Kurt Warner is playing on another level in these playoffs.

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By Ross Tucker, SI.com

While much of the debate surrounding Kurt Warner has focused on his candidacy for the Hall of Fame, the hotter topic on my Sirius NFL Radio show has been which Super Bowl quarterback you would rather have for one game: Warner or Ben Roethlisberger.

At this stage of their careers, I would take Warner. He's completely mastered offensive coordinator Todd Haley's system in Arizona and has successfully won the battle of wits with the likes of Carolina defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Warner is playing at a Peyton Manning and Tom Brady level right now when it comes to identifying and diagnosing blitz packages. His battle of the brains with Dick LeBeau on Sunday should provide for compelling theater, especially for those of us who love the game within the game.

Warner would be my choice within the framework of an organized, structured NFL game.  If I were going to play a pick-up game in my back yard or at the local playground, my choice would be Roethlisberger. As a matter of fact, I think Big Ben might be my first choice in the whole world the next time I am playing a Five-Mississippi game with my friends. Several defensive players around the NFL have told me Roethlisberger is the toughest quarterback to take down. Yes, at times he holds onto the ball too long. He takes too many sacks. But in a playground, I will take Roethlisberger and his ability to both extend and make plays.

Of course, they play in Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, not my back yard.

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