Cards notebook: Team, Warner eye contract extension

The Cardinals and Kurt Warner said Monday they will try to work out a contract extension for the quarterback by the time training camp starts in late July.

Warner, who would like a two-year contract, said, "I want to be in a situation where I'm comfortable. I kind of want to know my future.

"A lot of it will be dictated by what kind of plans they have for me here. I think the contract is going to allow me to see what they're thinking for me moving forward."

Warner said he doesn't want negotiations to drag into the season. At that point, "I just want to be about football. I don't want to have to worry about that."

Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said formal discussions haven't yet started, but "we're going to try to work to get it done (by training camp)."

Warner is entering the final year of his contract. Any new contract almost certainly would work on two possible pay scales, depending on whether Warner ends up as the starter or No. 2 quarterback.

"We're willing to work with the situation," Warner said.

Matt Leinart is the starter heading into the season, though coach Ken Whisenhunt reiterated Monday that Warner will be a serious competitor for the job.

BERRY RETURNS

Bertrand Berry, whose 2007 season ended after nine games because of a triceps injury, returned to full practice level Monday.

After enjoying a Pro Bowl season in 2004, the defensive end/linebacker has had his seasons cut short three straight years with injuries.

He's averaged nine games played those three years.

As for 2008, "I guess I would have to say it's a little different in that I want to finish it. That's about the only difference.

"In previous years, I never really thought about it."

Rather than be cut, Berry signed a one-year deal for $1 million. He is expected to compete for playing time, though he's not assured of a starting spot.

"He moved well," Whisenhunt said. "I was excited to see him out there."

LEINART ON LEINART

Leinart suggested Monday that personal matters hurt his play last year.

In an apparent reference to a custody battle with the mother of his child that was settled early in training camp, Leinart said, "I had some personal stuff going in my life that was difficult.

"I wasn't used to being able to balance all of that. That's something I've learned over the past year.

"It's become a lot easier."

Leinart also suggested that he was limited during the 2007 offseason because he hadn't fully recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in the next-to-last game of his rookie season in 2006.

"Last summer and the offseason was difficult because I was still hurt from the year before."

Leinart started the first five games of 2007 before he was sidelined with a season-ending collarbone injury.