Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner embraces former teammate and Rams QB Marc Bulger after the Cards' win in St. Louis this season.
When the Cardinals play the Rams, Kurt Warner insists it's just another game.
There's no drive to get back at the team that benched and eventually cut him, or need to prove anything.
"I don't even think about it unless people bring it up," said Warner, who will make his sixth appearance against the Rams Sunday. "At this point I am just so far removed from that time and place. I still think fondly about the organization but it doesn't have any bearing whatsoever. I look at myself as an Arizona Cardinal, not a St. Louis Ram."
Still, it's hard to argue with the results Warner has had against his former franchise. The Cards are 4-2 in those games Warner has quarterbacked, to go with a 91.0 quarterback rating and 10 touchdowns. Warner ripped up the Rams for 343 yards passing without a turnover in the Cards' win in St. Louis earlier this season.
Warner's current rebirth as starter even began with the Rams. Sharing time with then-starter Matt Leinart last season, Warner got the job he has not relinquished in the fifth game when Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon crashed into Leinart and broke his collarbone in St. Louis.
Warner now is an MVP candidate.
"Hey, kudos to (Kurt) for being the guy he is and being the quarterback he is," Witherspoon said.
Warner knows he's had good outings against the Rams, but he said it has "just worked out that way."
"I don't know, maybe there is something internally, sub-consciously, that is there," Warner said. "But nothing that registers with me."
LEARNING CURVE
Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was asked what he learned from the Cards' poor performance in Philadelphia, and Dockett – as usual – was blunt.
"I am a true believer in making no excuses, but I take definitely from the game, please don't let us play four days later and have us travel to the East coast," Dockett said. "That was totally unfair.
"Again, you can't make excuses. But if I took one thing that I learned, that definitely drains you, especially sitting around all day and playing at 8 at night. We don't make the schedule and we can't make excuses. Philly was definitely ready. I hope next year and years down the line, that comes into consideration. But Philly played a great game."
INJURY UPDATE
Linebacker Clark Haggans, as expected, was back at practiced in a limited capacity Thursday coming off his foot sprain. Only linebacker Pago Togafau (knee) and safety Matt Ware (facial surgery) missed practice completely, while wide receiver Anquan Boldin (back) and safety Adrian Wilson (shoulder) both were back to practicing fully. Center Lyle Sendlein (back) remained limited.
Cornerback Rod Hood (ribs) remained limited although he continued to look impressive in his work.
"I am very optimistic we will have a number of guys back," coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 12/4/08.
