After all, it's late at night. Whenever I get an idea, I like to sit down and write it while the thought is fresh in my mind.
Here's the thought: Despite everything everybody seems to think, maybe the 49ers have a chance to sign Kurt Warner, after all.
I know, I know, it seems ridiculous. But if Warner were ever to sign with a team other than the Cardinals, he'd first have to:
--Make it abundantly clear that he wishes to end his career with the team he just took to the Super Bowl.
--Take a high-profile trip to the team that was courting him to allow everybody to wrestle with the idea that, due to the Cardinals' lack of commitment, he was seriously considering another option.
--Receive significantly more security (financially speaking, of course) from the other team.
--Make one final, public plea for the Cardinals to keep him. And, better yet, he could throw in a generous dash of altruism. ("I'll take a million dollars less per year, if you re-sign Anquan Boldin.")
Check, check, check and check.
After the very public counter-offer, Warner simply cannot tuck his tail between his legs at this point and return to the Cardinals if they don't match his demand.
Of course, he also could be so disillusioned with what's transpired that he decides to retire.
Could Kurt Warner still end up with the 49ers? As crazy as it sounds, there is still a chance.
OK, now I'm going to bed. Maybe I'll be thinking with a little more clarity when I awaken in the morning.
* * *
Maybe he's a Joe Montana fan. ^^
It's always has been and still remains a longshot that Warner leaves Phoenix.
That said, if ANY team is capable of blowing this, it's the Cards.
Matt is it true that Warner will give a decision to the 49ers tomorrow?
I don't think he WANTS to leave the Cards. I think he was serious about signing with the 9ers, if he has to. Why bring the wife along if you are just posturing. 1 mill really isn't a lot for him to give up relative to the Arizona area endorsements. He should forget about the the difference in cash, cuz he'll miss out in MILLIONS if he leaves AZ
Matt,
I dont think you are that far off. $17m-$19m guaranteed is a tough pill to swallow for the Bidwells financiall as well as potential repurcussions on the rest of the team Q and others FA now and in the future. I would not underestimate Wizenhunts background with Pittusburg where they had a history of letting people go if the numbers weren't quite right for the greater good of the team. If they cant work a deal allowing them to release Warner after 1 year in case of the dredded Superbowl hangover then this is likely to drag out into next week and a possible return visit to SF. I am still optimistic - I hope Shawn Hill isnt tied to wearing #13 next year.
Matt:
I read this in ProFootballTalk.com about AZ & business:
Frugality is not a new dynamic in the desert. As former Cardinals safety Robert Griffith told Michael Silver, then of SI.com, in 2007, “They’re all show. They’re a facade. They say, ‘We’ve got the nicest stadium in North America’ — and they do. But everything else is to the penny.”
Griffith provided two examples to Silver. “When we’re not there on Tuesdays,” Griffith said, “they put a lock on the Gatorade fridge in the locker room.”
The other example came from what was in Griffith’s signing bonus check. Or, more accurately, what wasn’t in it.
“The Fed Ex [to send him the contract] cost $14.11 or something, and when I got my check, they’d deducted it — the check was for like $499,985.89, or whatever. That’s how they do sh-t in Arizona. That’s how they run their business!”
I think the doors open until AZ nails it shut and they can't even afford the hammer. Boldin will never get the contract he's looking for. They'll expect him to play it out and then franchise him.
Geo Mak had a good point about blowing this. It wouldn't be easy but when it comes to screwing up, never count the Bidwell's out!
Hi Matt,
You can call me crazy for still having a dream that Mr.Warner will sign with the 49ers.
I think his counter offer to Arizona plus the $1M the he would give up to sign Boldin was his way of planning to get out of Arizona with the fans not being upset at him.
I am saying this because he knows that Arizona would not accept his new offer because the actual guaranteed money is $19M and plus the fact that Arizona has no intention of giving Boldin a new deal regardless of Mr.Warner wants to contribute his own $1M.
This way Mr.Warner would be able to say to the fans in Arizona that he's willing to do all of this stuff, but Arizona still would not accept his offer; hence, he must leave Arizona for SF.
What do you think of my logic Matt???
LOck on the Gatorade fridge...haha I have to give the bdwells credit - I thought John York invented that one!
If Warner does go back to the Cards, it's going to make for a great in division rivalry this year. I would think that Coach Sing's motivational talk would be extra special before facing the Cards, knowing that Kurt went back to a team for less money and less respect. I hope Manusky works up some special blitz packages for the next time Kurt decides to come to SF.
OK, aside from the Cardinals, are the 49ers really the best fit for Kurt Warner? I don't think so. There are teams that have more talent on offense (especially at receiver and offensive line) than the 49ers. Teams like the Bills, Browns, Texans, Jets, Redskins, and Buccaneers are overall better on offense than the 49ers (and each one of them could use a new, established, well-accomplished QB). The 49ers have big questions at O-line and receiver, plus, they have one of the worst stadiums in the NFL (especially for a guy who plays his best on turf underneath a dome). I think after rejecting the original offer from the Cards, coming to Santa Clara, and then going back to Arizona to tell them that he wants to stay (not to mention that he didn't visit any team BUT the 49ers), I really think he was pining for more money from Arizona and Arizona alone.
He would go to SF if he left AZ. He'd be able to stay in the NFC West. As far as the stadium, it might not be the greatest but SF is a warm weather place.
Yes, it is lunacy, but I think Matt is right that Warner can't really back off--as in lower his demand--at this point.
If the cards don't meet him at close to his offer (for example, amount requested minus the million, and let Boldin fight his own battles) then pride, God, and righteous wrath might just lead the soap opera in a red/gold direction.
Matt,
According to CBS 5 Warner will make his decision within 24 hours. His agent also said that they know what the offer will be from the 49ers "when it comes".
Sounds like Warner is giving the Cardinals 24hrs to meet his demands or else he will sign with the 49ers.
Matt,
You've really hit the nail on the head. You're exactly right-given the whole Warner-to-the-Niners possibility has been a longshot at best, yet has continued to linger on and on. There's no way that the longer he remains a free agent, contract or not, that it hurts the Niners chances of getting him, Plus there was no way no matter what the $ could possibly be that he would turn his back so quickly on the team that gave him a shot to redeem himself and get back to the superbowl. I think I can speak for all Niners fans by saying thanks for the great coverage on the story overall, and if Warner does in fact come to the Niners, you should deserve and receive all the credit in the world for not being so quick to make the assumptions that everyone else in the local and national media have been making since friday.
Matt you forgot the most important key why the Cardinals might not be able to agree to Warners "counter offer". Again my information is based on what I last heard from ESPN and the great bloggers of you and Matt Barrows, KNBR etc.
***IF the Cardinals agree to his counter offer this will chew up aprx 18 million of their cap space. That is his gurantee of 12 million plus his salary of $6 million. I believe this was brought up on ESPN if this is true can the Cardinals afford that price tag with there other free agents still unsigned??
I might be way off, but it seems to me that there is no way the cardinals pass on a 2 year 23 million dollar offer.
Could they be that dumb?
It will count about 12 mil/yr against the cap for them. I dont get the 18 million cap number that is talked about here.
Matt,I have a question. Why is Warner agent telling the local media thier in San Fran one thing about 24 hours. While other outlets like Espn.NFL Network,and such say he already brushed off the 49ers and is resigning with Cards? I'm confused.
Here the link I"m talking about...
http://cbs5.com/local/kurt.warner.decision.2.949810.html
Though the chances are great he will be with Ariz next year, of COURSE there's a chance he will sign with the 49ers. As I noted in one of my comments yesterday, it all depends on Ariz's willingness to guarantee a 38 yo QB this kind of money (probably a guarantee of 11 mill or so first year and 6 mill second year). I think GB did the right thing with Favre last year - 13 mill for a QB who did have a great 2007, but did not have good years right before that. Warner had a great year last year, but had some rocky years going back FIVE years or so. The chances of Warner being able to play two more complete years are VERY slim (it would be the first in NFL history to my knowledge for a QB of his age). My guess is that Ariz will give him the bucks, because unlike GB - this is a HUGE PR thing in building a fan base for the future - building on their SB year (something GB certainly didn't have to do). And of course, Warner wants to stay in Ariz - wouldn't you if you were a QB? What is most perplexing about this whole matter is the 49ers saying they didn't make him an offer????????? You would think if they really wanted to sign him, they would have had the offer ready and pressed it on him. That does kinda sound like the FORTY NINERS don't want to guarantee him that money either - which means there is NO chance he will sign with them.
Don't do it, 49ers! Apparently starting QBs can be readily had for a high second round pick...and they'll even come with a starting linebacker!
Makes me wish the York's had followed Nancy Gay's advice and hired Pioli.
any truth to the report from Adam Schefter that the niners have advised they are no longer interested and
are going in a different direct?
If I were Kurt Warner I would swallow my pride and go back to the Cardinals. He can't leave that situation, and we know he's not ready to retire. Nobody cares if he swallows his pride on this.
Matt, How did you end up getting the pea out?
Matt, any word on Demetric Evans?
Our 49ers are a team lost in the wilderness, and the compass is in the hands of Jed the boy-king, McSpineless, and the reverend Mike. If anyone has confidence in these three incompetents, please let me know what drugs you are on so we can have an intervention!
Why are we still talking about this nonsense?
Hey Matt, Call me luny too but I think you're on to something. Usually Adam Schefter is right about 99.9% of the time. And as you may or may not know, Adam believes Warner will return to the Cardinals. But You Matt are equally as right as Schefter and since you are the local beat writer and blogger, I have to believe you're correct in your feelings. Despite the obvious, I have had a funny feeling myself, that Warner is going to wear the red and gold. I think me and you maybe the only two that think so, and more than likely we are both wrong but when I close my eyes I see Warner throwing touchdowns for the 49ers. If we're both wrong oh well, but something smells fishy in Arizona.
Hope you didn't lose any sleep over this one, Matt. There is ZERO chance that Warner signs with the 49ers.
He was upset and dragged his wife to SF. He listened and quickly became aware that he had a compelling option in the 49ers. He and his agent used that info to suck out a few more mil out of the Bidwells.
Matt,
The Fact that Arizona has accepted the counteroffer yet makes me think the 49ers have a chance.
Montana to Clark,
I have GREAT GREAT memories of the 49ers past too, but you have to quit living in it. That is the biggest problem with the 49ers right now, we as fans always want to bring up how great things were in the past but the past gets further and further away with everyday. This is a new era of 49ers football and Jed York with Mike Singletary is a REALLY GOOD START!
Matt,
The SF Chron reported yesterday that no offer was ever made (per McCloughan) to Warner & his agent from the 49ers so if that's the case then how is it possible to get a good read on the 49ers signing Warner? I still think it was a pipe dream right from the get-go.
Jeez . . . despair much? 5-3 after the bye was enough to avoid my inner Drama Queen.
"Be prepared to read pure lunacy." -- MM late at night.
No, Matt, we're the lunatics and you are the trusty and beloved warden. Thanks for all your work and intelligent insights.
Jerry
That's because Brenda wears the pants in that family. She tells Kurt, the Agent, and the team what to do.
I want the 49ers to be successful, but take a step back and look at the organizational structure. Sitting on Jennifer Montana's lap does not qualify someone to run a team. As far as the reverend Mike is concerned, I hope I am wrong, but again I do not think he is qualified to be a head coach. That 5-4 record was a mirage. Look at the teams that the wins came against. Add to those two unqualified people the lack of a top experienced football person at the top of the organization, and rational thought brings comparisons to Mike Brown's Bengals. If the 49ers had hired Pioli, I think all 49er fans would be much more optimistic.
Question: How did you end up getting the pea out?
My response: For those not on Facebook, I had an issue last night. I made dinner for the girls and next thing I know, my 4 year old has a pea stuck in her nose. That thing was wedged in there really far.
So, I called the doctor. She told me to give my daughter a "blow kiss." So I plugged her left nostril and blew into her mouth with a great deal of force. The pea came shooting out . . . unfortunately, so did a lot of other "stuff." All is well. Thanks for asking. --Matt M.
And we'd have Matt Cassell as our QB now.
I don't think it's lunacy, either. The new proposal to AZ effectively forces them to guarantee 6-7 million more than their previous offer AND pretty much forces them to keep Warner at QB for the next two years, thus wiping out most of their investment in Leinart. The Bidwills do not like to part with nickels, let alone millions (for Warner and for Leinart). A part of me thinks that the offer is an attempt to keep Warner's good guy image intact in AZ because he's already decided he's going to sign with SF. Whatever, it's good theater, high drama, and intrigue. Only a grump would be failing to enjoy it.
I have to say that "there is still a chance" reminds me of the line from the movie, "Dumb and Dumber."
Perhaps the problem with SF is they cannot promise Kurt #13?
Matt, great late night comments. I have been tossing and turning myself over this. It needs to be over. Hopefully today
LOL. I'll have to remember the blow kiss strategy!
Without a doubt, the Cardinals can screw this one up. I think it's a win/win for the 49ers.
1. Warner signs with us. Obviously, that's a win.
2. Warner signs a huge contract with the Cardinals because they have to honor Warners value. Strangely enough, the Cards don't have a lot of cap room. And if they want to resign Boldin, I'm not sure they can afford to do much else.
BUT, I'm also concerned if we wait for Warner to figure things out, we may not be able to afford signing other impact FA's such as Taylor. It's going to be a very interesting stand off to be sure. And I don't think that the 49ers will skip signing other players because of a slim chance to sign Warner. That would be foolish and out of character.
That and, I'd love to see Leinart be the Cardinals QB. I mean, "Hollywood" as he's known in AZ.
I think this has more to do with Matt Lienart than anything else.
Matt, Maybe its time for the 9'ers to move on. Let's give Pioli a call to see what it would take to get Thigpen over here.
Matt...do u really want the 49ers to sign warner and do u really think he will us?
Am I the only person who thinks that Warner is NOT I repeat NOT a good fit for the 49ers? What about him being too old and slow to be able to play under center and have 3 and 5 step drops every play? Last year with the cardinals they would go an entire game and play every down from the SHOTGUN while running the ball no more than 5 times a half!!!!!!! Warner got to sit back there spread the field (with 2 of the best receivers in the game), this allowed him A LOT more time to read the defense and decide where to go with the football..... am the only person who remembers Kurt playing for the rams and giants in years passed and being sacked almost every play and fumbling most of the times that he got sacked and then he would have the audacity to throw 2-3 int's a game!!!!!!! That is the Kurt Warner we will see in our offensive system............................. give me some facts to prove other wise