Kurt Warner knows all about Matt Cassel's story and what is expected of him. In 1999, Warner was Cassel.
Warner was the backup for the Rams that year behind Trent Green. The Rams had just drafted Torry Holt and acquired Marshall Faulk to go with Isaac Bruce, so the offense was expected to be successful.
But when Green went down in the preseason with a knee injury and was lost for the year, Warner stepped in as an unknown commodity who previously had a job bagging groceries and playing in the Arena League. He surprised plenty of people that year in leading the Rams to the Super Bowl while winning MVP honors.
The Rams offense became known as the "Greatest Show on Turf," and Warner was an instant Fantasy star. Because of that, Warner is rooting for Cassel to succeed in replacing the injured Tom Brady, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
|
|
|
Kurt Warner can relate to what Matt Cassel is facing with the Patriots.
(US Presswire)
|
|
"That's where I think it's going to be hard for Matt is that nobody can expect him to be
Tom Brady," Warner said on a conference call Wednesday. "It's impossible.
Tom Brady wasn't
Tom Brady in his first year. Nobody can expect that, yet you know those expectations are going to be there because of the team he's on and what the expectations were for that team coming in. I hope he does well, but I think it's going to be impossible for him to live anywhere close to the hype that Tom had coming in."
Cassel can only hope for as much success as Warner had the last 10 years. Every time you think Warner is down, he resurfaces and helps Fantasy owners once again.
This year is no different. Warner, 37, was expected to be the backup to Matt Leinart for the Cardinals until coach Ken Whisenhunt made the right decision to let Warner start.
Last year, Warner took over when Leinart was lost for the season with a broken collarbone and played well. He finished the year with 3,417 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 14 games.
Over the final eight games, Warner led the NFL in touchdowns with 21, one more than Brady, who finished with an NFL-record 50 touchdowns. And this year could be even better, which is why Warner should be counted on as a No. 1 Fantasy option.
"People have tried to take it from me a number of times, tried not to give me the opportunity or tried everything to give it to somebody else," said Warner, who passed for 197 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 at San Francisco. "I think there's always a little gratification in going out and being able to win a job. I think the great thing about it is that not a lot of people expect it in this day and age because so many teams are going to the young quarterbacks and are going to the future, and I think sometimes it's unfortunate for older guys that can still play this game."
Warner knows he has plenty of help, especially with his two receivers. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin can make any quarterback look good.
Warner said it's like Boldin and Fitzgerald are always open.
"What I've come to realize with these two guys is 'open' is kind of a relative term," Warner said. "It's nice to have two guys that strong with the football and can make plays. It's really nice in the red zone to have a couple of guys that have the ability to catch in traffic. They're strong. To hold their own in traffic and also to be able to go up and get the football. Obviously it's a great luxury as a quarterback to have two great receivers in any way, shape or form, but it's fun playing with these two guys.”
With Leinart, Fitzgerald and Boldin would still be quality Fantasy options, but Warner makes them better. And they know it.
Boldin told CBSSports.com this offseason that Warner is a good quarterback because of his experience.
"Kurt is big on timing, which is good for me," Boldin said. "When Kurt is in there, the ball is there as soon as I come out of my route. I always tell him to just put the ball 2 feet off the ground and I'll go get it."
One thing that could hinder Warner and the passing game for the Cardinals is an improved running game. Edgerrin James, who Fantasy owners are down on because of his age (30) and two disappointing years with the Cardinals, had 100 yards rushing in Week 1 against the 49ers and should play well again in Week 2 against Miami.
Warner said as a veteran himself, he's impressed that James continues to make plays. James should still be considered a No. 2 Fantasy running back, especially this week.
"Edge is one of those guys that you love having around," Warner said. "I think the great thing about Edge is that he is just a positive runner. He's one of those guys that never seem to lose yards. He always finds a way to make a 3-yard gain a 6-yard gain, or something that should be a loss, he always finds a way to make it a 1- or 2-yard gain and keep things positive. You love to have guys like that."
Warner is also impressed with rookie running back Tim Hightower, who is worth adding in every Fantasy league at this point. He had 13 yards rushing and a touchdown against the 49ers and appears to the be the goal-line back for the Cardinals.
Whisenhunt said in a conference call that Hightower's role is going to be increased. "I think that we have certain plays that we want to get Tim in there, but we're going to give him opportunities as well," Whisenhunt said. "That's something that he had to earn. He's a young player and being a rookie in the league, a lot of times you don't want to give him too much. He's done a very good job of handling his role, and I hope that we'll be able to get enough carries that we can expand his role."
The Cardinals haven't had much success the past few years, but Fantasy owners continue to rely on their players. And Warner has been the biggest surprise since he was expected to be coming off the bench.
But just like his entire career, Warner finds a way to get on the field. He also finds a way to help Fantasy owners because there's still some life left in his aging arm.
