I just don't know that I can [perform] physically or mentally the way that I always have."

Typical humility. Typical Warner. So I'll go ahead and say it for him.

Kurt Warner was the face of this franchise.

Now that he's gone, get ready for a dramatic facelift.