ARIZONA CARDINALS

The case for Kurt Warner the Cardinal vs. Kurt Warner the Ram

Jan 23, 2017, 7:26 AM | Updated: 3:14 pm

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2009, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner reacts to a pla...

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2009, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner reacts to a play in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, in Tampa, Fla. The list of Modern-Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2017 is comprised of 94 players and coaches, including Kurt Warner. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Kurt Warner won two NFL MVPs and Super Bowl XXXIV, in which he was named the game’s MVP.

Twice he made first-team All-Pro, twice he led the NFL in touchdown passes and once he led the league in passing yards.

All of those, plus three of his four Pro Bowl berths, came as a member of the St. Louis Rams.

Strip away the accolades, however, and there’s a case to be made the Hall of Fame hopeful is more an Arizona Cardinal. Unlike baseball, the Pro Football Hall of Fame does not enter players as members of just one team. But since we tend to think of Kurt as a Cardinal, here’s the case anyhow — and we say that with all due respect to Warner’s single season with the New York Giants.

Warner led the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII in the 2008 season, one where the four-time Pro Bowler’s only other honor was a 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Career-wise, Warner played more total games as a Cardinal than he did as a Ram, completed more passes as a Cardinal, threw for more yards as a Cardinal and when it came to touchdowns and interceptions, was more effective as a Cardinal. Not to mention, Warner still lives in Arizona.

Regular season

Cardinals Rams Verdict
Games 61 51 Cardinals
Completions 1,371 1,121 Cardinals
Completion % 65% 66% Rams
Passing yards 15,843 14,447 Cardinals
Yards per game 259.7 per game 283.3 per game Rams
TDs 100 (1.64 per game) 102 (2 per game) Rams
INTs 59 (0.97 per game) 65 (1.27 per game) Cardinals
Yards/attempt 7.53 8.56 Rams

And even though Warner led the Rams into the playoffs more times, his postseason statistics were better with Arizona.

As a Cardinal, Warner’s postseason accuracy was incredible. His completion percentage of 71.1 would rank first all-time among quarterbacks with over 100 attempts, while his touchdown-to-interception ratio was much better with Arizona compared to his time with St. Louis.

Playoffs

Cardinals Rams Verdict
Games 6 7 Rams
Completions 138 169 Rams
Completion % 71% 63% Cardinals
Passing yards 1,731 2,221 Rams
Yards per game 288.5 per game 317.3 per game Rams
TDs 16 (2.67 per game) 15 (2.14 per game) Cardinals
INTs 4 (0.67 per game) 10 (1.43 per game) Cardinals
Yards/attempt 8.92 8.29 Cardinals

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

7 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

15 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

19 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

The case for Kurt Warner the Cardinal vs. Kurt Warner the Ram