TEMPE Life after Kurt Warner has begun for the Cardinals with Matt Leinart stepping into that giant void at quarterback.

TEMPE The Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner have scheduled a news conference for 1p.m. today amid widespread speculation that the 38-year-old quarterback will announce his retirement from football.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner has not imposed a deadline for making his retirement decision, but the timing of it could be interesting, given his schedule the next two weeks.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. New York Giants receiver Steve Smith will replace Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald on the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Josten’s won’t conduct ring sizing at the Cardinals’ training facility this year, but the lack of a championship doesn’t make the 2009 season an unsuccessful one, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

TEMPE Anquan Boldin did not participate in practice Thursday and his status for Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game in New Orleans is uncertain.

TEMPE Larry Fitzgerald had a dentist appointment Monday morning. He blew it off.

TEMPE Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned to practice for the Cardinals on Thursday, but wide receiver Anquan Boldin was sidelined because of a sprained left ankle.

GLENDALE Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt insisted that Matt Leinart’s poor performance against the Packers last week did nothing to diminish his confidence in Leinart.

PHOENIX Ken Whisenhunt sat and faced the music Monday, fielding question upon question about his decision a day earlier to shelve players and the playbook in what was supposed to be a meaningless game.