Is Kurt Warner A Hall Of Famer?

Added on Sep 08, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

While the Arizona Cardinals desperately search to find a competent signal caller to stick under center, former quarterback Kurt Warner is kicked back enjoying his newfound retirement. Barring a heavyweight boxer-like surprise comeback, old man Warner is done with professional football. Which begs the question: Is he a surefire Hall of Famer?

On the surface, it might seem like an easy query to answer. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, a Super Bowl champion and a Super Bowl MVP. However, upon closer examination, Warner’s resume shows more than a few warts. Let’s take a look at his career stats:

Year	Starts	Record	Comp. %	Yards	TDs	Ints
1999	16	13-3	65.1	4353	41	13
2000	11	8-3	67.7	3429	21	18
2001	16	14-2	68.7	4830	36	22
2002	6	0-6	65.5	1431	3	11
2003	1	0-1	58.5	365	1	1
2004	9	5-4	62.8	2054	6	4
2005	10	2-8	64.5	2713	11	9
2006	5	1-4	64.3	1377	6	5
2007	11	5-6	62.3	3417	27	17
2008	16	9-7	67.1	4583	30	14
2009	15	10-5	66.1	3753	26	14

Warner really did take an odd path since breaking out in 1999. Most Hall of Fame quarterbacks will experience ups and downs, but very few, if any, endured such a major lull in the middle of their careers. Three brilliant seasons, three good seasons and five awful seasons. When he was great, he was one of the very best. When he was bad, he was barely a starter.

Is six impressive seasons out of eleven Canton material? Can those five years in Siberia be excluded from the review process? Does 67 wins, a 65.5% career completion percentage, 32344 yards and 208 touchdowns hold up against other Hall of Famers?

It’s an interesting debate and one that will likely divide voters. I personally think he belongs because he took two different franchises to Super Bowls and did more in six seasons than most guys do in twelve. His career passing totals are less than a thousand yards behind Steve Young, Y.A. Tittle and Troy Aikman, and are more than Sonny Jurgensen, Len Dawson and Terry Bradshaw. To clarify, all six of those quarterbacks are in the Hall of Fame. In my mind, that’s enough to give him a bust. Unfortunately, I don’t get a vote.