OPINION

By Vinnie Iyer

updated 4:37 p.m. ET July 1, 2008

Only eight NFL quarterbacks threw more touchdown passes than the Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner (27) last season. That's impressive, especially considering he got in a full day's work in only 13 games.

Still, it was not impressive enough for Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt to name Warner his starting quarterback for '08. Instead, Warner is in a hard fight with third-year man Matt Leinart, who would get the nod if the season started tomorrow.

Leinart and Warner are in a close race, one that won't be decided until deep into training camp. For a rising 8-8 team, whomever Whisenhunt picks to start at the most important position could be the difference between contention and regression.

First, why is Leinart, despite limited production in two years and injury issues (sprained left shoulder, broken left collarbone) even beginning training camp as the No. 1 quarterback? Well, when you use a No. 1 draft pick on a high-profile player from a high-profile college, you don't give up on him easily, especially when he is 25 with great potential.

Warner turned 37 last month, and his best years are behind him. Warner still can put up prolific numbers, but he also still can succumb to ugly sacks and turnovers that could cause a coach to bench him for good. He is an attractive backup but not someone you want out there for long stretches of the season, taking a lot of lumps.

Leinart, the lefthander, hasn't proved to be durable, taking two major blows to the side of his throwing arm. He says he is healthy and ready to get back with the flow of the offense.

Neither quarterback can complain about the Cardinals' skill players on offense. There's Edgerrin James to take pressure off them in the running game and the wide receiver combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in the passing game.

So answering the quarterback question comes down to where the Cardinals think they are going this season.

They know what they will get if Warner plays. He'll be great in half the games and throw away the game the other half of the time. If Warner wins the QB derby, the team will have the look of another mediocre season and possibly steal a game or two more to get a wild-card berth.

A better goal than a potential one-and-done playoff appearance would be to groom Leinart through a full season, hoping he develops into a fine starter for Year 4. It's unlikely the Cardinals will dethrone the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West this season, but Seattle just might be ready to abdicate without Mike Holmgren in '09.

If Whisenhunt commits to Leinart for the long term, the young team could become a consistent contender as it builds its level of experience.

We all know Warner is a stopgap, at best.

Cardinals officials will do everything possible to help Leinart win the job, including not quite coming to terms on a contract extension with Warner just yet. Leinart needs to start and stay on the field unless injured. Returning to the platoon situation, where Warner is used as a two-minute or hurry-up specialist, will set back Leinart and the team in the long term.

Warner probably would put up better statistics over 16 games than Leinart, but Cardinals officials should be patient and allow Leinart to grow. Leinart was a tough winner in his days at USC, and just taking everything that comes with a full season will make him better by the end of it.

The bottom line: Warner's time is only now. Leinart is the one who could provide many great years down the line. For the sake of the Cardinals' big picture, Leinart is the right choice.

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