The Cardinals signed veteran Tim Rattay Tuesday to be Kurt Warner's backup, while at the same time placing Matt Leinart on injured reserve.
The Cardinals have a new backup quarterback. Their top quarterback, meanwhile, is done for the year.
Tim Rattay signed a one-year contract Tuesday, the same day the Cardinals placed Matt Leinart on injured reserve with his broken collarbone – a move that ends Leinart's season.
Rattay was signed after a brief workout in front of coach Ken Whisenhunt, general manager Rod Graves and other offensive coaches. He'll back up the new starter, Kurt Warner.
"I was in San Francisco when (Warner) was in St. Louis when they were really going," Rattay said after his workout. "I have admired him from afar. Just to be around him and learn from him would be great."
The Cards were also interested in looking at veteran Vinny Testaverde, but Testaverde removed himself from consideration Tuesday morning.
"(Rattay) has competed in this league and he has started in this league," Whisenhunt said. "That will help him pick up the offense. Just the way he understands the game … You see it on tape, that's why we were interested in him."
Signing Rattay wasn't the Cards' only move. The team also brought in veteran offensive lineman Keydrick Vincent and added a practice squad quarterback, Matt Baker.
Baker played under offensive coordinator Todd Haley when Haley was in Dallas last season.
In addition to putting Leinart on IR, the team released center Chukky Okobi. The team also cut quarterback Lang Campbell and receiver Matt Trannon from the practice squad.
Rattay was released by Tennessee after training camp. He has spent the past few weeks helping his father Jim, who is the head coach at Phoenix Christian, the private high school where Tim Rattay played. He said he has stayed in shape in part by throwing to the high school players at the school.
"This is a great opportunity," Rattay said.
Rattay was drafted by San Francisco in 2000 and played there before being traded to Tampa Bay during the 2005 season. He signed as a free agent in Tennessee over the summer but was cut when the Titans chose to go with two quarterbacks on the roster.
Vincent was signed for depth with starting right tackle Levi Brown (ankle) and his backup, Elton Brown (knee), both gimpy. Vincent played for Pittsburgh from 2001-2004 under current Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm.
"I have been waiting this whole time since I have been cut wanting to go to the right situation," said Vincent, who had been cut by Baltimore at the end of training camp.
Vincent, a natural guard, said he was willing to play wherever he was needed.
"I can play quarterback, I can play running back, I can play receiver," Vincent joked, before adding, "I have been with Russ for a long time. I trust Russ' judgment on places he wants to put me. I can trust his coaching on that."
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 10/9/07
