Warner, Cards offense lacking in '09: Arizona Cardinals fans are wondering where all of the big plays have gone. The dynamic offense that carried the Cardinals to the Super Bowl has morphed into one that has to plunk a short pass here and there to move the ball downfield. Then again, the bar was set very high. Remember Larry Fitzgerald had TD catches of 42 yards against Atlanta in the first round, 29 yards against Carolina in the conference semifinals, 62 yards against Philadelphia in the NFC championship game and 64 yards against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. Anquan Boldin caught a 71-yarder for a touchdown against Atlanta. Kurt Warner completed 92 of 135 passes for 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns, with three interceptions, in the four postseason contests. "It seemed like every time we dialed one up we had an opportunity at it," Warner said after Wednesday's practice. (Updated 11/04/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 11/8/09).
Fantasy Analysis
By comparison, Warner has only two completions of more than 30 yards this season -- a 40-yarder to Jerheme Urban in the season-opening loss to San Francisco and a 44-yarder to Boldin in the road victory over the New York Giants two games ago. "I think if you're coming in to play the Cardinals, defenses look at what happened last year and they say 'We're going to make sure we don't let Larry get down the field,"' coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Whisenhunt and Warner say the lack of plays downfield is about half due to opponents' defensive adjustments and half due to the Cardinals' failure to execute properly. The Cardinals, who play at Chicago on Sunday, have had to move the ball a few yards at a time as defenses scheme to take away the deep threat. Warner often has had to check down to his running back Tim Hightower, whose 39 catches are the most by a running back in the NFL. "A lot of people think of us as a huge big-play team because of the playoffs," Warner said. "Although we want a lot more of those, I don't think that's how we have to be successful. I think we are built to be successful in other ways as well." Try telling that to Fantasy owners who want the Cardinals' high-powered offense back. Warner remains a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB for Week 9. (Updated 11/04/2009).
11/06/2009 12:20 Week 9 Fantasy Football Matchups
Most of your Seahawks, 49ers and Packers should perform at a high level in Week 9. Our Dave Richard breaks down every game on the weekend schedule for owners in his Fantasy Football Matchups.
11/04/2009 21:51 Cardinals have two faces ... one uglier than other
The Cardinals have an identity crisis. Arizona -- last season's NFC champions -- is playing unpredictable football. While the talent is there, the consistency is nowhere to be found, Craig Morgan says.
11/02/2009 16:20 Fantasy & Reality: The 40-year-old surgeon
We all know you are tired of Brett Favre, but he's become a serious factor in Fantasy. Is he better than your backup? Who should he be starting over going forward? Our Dave Richard touches on that and more in Fantasy & Reality.
11/01/2009 21:13 First Response: Houston's win is our loss
The Texans likely lost arguably the most valuable tight end in Fantasy in Week 8 and saw the birth of a running back controversy. Our Jamey Eisenberg touches on that and more in his First Response.
11/01/2009 20:40 Cardinals Fall to Panthers
Cardinals QB Kurt Werner threw 5 interceptions in their 34-21 loss to the Panthers. Werner answers to the media on his team's lack of intensity.
Kurt Warner's fairy tale year almost saw him win his second Super Bowl. After being named the Cardinals' starting quarterback just before the start of the regular season, Warner completed 401-of-598 passes in the regular season (67.1 comp. pct.) for 4,583 yards (7.66 yards per attempt), 30 touchdowns, seven fumbles lost and 14 interceptions. He added another 1,147 yards passing and 11 touchdowns in four postseason games. Obviously, the 38-year-old-to-be still can play at a high level and has a trio of tremendous targets to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. Warner re-signed with the Cardinals in early March and will continue to pilot their explosive offense for the next two seasons. With that being the case, Warner is a No. 1 Fantasy QB worth a pick between Rounds 4 and 6 in drafts this summer. (Updated 3/18/09)
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