FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Kurt Warner holds little doubt that Matt Leinart is ready to start for the Arizona Cardinals. A week after his retirement, Warner sees the situation he left in Arizona as the perfect opportunity for Leinart to prove himself.

“I think he’s going to show what he can do,” Warner said. “I think it’s a different situation, where he’s going to have an opportunity to prove himself. I don’t know if he’ll be a superstar or not, but I think now is a perfect time for him to be able to step in and showcase his capabilities. And we’re going to find out very shortly — because the pieces are in place — what kind of quarterback he’s going to be for the future.”

I was able to walk-and-talk with Warner through radio row, and we only had time for the Leinart topic. But Warner seems convinced Leinart now has the attributes he needs to be successful after watching him first-hand over all four of his NFL seasons.

“I think he has all the physical tools that he needs. I think he’s grown and matured off the field, and on the field. I’ve seen him make a lot of strides over the last few years. … I think the hard thing when he first came in, with a lot of young guys, the expectations are so high for what you have to do. When he came to Arizona, we were in no position for one guy to come in and make a difference.  I think a lot of pieces are in place, and there’s not nearly as much demanded or expected of him.”

– Frank Tadych

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