What was expected today came to pass. The greatest quarterback in St. Louis Rams history, and Arizona Cardinals history for that matter, has retired. Kurt Warner retired from the NFL today after 12 seasons in the game. His time in St. Louis was the greatest era in local football history and he can arguably be considered the greatest quarterback for any three year stretch in NFL history. Warner should be considered a Hall of Fame quarterback and should be enshrined in Canton one day.
Earlier this month I wrote an article talking about how the Rams should be immediately calling Kurt Warner to see if he would have interest in coming back to St. Louis and becoming a member of the organization in some manner. I would hope that the Rams are doing that. Already today Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom has issued a statement wishing Kurt Warner the best and saying "Warner epitomizes the finest qualities that can be attributed to any athlete. He is a gentleman, competitor and most of all, a winner whose achievements and contributions go far beyond the field of play." Doesn't this sound like someone that needs to be a part of the St. Louis Rams organization, in some capacity, for the next decade?
With all of the accolades that are being bestowed on Warner today it does make one think about what the shape of the NFC West now looks like. Warner was by far the best quarterback in the division. Now the division is nothing but question marks at the quarterback position. Matt Leinart has not lived up to expectations in Arizona. Alex Smith has not developed fully in San Francisco. Matt Hasselbeck can't stay healthy in Seattle and the Rams don't have a quarterback. That makes me believe that 2010 will be wide open in the NFC West. Arizona has the most talent but if you don't have an engine like Warner it certainly opens things up a little bit. There is a long way to go between now and opening day but it sure seems like the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers all have to be smiling a little bit more today to see Warner retire from the NFL.
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