Nothing Unlucky About 13; An Unlikely MVP Candidate Emerges Out of Arizona

Kurt Warner was an MVP.  Kurt Warner was a Super Bowl champion.  Kurt Warner was a castoff.  Kurt Warner's was at the end of his career. 

Until he came to Arizona. 

The 37-year old out of Northern Iowa, who once bagged groceries part-time while playing for an Arena Football League team, has emerged from the shadows of his past to become one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.

Warner was cut by St. Louis and the New York Giants before signing with Arizona, only to have his starting job taken away by first round pick Matt Leinart.

At 37 years of age, it seemed his career was over. 

He proceeded to win the starting job this past pre-season, much to Matt Leinart's chagrin.  More than three months later, Kurt Warner is making head coach Ken Whisenhunt look like a genius. 

Warner has thrown for over 300 yards in five-of-nine contests in 2008, and has led the Cardinals to a 10-6 record in his last 16 games as the starter.

In 2008, Warner has violently shoved Arizona into a four game lead in the NFC West with a record of 6-3.  Via the arm of Warner, the Cardinals have the NFL's top ranked offense, averaging 29.2 points per game, and putting up 385 yards of total offense per contest.

The ageless quarterback has thrown for 2,760 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He has also set a career mark so far this season with a 70.6% completion percentage, tops in the NFL.

Not convinced?

Warner has posted a QB rating of over 100 in five games this season, and currently leads the NFL in that particular category with a rating of 106.4.

Most importantly, the Cardinals are winning.  Warner has this team on a roll, and they could be a dangerous team come playoff time. 

In my opinion, Warner is currently the top candidate for MVP, and is running away with it.  He is the best player on the leagues best offense, and he has done it by defying the odds. 

Forget Arena Football, forget the local grocery store, forget being cut by the team that you won a Super Bowl with, and forget having your job taken away by an immature first round draft pick whose head is about to pop. 

Forget it Kurt.

Because what you are doing right now is inspirational to every player that puts on the pads.  Every player that walks on that field and calls themselves a football player should play like number thirteen.