Kurt Warner and Edgerrin James were castoffs. The New York Giants demoted Warner midway through the 2004 season in favor of Eli Manning. James was benched earlier this season, when the Cardinals went with rookie Tim Hightower.

Sunday, those castoffs helped Arizona get to the Super Bowl.

“I want to say Arizona Cardinals and Super Bowl in the same sentence ‘cause I like the way that sounds,” said Warner, who choked up in his postgame press conference as he spoke about his wife, Brenda. Arizona Cardinals and the Super Bowl. How about it?”

Warner is not a stranger to the Super Bowl. He won a ring during his magical 1999-2000 season with the St. Louis Rams and lost to New England in 2000-2001.

James received a Super Bowl ring from Indianapolis in 2005, but it was a token of appreciation since he came to Arizona before that championship season.

This time, the 30-year-old gets his own chance.

Sunday’s NFC championship game was James’ fourth consecutive start, including all three playoff games. He rushed 11 times for 70 yards and had a key third-down reception, but he took more pleasure in questions about how he mentored Hightower than his own redemption.

“I always think the reason they don’t help somebody is they’re afraid,” James said. “I’m not worried about my skills. I know I’ve got game. I’m not even tripping. I know I can play. That makes it even better. I can show you everything but I’m still able to play. That makes it even sweeter.”

Source: East Valley Tribune