NFL notebook: Even banged up, Warner shows he still has it
The man at the controls of the Arizona Cardinals’ offense in the team’s climb into playoff contention says he feels no self-satisfaction in showing that he still has what it takes to play quarterback in the NFL.
“That never really was a question in my mind,” Kurt Warner said after practice Wednesday at Tempe, Ariz., “but I think I can get personal satisfaction if we just keep winning.”
Playing with a torn ligament in his left, non-throwing elbow, the 36-year-old quarterback has filled in for injured starter Matt Leinart and directed the Cardinals to consecutive victories to put the team at 5-5, one game behind first-place Seattle in the NFC West.
The former NFL and Super Bowl MVP is epitomizing the kind of tough team first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt wants to build in the mold of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was offensive coordinator before coming to Arizona.
And Warner is not the only one playing hurt. Anquan Boldin has an aching hip, Larry Fitzgerald a sore shoulder and Karlos Dansby an injured knee.
“When you get guys who are doing that, it kind of sets the bar for everyone else,” Whisenhunt said. “It makes it hard for guys to complain or want to come out. That’s what I’m used to being around. That’s the atmosphere we’re trying to create.”
Testaverde is clear No. 1
For weeks, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox has been careful not to name a No. 1 quarterback, saying the decision to use Vinny Testaverde or David Carr would be based on their health.
After both players practiced, Fox made it clear: He’s going with the 44-year-old.
“Right now, if everybody is healthy, Vinny will be the starter,” Fox said.
While not unexpected, the move is an indictment of Carr, who the Panthers signed to a two-year deal in the off-season to back up Jake Delhomme. Since Delhomme was lost to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3, Carr has sustained two concussions and a back injury.
But when he’s played, he’s been ineffective, struggling to find receivers and appearing skittish in the pocket.
Around the league
RB Adrian Peterson was on the field for the first part of Minnesota’s practice, though he remained a “long shot” to play Sunday after partially tearing a lateral collateral ligament in his right knee two weeks ago. … Eagles QB Donovan McNabb didn’t practice (ankle, thumb), and is questionable for this weekend’s game against the Patriots. Backup A.J. Feeley would start for McNabb. … Tennessee RB Chris Henry dropped his appeal and started serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.