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Fox sports and local NY station are saying its a done deal.
Warner signs
Warner signs
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
from ESPN
Thursday, June 3, 2004
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner signed with the New York Giants in a move that gives the team a veteran quarterback in case top draft pick Eli Manning is not ready to start this season.
Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon on Thursday confirmed the signing and said Warner would be on the field with the team on Thursday morning at a closed practice.
The quarterback is scheduled to hold an afternoon news conference.
While terms of the contract were not disclosed, Warner is believed to have gotten a two-year deal that will pay him $3 million this season, including a $1.5 million signing bonus.
The signing comes a little more than 24 hours after Warner was released in a salary-cap move by St. Louis, ending an improbable run that saw the former Arena League quarterback twice take the Rams to the Super Bowl -- including a victory over Tennessee in 1999.
Warner has battled injuries the last two years. He missed half of the 2002 season with hand injuries. He lost his starting job last season after sustaining a concussion in a season-opening loss to the Giants.
Warner hasn't won a game as a starter since the 2001 season, when he led the Rams to a 14-2 record. New England upset St. Louis in the Super Bowl, denying Warner a second title.
Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, was not immediately available for comment.
Warner comes to the Giants knowing Manning is their quarterback of the future.
New York traded first-round draft picks this year and next and other choices to San Diego on draft day to acquire the rights to the Mississippi quarterback who was the No. 1 pick overall in the draft.
The Giants had hoped that Kerry Collins would mentor Manning this season. But the veteran who led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in January 2001 refused to renegotiate a contract that would have paid him $7 million in the upcoming season.
Collins was cut days after the draft, and subsequently signed with the Oakland Raiders, forcing new coach Tom Coughlin to search for a proven veteran.
Warner, who will turn 33 on June 22, is that.
After his injury troubles, Warner's days in St. Louis were numbered once Marc Bulger was given a four-year, $19.1 million contract last month.
The Rams gave Warner permission to shop himself, knowing he would be released June 1. Warner met with the Giants last month. -
Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
It's going to be odd seeing him in another uni, but we all knew it was coming. I was rather surprised that it was a 2-year deal, but as I read Warner I saw that he can have the second year voided. I thought he would want one year to play and then test the free-agent market if he had a decent year. I wish him good luck and hope he plays well.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
I'm happy for Kurt. I really am.
But more so... I'm happy that this ordeal is finally over. I said months ago that the only thing I was certain of was that the Rams should not go into the 2004 season with both Bulger and Warner. I think they made the sensible choice in going with the less expensive, younger, and (at least perceived) healthier QB. Time will tell if they made the right choice.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
I wish Kurt all the best. It'll be interesting to see how he does in New York with a less talented offensive team. Hopefully that line can keep him healthy.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
Just to keep the head scratching going, what in the world is going on with the league right now? The Giants cut Kerry Collins because he wouldn't re-negotiate his $7 million dollar contract, the Rams...well, you know all of that mess and now, Kurt picks up a possible $8 million from that same Giant team. They must really be excited about having KW or Bartelstein's one helluva an agent, or the Giants are being run by Daniel Snyder or...I don't know what.The contract is a two-year deal, voidable after the first year. Warner will make $3.5 million in salary and bonuses, and more than $8 million if he achieves all his incentives this season, a source close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
I have to admit that I'm pleased about KW getting a beefy contract. I feel bad for fans of Kordell Stewart after he sat on the market for 3 months and then signed for the veteran's minimum. As sad as it is, it's an indicator of their...well, "worth" to state the obvious, by how much they get on their contract. I still feel KW's got something left in addition to having something to prove, and it's nice to see that an NFL GM feels the same way.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
Kind of a "grass is always greener" syndrome, don't you think?Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
This is the quote from ESPN. I think the incentives are still arguable. He would have to reach ALL of them in order to make more than Collins.Warner accepted a two-year, $9.5 million contract Thursday morning that included a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $2 million base salary for this season, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. The second year is to be worth $6 million, but it is voidable, allowing Warner to be a free agent after the season.
Here's hoping KW breaks the Giants bank...LOL.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
All I have to say is thank GOD he isn't a Whiner. As much as I love KW, I really don't know what I would have done if the Whiners had made a push for him and, even worse, gotten him!
Good luck KW!Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
Great deal for Warner. He seems very confident right now. Hope he makes $8 million this coming year.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
I would think that it's the cap value that caused Collins to be cut and Warner to be signed. Even if Warner achieves all those incentives, while he'll be making more than Collins did, I'm sure it's a lower cap hit for the Giants.Originally posted by moklerman
As for the worth of the player, I definitely agree that Warner has more value than Kordell. But take into account that the Giants were really the only team that brought Warner in for a visit, and while they did offer him what appears to be a moderately signed contract, they might have been overpaying to get him off the market and ensure they get their veteran QB.
We'll never really know what exactly Warner's worth is around the league, but I think there's more to take into consideration than contract size and how long they were a free agent, even though both of those are good indicators that the Giants valued Warner quite a bit. My question is how much the rest of the league did.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
What I find fascinating is that there have been some very vocal people harping on the fact that the release of KW was justified by the lack of interest in him ... therefore, all those 'all-knowing' insiders must be right when they OPINED that KW was damaged goods, but when in point of fact negotiations got underway right away and NY just kept a poker face. Gosh, Mokerman what sense do you make of NY possibly paying KW more than whats-his-name that left AND dropping Kitna at the same time? Sure doesn't seem as if NY thought his hand was a problem. In fact they bluffed the league into thinking they weren't interested by signing Kitna!
So now KW is out of sight, out of mind. So much so that this thread got moved because he is not a Ram any longer. Neither is Cleeson but his story must be more heart-warming so threads about him should stay. Nice suppression. It won't be long when KW won't even get any credit for his contribution. It will be sMartz, sMartz, sMartz.
Well there was a problem in the mid-west. But it didn't go away when KW was released. It still remains at Rams Park. You have nothing to prove in NY Kurt. But no matter what they are saying now about Eli, NY is much more sophisticated than St. Louis, if you lead them to the prmoised land and return with the Holy Grail you'll get better treatment. Best of evrything to you Kurt.
"It is the image in the mind that binds us to our lost treasures, but it is the loss that shapes the image." - COLETTEComment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
I guess all the same can be said about Bulger. Cause he doesn't exsist in some of your eyes. Lets all wait until he leads us to the promise land until we give him his just dues.
Please; we have heard about how great Warner is this and that. So much for the June 1st date of this issue being dead and gone.
I have an idea. Lets all fund our money together and build a statue in front of The Ed in honor of Kurt. A true american hero.
Winning I guess had nothing to do with Faulk, Bruce, Holt and the rest. Hummm The 1999 St. Louis Warners.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
Wraith-away:
My point is still very simple ... KW's release IS a legitimate topic of discussion on the ClanRam board itself. Not because of his abilities vis-a-vis Bulger, but because it goes to the heart of Rams Park - the decision-making process, or even lack thereof.
KW's release is nothing more than an example that will validate one point of view one way or another. It will demonstrate that the failure to win a 2nd SB, despite the talent that was kept together, was a product of stupidity or just the dumb-luck of a mis-understood genius.Comment
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Re: Former Ram Related (FRR)-Warner signs
one COULD argue that the failure to win another Super Bowl was because of a broken down old quarterback and the distraction it caused.
This is a no win argument that has been going on for 9 months. The chapter should be closed and we now should be able to move on. We will see if this was a good move or a bad move in a few months, the fact remains he is no longer a Ram and we have beat the issue to death.
P.S.- Cleeland still counts, he hasn't been picked up yet ;-)
P.S.S.- When Warner retires we can all sit back and talk about the good old days. My personal opinion---he should have went out when the getting was good, even if he is back to "normal" he will not have a good line and a great set of recievers. Ask Jordan if he regrets not staying out. Warner was great because the TEAM was great, just like Aikman, Elway, Montana. You can not put up freakish numbers without help. Why do you think Marino was never effective enough.Comment
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Giants sign Kurt Warner
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
June 3, 2004
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner signed with the New York Giants in a move that gives the team a veteran quarterback in case top draft pick Eli Manning is not ready to start this season.
Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon on Thursday confirmed the signing and said Warner would be on the field with the team on Thursday morning at a closed practice.
The quarterback is scheduled to hold an afternoon news conference.
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While terms of the contract were not disclosed, Warner is believed to have gotten a two-year deal that will pay him $3 million this season, including a $1.5 million signing bonus.
The signing comes a little more than 24 hours after Warner was released in a salary-cap move by St. Louis, ending an improbable run that saw the former Arena League quarterback twice take the Rams to the Super Bowl -- including a victory over Tennessee in 1999.
Warner has battled injuries the last two years. He missed half of the 2002 season with hand injuries. He lost his starting job last season after sustaining a concussion in a season-opening loss to the Giants.
Warner hasn't won a game as a starter since the 2001 season, when he led the Rams to a 14-2 record. New England upset St. Louis in the Super Bowl, denying Warner a second title.
Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, was not immediately available for comment.
Warner comes to the Giants knowing Manning is their quarterback of the future.
New York traded first-round draft picks this year and next and other choices to San Diego on draft day to acquire the rights to the Mississippi quarterback who was the No. 1 pick overall in the draft.
The Giants had hoped that Kerry Collins would mentor Manning this season. But the veteran who led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in January 2001 refused to renegotiate a contract that would have paid him $7 million in the upcoming season.
Collins was cut days after the draft, and subsequently signed with the Oakland Raiders, forcing new coach Tom Coughlin to search for a proven veteran.
Warner, who will turn 33 on June 22, is that.
After his injury troubles, Warner's days in St. Louis were numbered once Marc Bulger was given a four-year, $19.1 million contract last month.
The Rams gave Warner permission to shop himself, knowing he would be released June 1. Warner met with the Giants last month.-06-03-2004, 06:54 AM -
Warner becomes caretaker QB until Manning ready
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
June 3, 2004
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 to take over.
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 the two-time NFL MVP will play for the Giants for more than a year.
When Manning is ready to go, he will be the Giants' quarterback.
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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 on Tuesday.
``I am looking to come in and to play and to re-establish myself,'' Warner said at 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 on 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 did not start for the rest of the year. He...-06-03-2004, 02:58 PM -
By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch
06/01/2004
Officially, quarterback Kurt Warner's record-setting days with the Rams will end today. Unofficially, the tie was cut Tuesday.
According to agent Mark Bartelstein, the Rams informed the league Tuesday afternoon of Warner's release. Bartelstein said Rams executive Jay Zygmunt told him that the team had completed "the process of releasing Kurt."
Zygmunt, president of football operations, declined to confirm whether the paperwork had been filed with the NFL. But Zygmunt acknowledged that as of today, Warner no longer will be a member of the Rams.
Today marks the first day that teams can release players with multiyear contracts and have the salary-cap hit spread over two years instead of one. Warner's release will cost the Rams $4.6 million this year and $6.7 million in 2005.
Under league guidelines, the close of business Tuesday in New York, home of the NFL offices, was at 3 p.m. (St. Louis time). So the Rams could have notified the league of Warner's release after that time, as Bartelstein indicated, and the transaction technically would be dated today.
Whatever the timing of the move, Warner is heading elsewhere after six seasons in St. Louis. Bartelstein said Warner, who was unavailable for comment, greeted the move with "a lot of mixed emotions. He's had so much success and such a great relationship with everyone in St. Louis, that's just an unbelievable chapter in his life and an unbelievable chapter in the history of the NFL. So, to leave that I think is hard.
"But he's in the prime of his career . . . so he's eager to go play football."
Warner can sign with another team as early as this afternoon.
"Kurt wants to get something done quickly," Bartelstein said.
Although Bartelstein said several teams are interested in Warner, the New York Giants are expected to get his name on a contract - probably for one year, at about $3 million - before the end of the week.
"Kurt and I kind of have a preference of what we think is the best fit, and we're going to see if we can get that worked out," Bartelstein said. "If we can, great. If not, there are other choices."
Warner, who will turn 33 on June 22, could emerge as the starter for the Giants, who released incumbent Kerry Collins after trading for Eli Manning, the No. 1 overall selection in the April draft. Warner's broader role would be as a mentor for Manning.
"He's not going somewhere just to be a mentor; he's going to go somewhere to play and to try to win," Bartelstein said. "If Kurt Warner plays next year the way he's capable of playing and he helps the team win, and win big, it doesn't really matter who's waiting in the wings. Kurt's going to be the guy."...-06-01-2004, 11:38 PM -
Warner must prove he can still produce
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The Giants are hoping that Kurt Warner will take better care of the ball.
On the New York Giants' Web site Thursday morning, a hastily photographed digital image of the franchise's newest starting quarterback appeared -- Kurt Warner in a red practice jersey bearing his familiar No. 13.
Given the recent performance of the all-time league leader in passing efficiency -- remember, this is a player who hasn't won a game as a starter since 2001 -- both the color of the practice shirt and the numerals emblazoned on the front and back of it might, alas, prove pretty appropriate.
The Giants are hoping that Kurt Warner will take better care of the ball.
The Giants wear blue uniforms, of course, and the red practice jersey is a universal "don't touch" cautionary measure designed to keep pass rushers from jostling the quarterback. As for the No. 13, well, surely the most non-superstitious among us understands its ominous implications. Even the great Dan Marino, who also thumbed his nose at fate by donning No. 13 for all 17 of his mostly brilliant seasons, eventually could not elude the misfortune attached to those dire digits.
And so, while we hope we're wrong about this, given that Warner is a good guy and one who couldn't depart St. Louis before first passing through the Rams' complex to visit with the people who served as his support group for six seasons, that red practice shirt and the No. 13 represent an ominous beginning to the next chapter of his career.
During an afternoon news conference, a smiling Warner noted Giants officials were kind enough to allow him to retain his favorite uniform number. Maybe a change of scenery, though, begged for a change from the recently cursed 13. Warner also noted that, after starting just one game in 2003, it is time to get his feet wet again. But should he spend much of '04 submerged beneath the opposition pass rush, desperately trying to tread water behind New York's remodeled offensive line, Warner might someday look back on the irony of his words.
Make no mistake, signing Warner to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million -- which, in reality, is a one-year deal at $3 million, since the second year is voidable -- was a solid enough gamble by New York. But there is no mistaking as well that Warner, who will turn 33 in a couple weeks and who was sacked six times while throwing but one touchdown pass in 2003, isn't the same guy who claimed two league MVP awards and led the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV championship.
Once the ego of Kerry Collins kept him from collecting a $7 million paycheck this year for introducing the Tutor Dynasty at Giants Stadium, serving as a grizzled starter/mentor to Eli Manning, the team sought Neil O'Donnell for that position. When he declined, and it became clear Warner...-06-08-2004, 09:52 AM -
By R.B. Fallstrom
Associated Press
06/01/2004
Kurt Warner's storybook stay with the Rams is expected to end today.
The anticipated release of the two-time NFL MVP, who led the Rams to two Super Bowls but has struggled the last two seasons, would signal the final endorsement of Marc Bulger as the team's No. 1 quarterback. Bulger took over as the starter for good after Warner fumbled six times, perhaps while playing under the effects of a mild concussion, in last year's season opener.
Bulger, who is 18-4 as the regular-season starter, signed a four-year, $19.1 million contract in April as the first major sign that Warner would not be back. The team also signed backup Chris Chandler to a free-agent deal, and excused Warner from a three-day minicamp last month.
Team spokesman Duane Lewis said the Rams had no news conference scheduled. The team could make the move as early as 3 p.m. St. Louis time.
"It's going to happen today," said Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent. "It's been an unbelievable chapter in his life. He had tremendous success and it's been a wonderful time."
Warner has been given permission to talk with several teams, most prominently the New York Giants, who need a mentor for Eli Manning. Warner could not sign with another team until 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Bartelstein said four or five teams remained in the running for Warner's services. He expected Warner would sign by the end of the week.
"Kurt wants to get something done quickly and start getting acclimated with his new team," Bartelstein said. "Everyone has different things to offer."
Warner, who turns 33 on June 22, led the Rams to Super Bowls in 1999 and 2001, but has been plagued by injuries since.
By waiting until now to cut Warner, the Rams will spread their salary cap hit over two years instead of one. He'll cost them $4.6 million this year and $6.7 million in 2005. His contract called for a $9.5 million salary this year.
Warner, undrafted out of Northern Iowa but an Arena League star, got the Rams' starting quarterback job in 1999 after Trent Green had a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. The Rams had endured a decade of losing seasons before Warner led the NFL with 41 touchdown passes, helping the team finish 13-3.
Warner also was the Super Bowl MVP after a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
In 2001, Warner led the Rams to a 14-2 record, although St. Louis lost to the underdog New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Nothing much has gone right for Warner since then. He missed half of the 2002 season with hand injuries, throwing only three touchdown passes with 11 interceptions. That gave Bulger his first chance to shine with victories in his first six career starts.
Warner appeared to have regained...-06-01-2004, 10:27 AM
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