Arizona has a better chance with Warner

By: Byron Parker

If you're a Matt Leinart fan, it would probably be difficult to find a reason for him to be the starter for the 08-09 NFL season. Sure you could say that "he's the future" and "he needs to play in order to get better," but that isn't the mindset that Ken Whisenhunt is in. With Leinart only in his 3rd year and yet to show signs of improvement, it's best to sit him for a minimum of this season.

Whisenhunt is showing that he wants to win now and his team is close to doing just that. After finishing with an 8-8 record last season, allowing Leinart to start this season would be a step back for this franchise. Warner has basically turned this team into a contender on his own, based upon what he was able to do last season without starting all 16 games. It's possible to make a case that last year was one of his best statistical seasons; Warner finished the season with 27 touchdowns and 3,417 passing yards--not bad for a 37 year old, right?

Leinart has been ineffective since being drafted and he has yet to show NFL fans the Leinart that led the USC Trojans to three National Championship games. This however, doesn't make him a bust like some would like to begin to label him as. Leinart is still young and has really been in some strange situations during his tenure as a Cardinal. He really had a lot of pressure on him by being looked upon as the future of the franchise. Leinart didn't have anybody to sit behind during his young career and that forced him to become the go-to-guy for this team. But when it comes to playing in the NFL, Leinart is still a bit immature on the field--and if you type his name in the google image search, he may be a little immature off the field as well. Nonetheless, Leinart just needs sometime to learn the NFL and he can do that behind Warner.

Leinart's a cool guy, and that makes everybody want to see him succeed in the NFL. That will happen eventually, but the truth is that it won't happen now. Everybody wants to see him become the quarterback that he is supposed to be, but it will take time for him. That's the mistake that some franchises make when developing a quarterback. They sometimes get selfish and want to shine the spotlight on their quarterback to better the image of the franchise. But if you're a GM, that's not the route to go if you want to have you're quarterback mentally stable for the future.

Fortunately, Whisenhunt has realized that and decided to make the best decision by starting Warner. With the organization realizing that they are "potential" contenders in the NFC West, they feel that they have a better chance at winning with Warner at the starting QB position. I mean, it's kind of hard to turn down a guy who was a Super Bowl MVP and has been selected to three Pro Bowls, especially when he's competing with a quarterback who still has yet to prove anything in this league.

Packers: Time for the New Era

By: Ray Dunseith

For the Green Bay Packers, it would be very ignorant to announce that an era has ended. Along with Brett Favre’s throwing arm leaving, so does the career and history behind it.

So what does it leave in Green Bay?

Well, it starts with a new arm. That would be Mr. Aaron Rodgers. What is known about the youngster that’s been watching Brett from the sidelines three years in a row (besides the fact that he spells his name with a d)? Well, he was drafted the same year behind Alex “Little Hands” Smith, who has proven to be a decent NFL quarterback. This is about all that we know about him. He was dubbed the “future” of the Packers, and the future has started.

So, is this going to be a good thing for Cheese heads? It’s a pretty hard to tell, since we really haven’t seen much of him without a headset and a ball cap on. One would think that having Brett Favre, one the greatest to ever toss the pigskin as a mentor would make you a great player. But, I remember back when A-rodg was drafted hearing an ornery Brett Favre say that he wasn’t there to teach, only to play. Hopefully, things didn’t pan out that way and Rodgers got to spend some quality time with number four soaking it all in.

But I have hope in this guy. I could see him being pretty successful here. He has to remember a few things (as should all dose fans up in Wisconsin). He will NOT be as good as Favre was. It’s just not going to happen. There will NEVER be another Brett Favre. The only guy coming close right now has a horseshoe on his helmet, and even he isn’t proven to be that great yet. He has decent receivers and a solid line. The running game has a lot of potential in Ryan Grant (fantasy team sleeper anyone?). But this is pretty much his first year, so it might not all click at once.

Just take it easy on this California boy, Green Bay and maybe be you’ll get a quarter back that can make you as proud and sad as the one that just called it a career this week.

LT's backup gets a starting job

By: Ray Dunseith

San Diego knew that they had something special at the running back position. Power, speed, the moves and a nice swagger make this guy special. Wait, you think I’m talking about La-.... Nope. I’m talking about Michael Turner, his former back-up that just signed a 6 year $34.5 million dollar contract according to sportingnews.com.

Turner, coming to his fifth year in the NFL out of Northern Illinois is a stud back. He’s going to be the Frank Gore in your fantasy draft next year.

Now, as one man moves up on a team, another must move down.

As part of the Falcon’s recent cutting spree that has left Alge Crumpler and Byron Leftwich out of jobs there (but don’t expect much unemployment checks to be collected for these two, especially Crumpler), speedster Warrick Dunn is “dunn” with the Falcons. This is going to be a guy to watch in free agency. It’s not likely that the 11 year veteran will land another starting job, but he could defiantly be a guy to split with a power back, similar to what the Falcons used to do with him and TJ Duckett.