Swag Award of the Week March 1-March 7

Kurt Warner is the 'Swag Award' winner for this week, and he earned it. His story may have gone under a lot of your radars this week with the likes of T.O., A-Rod, and Manny all vying for the lion's share of media coverage.

Warner announced this week that he would in fact be staying with the Arizona Cardinals instead of leaving for another team via free agency.

The Cardinals signed the 38-year old Warner to a two year, $23 million deal. Of that $23 million, $19 mil is guaranteed; $4 million a year salary and a $15 million signing bonus. Not bad Kurt.

Warner, the three time league MVP is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro throwing for nearly 5,000 yds and 30 touchdowns. Warner was about two and a half minutes from winning his second Super Bowl as well, but an impressive drive by the Steelers capped off by an impressive catch by Santonio Holmes sealed Arizona's fate.

Now, I'm not giving Kurt the Swag Award simply because he signed a contract this week. Manny Ramirez signed an even bigger deal for $45 million. Kurt Warner earns the Swag Award because of the way he handled the situation.

After stating that he wanted to retire as a Cardinal, Warner and the organization could not reach an agreement over contract negotiations. Warner went so far as to test the free agent waters by making a visit to Arizona's NFC West rival, San Francisco 49ers.

After the visit, Warner and his agent Mark Bartelstein did the right thing and resumed negotiations with the team. Warner even offered to take LESS money in order for the team to have more funds to keep talented WR Anquan Boldin on the squad. Boldin along with Larry Fitzgerald formed one of the most prolific wide receiver tandems in the league last year.

Talk about a company man. After losing the Super Bowl and many key coaches and players from last year's team this offseason, Kurt Warner remained loyal to the franchise, overcame his ego, and even offered to accept less money to remain with the team. How's that for swag?

That's what I'm talking about Kurt. Everyone in the league is paid, and the AZ Cardinals have a good thing going right now. There's no doubt in my mind that with Warner back under center, the Cards can't make another run at the postseason. It would have been a shame to see him finish his career with another team. 

It is for those reasons that Kurt Warner earns this weeks Swag Award.