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QB Warner faces team he led to Super Bowl title

Sep 19, 2006 - 10:48 PM St. Louis (1-1) at Arizona (1-1) Sunday 4:15 pm EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Kurt Warner always will have fond memories of his time with the St. Louis Rams. Warner faces the team he guided to a Super Bowl title as the Arizona Cardinals host the Rams on Sunday in an NFC West matchup.

A former Arena Football League quarterback and grocery store clerk, Warner took the NFL by storm in 1999 while with the Rams.

After starting quarterback Trent Green went down with a knee injury during the preseason, Warner was named the starter by coach Dick Vermeil and became of the biggest success stories in NFL history.

Warner was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1999 and 2001 and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV, when he led the Rams past the Tennessee Titans. He also led the Rams to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they lost to the New England Patriots.

In six overall seasons with the Rams, Warner completed 1,121-of-1,688 passes for 15,447 yards and 102 touchdowns with 65 interceptions. He was released by the Rams in June 2004 and replaced by Marc Bulger.

After spending 2004 with the New York Giants, Warner is in his second season with the Cardinals.

Warner completed 56-of-81 passes for 612 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in two games against the Rams last season.

In a 17-12 home loss to the Rams last September 18, Warner led the Cardinals to the St. Louis 5 in the waning moments But with under 20 seconds left, he was sacked and then failed to spike the ball and stop the clock before a game-ending penalty.

On November 20, Warner threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to a 38-28 victory at St. Louis. Warner again has talent around him in the Cardinals' offense with wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald to go along with Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James.

Last Sunday, the Cardinals' offense never got untracked in a 21-10 loss at Seattle. Warner completed 24-of-38 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

After an impressive season-opening victory over Denver, St. Louis endured a 20-13 loss at San Francisco last week. The Rams allowed 17 second-half points and 360 total yards.

First-year coach Scott Linehan has delivered on his promise of bringing more balance to the St. Louis offense. Steven Jackson has carried 22 times in each game and surpassed 100 yards rushing in each contest.