Report: Cardinals QB Warner expected to retire
The agent for Kurt Warner yesterday said that the Cardinals' 38-year-old quarterback will hold a news conference Friday in Tempe, Ariz., to announce whether he will retire. Mark Bartelstein declined to reveal Warner's decision.
ESPN.com reported that the widespread assumption is Warner will quit. According to ESPN, sources said an indication of his intentions is that he has begun gathering his family members so they can attend.
Warner, who has led two franchises to the Super Bowl and one to the championship, has strongly considered exiting after a season in which he missed a game with a concussion.
Warner has one year, worth about $11.5 million, on his contract. But the day after Arizona's playoff loss to the Saints, he said money would not be a significant factor in his decision.
AFC receiver Chad Ochocinco tested his punting leg, then later tried out as a TV commentator. The NFC defense lined up with three No. 90s side by side. The Pro Bowl is always different, even at practice, and this year's game is different from other Pro Bowls. NFL All-Stars held their first workouts in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for Sunday's showcase.
As a one-year experiment, the game has been moved to Miami from Honolulu, its home since 1980. And for the first time, it's being played the week before the Super Bowl, not the week after. The NFL expects a sellout, and the crowd of more than 70,000 will be the largest for a Pro Bowl since 1959 in Los Angeles.
Around the league
Browns president Mike Holmgren hired Mark Schiefelbein away from Green Bay to be Cleveland's vice president of football operations . . . Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin will have knee surgery and might not be ready for the start of next season.