Posted on 06/03/2004 6:44:58 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Giants are taking some of the pressure off Eli Manning, signing Kurt Warner to be their caretaker quarterback until the top pick in the draft is ready.
While the two-time MVP got a two-year contract late Wednesday that will pay him a minimum of $3.5 million this year, there is no guarantee Warner will be with the Giants for more than a season.
When Manning is ready to go, he will be the Giants' quarterback.
Until then, the job seemingly belongs to Warner, the soon-to-be 33-year-old who led the St. Louis Rams to Super Bowl appearances after the 1999 and 2001 seasons. Injuries and the emergence of Marc Bulger earned him a pink slip Tuesday.
``I am looking to come in and to play and to re-establish myself,'' Warner said Thursday, hours after his first practice. ``I would love this to be where I finish my career.''
Warner has incentives that can push his salary to $8 million this season. However, the second year of his contract is voidable, and his tenure may well be determined by Manning's progress in his rookie season.
``I don't want to keep moving and picking up my family,'' Warner added. ``I want to continue to have success. I would love it to be here in New York and I will do whatever in my time here to be successful. We'll just see what happens.''
``Obviously Manning is there, but this is New York and if Kurt wins, they are not going to want him to leave,'' said Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent.
The signing takes a ton of pressure off Manning.
The son of Archie Manning and the brother of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning became the Giants' starting quarterback when Kerry Collins refused to take a pay cut and was released less than a week after New York got the No. 1 pick in a draft-day trade with San Diego.
Manning, who has known for weeks the Giants planned to sign a veteran, still plans on competing for the starting job.
``I don't know if this takes the pressure off,'' Manning said. ``I don't know if anything has changed in my view. I am still going to practice just as hard as ever. I want to be ready.''
Manning and Warner spoke for a few minutes Thursday. Warner plans to tutor Manning, just as he did with Bulger in St. Louis.
``To teach a guy the little things and have him become a better quarterback was fun for me, as frustrating as it was not playing,'' Warner said. ``But I look forward to helping any way I can.''
Warner also is looking forward to playing again. He suffered a concussion in a season-opening loss to the Giants last season and didn't start for the rest of the year. He missed half the previous season with injuries and lost his last eight starts, starting with the 2002 Super Bowl.
Warner said the release was a disappointing end to a career that saw the Rams win one Super Bowl and lose another on the final play of the game.
``We had so much success, and things were so great that you would like to ride off into the sunset and finish up that way,'' Warner said. ``That unfortunately didn't work out that way, but more importantly I am excited about this new opportunity because I have a lot more to play.''
The Giants are something of a question mark coming into the season.
They posted a 4-12 record last season, a year that started with Super Bowl aspirations and ended with Jim Fassel being fired and Tom Coughlin hired to replace him.
Warner thinks the Giants have a shot at winning a title this season, noting the key players are in place with Ike Hilliard and Amani Toomer at wide receiver, Jeremy Shockey at tight end and Tiki Barber at running back.
While the offensive line is a big question mark, Warner said his ability to read defenses should allow him to get rid of the ball quickly.
``We'll never be a team that settles for the doldrums and is not going to try to win,'' Barber said. ``Kurt is a Super Bowl veteran and a two-time league MVP, adding him is a big boost for our team, especially our offense.''
Coughlin said that Warner, who was given the No. 13 jersey he wore in St. Louis, showed no signs of being bothered by thumb and pinkie injuries that have plagued him in recent years.
``He looked like Kurt Warner to me,'' Coughlin said.
Ping
Semi sort of Missippy ping
kearse will give them both concussions on opening day.
Has Mrs. Warner called the NY sports talk shows yet?
Warner is SO over!
She was from Drew Mississippi. I asked if she was kin to Archie Manning, and she said "he is my cousin"
I got to looking at her and she really did look like him. At least as much as a 10 year old girl can.
Now they've all come true, eh?
Coughlin said that Warner, who was given the No. 13 jersey he wore in St. Louis, showed no signs of being bothered by thumb and pinkie injuries that have plagued him in recent years.
How about the concussion problems that lead Warner to believe he has time to do a crossword puzzle THEN look for all five receivers?
And (yawn) what of 'The Bachelor', QB Jesse Palmer?
I got to looking at her and she really did look like him. At least as much as a 10 year old girl can.
Let's pray she out grows it. :>)
lol......yeah, I suspect the team will attempt to avoid talking about that issue the best they can. If the Jints can't shore up the O-line Warner will be history by the 2nd preseason game.
MEMO TO MARK BARTLESTEIN:
At least complete a pass before you start turning Kurt Warner into football's Reggie Jackson...
And if Warner loses, he'd wish he were still back in STL hiding under the covers of his bed.
Heh -- If they retain the same offensive line, I give 'em a half.
LOL!
Hilarious!
flash . . . . pan . . . . .
the ny media will chew him up and spit him out.
neither manning is the best qb from mississippi. that
would be a guy from southern miss named favre.
The New York sports radio guys have to be salivating at this. Not so much for Kurt coming here, but Brenda coming to town! How long before she calls up Mike and the Mad Dog to complain about the way her husband is being treated?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.