Actually, Young's best year (statistically) was 1998...that year the 49ers put up more yards than any other team, even the Vikings and Broncos. He was 4 touchdowns away from 40 and would've become only the 2nd player in NFL history to reach 40 TDs. He actually threw for more yards and touchdowns than Cunningham (who was the Vikings). In a regular year, you would've heard more about it...but it was one of those years for the NFL. The Vikings were on pace to shatter points scored in season. The Broncos were close to going undefeated. Flutie was about to carry the Bills back into playoffs. The Falcons were becoming somewhat of dominate team, finished 14-2 and had to play on the road in Conference Finals. I think it was the 1st time that happened. The Jets were about to get 1st round bye for the 1st time ever, as Parcells was turning them into powerhouse. Davis rushed for 2,000 yards.
I'm a huge Kurt Warner fan ( we used to attend the same church in STL), and with my bias I'd definitely say he is.
I don't see the Young comparison at all. Yes, 1994 was the best season of his career, but he had an 8-yr stretch (91-98) where he averaged a 100+ QB rating. Warner did that for 3 years, but hasn't even broken 90 since then (until the first half of this year).
My point of emphasis is that Warner, Young, Gannon were all guys who had to fight their way into a starting role... which took 5-6 years off what their career stats could have been. I'm not saying Kurt Warner has any of the intangibles of Steve Young, nobody besides Elway could run the bootleg as well as Steve, he could kill you with his feet, Warner has never had any mobility and when he's pressured constantly he coughs up the ball (I seem to recall one game as a Giant where he fumbled like 5 times in the first half.) My comparison is their similar career paths, although I agree Young's body of work and consistency is what earns him higher marks. That being said, Warner is about as accurate as a passer as the game has ever seen. You give him time to throw and some truly great receivers, you're going to get a lot out of him because he can make the throws. Sure you can argue that he's been in great systems and he might be your NFL version of a spread offense QB, but I think if he proves he's still got it this year and next year, he has a shot. Especially if Matt Leinart can't come close to duplicating the same numbers. photoblue - Good point about the 98 season, that was one wild year. I completely forgot that Steve Young was so good that season. I just remember his QB rating being in the 115 range during the Super Bowl win of 94.
I think that is good QB to compare him to, but I think Warner is slightly better player, though. Warner can put the ball anywhere on the field, while I think Gannon was limited with the vertical passing. Warner is not only a game manager, he can be gunslinger and bomber. All one has to do is watch the old Rams games from 99-02 and the Cardinals of the last two seasons. Also, he's more clutch. In his last two playoff losses, the last time his offense had the ball, his team scored touchdown nearing the last minutes of the game. Against the Patriots, his defense dropped the ball....I thought he showed up in the Super Bowl (he had over 365 yards passing and scored the last touchdown of the game), but we know happened at the last 2nd in his 2nd Super Bowl appearance. The other times, he brought the Rams back from 27-7 deficit to take the lead late in game, then Tony Horne fumbled on punt return and the Saints scored touchdown. Before that he got the last touchdown against the Titans and Bucs on his way to his 1st Super Bowl victory. Warner is clutch.
I don't think Gannon was ever "unclutch" but his strength was clearly his short passing game and his feet in his younger days. But I do think Warner is a better QB. in the AFC title game against the Ravens in 2000, he was sacked early in the game and just flat out destroyed by that fat **** Tony Siragusa. He landed on him with all his weight and dislocated Gannon's shoulder. We still had a chance to keep that game close within 1 score at halftime, but Anthony Dorsett and Marquez Pope took 2 simultenously bad angles on 3rd and 17 to let Shannon Sharpe run untouched for a 96 yard touchdown. The Ravens Defense took over from there. In the tuck rule game, they decided to run the ball on 3rd and 1. Zack Crockett was something like 15 for 15 on 3rd or 4th and 1 that season. They give it to Wheatley instead, and the Patriots stop him because of a blown blocking scheme and the Raiders have to punt which puts Brady in position to tie or win the game (we all know what happens after that) And of course in the Super Bowl, Bill Callahan played right into Gruden's hands by not trying to change up the offense Gruden built for that team one single iota. Tampa Bay knew exactly where they needed to be to take away the short passing game and Gannon had to resort to throwing deep to score the Raiders only points. So in short, I blame Tony Siragusa, a moronic rule, and Jon Gruden for the shortcomings of Rich Gannon.
I can't agree with that. Young sat in SF because they had another great QB on the field already. One could argue that he got arguably the best QB of all time shipped out so he could take over. Warner rode the bench because he wasn't good enough to get on it. Now granted, once he got on it with all that talent in STL...he was dominant. But from the time he left, until now, he has been mediocore. I don't think that is worthy of the HOF. If anything, I think it shows that he really benefitted from having studly talent surrounding him. Yeah, other top QB's won with great talent too....but some of them were also able to show that they could still be very successful even when their surrounding talent wasn't (Elway early on in Denver, Montana in KC, Marino, etc). You don't think it's a conicidence that Warner had dominant years when he was surrounded by in prime Holt, Bruce and Faulk....avg years when those players weren't as good....and then suddenly great times again with two top WR's (Boldin, Fitz)?
I don't get why people seem to gloss over all the completely abysmal seasons Warner had between 02 and 08. These aren't just "down" years, they're horrible. Most HOF QBs have a consistently good career, they might have one or two average seasons, but for the most part, they are consistently above-average.
I don't see why there is a debate...Of course he's a HOF'r...He's having a great year, even though he's older...He still makes great throws and is winning...
Bump. Does he get in for going/winning the Super Bowl? Three Super Bowl appearances. A Championship, and some MVPs.
Assuming he comes back next season, he'll hit 30,000+ passing yards, 200+ tds, and have outstanding career completion % and QB rating numbers. I think a strong case can be made for him just on that and his past 2 MVPs and his Superbowl win. If the Cards win Superbowl 43, and with the above numbers, I don't see how you can keep him out.
He'll get in even if they don't win the super bowl. He's one of only 2 QB's EVER to lead two different teams to Super Bowls... and if he wins, he'll be the only QB ever to do that.
I'm feel stupid for not knowing who the 2 qb's are that led two different teams to the Superbowl. Edit: I looked it up. Warner is one of them and the other is Morton
if he wins the superbowl this year, he should retire. would have had pretty much the coolest career in sports history. and he should be a lock for the hall. it shouldn't have to be only about the #'s, but i think he has enough of those anyway.
2x MVP 2x Offensive Player of the Year 2x All Pro 1x Super Bowl MVP 3 Super Bowl Appearances (4 game winning touchdown in last 3 playoff appearances) 2nd player to reach 40 tds in a season 93.2 QB rating is 3rd all time (behind Steve Young and Peyton Manning) Tied for 3rd in consecutive season leading league in completion percentages. 65.09 completion percentage is 2nd all time 4,830 passing yards in a season is 3rd all time, passed by Brees in 2008. Tied for 2nd with Marino and Moon, Warner has thrown for more than 300 yards in 9 games in 2 different seasons. Also, Warner is tied for 3rd with Brady, Bulger, Greens, Brees, and Fouts for at least 8 300-yard passing games in 2000. Remember, Warner only played 11 games that season. Thrown for at least 30 or more touchdowns 3x times in his career, only other QBs to do so are Marino, Favre, and Manning. Regular Season Record: 48-37 Postseason Record: 8 - 2
