Who will end up starting in Arizona and how will this affect the fantasy draft?  ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported that the Cardinals have named former MVP Kurt Warner their starting QB. Since then there has been plenty of back and forth between Leinart, Warner and head coach Ken Wisdenhunt  the leadership in Arizona.

The final verdict may still be out.   However there should be no question as to who should get the starting job.  Arizona needs to call once again on Kurt Warner, former MVP and Superbowl champ. Even though injuries have cut some of the 37 year old's seasons short, he is the more reliable candidate for the job and for fantasy owners.

Warner threw for 3417 yards with 27 TDs in 14 games in 2007. He completed over 61% of his passes and only threw 17 interceptions.

Third year quarterback Matt Leinart has a 7 and 9 record as a starter in Arizona.  In five games last season he threw for 627 yards and 2 TDs.  Leinart completed 56% of his passes and threw 4 picks. In his career, he has thrown 11 TDs and 12 INTs. If there was any sign of his future, it was in preseason week 3 against the Raiders, and it was not a good one.  Leinart was 4-12 for 24 yards and 3 INTs against the Raiders 2nd team defense. When you have the receiving core like Arizona, you need a quarterback who can get them the ball. Right now Warner is that guy.  Leinart should be placed in a role as student, not leader as he continues to learn from Warner until retirement.  

Hopefully one day the Cardinals can see the light at the end of the tunnel with their first round draft pick.  Yet the writing seems to be on the wall.  This situation seems eerily familiar to the Brian Griese era in Denver.  After suffering three seasons under a guy who was never a starter, the Broncos moved on and since then Griese has toured the country as a backup.  Arizona has the ability to avoid the pain with the poise of Warner in the pocket this season.

Warner is undrafted in most fantasy leagues, yet he will be the first free agent taken in most leagues once it is announced that he is the starting QB in Arizona.