A couple of observations re: Matt

[O]

Did anyone else notice after the third possession when Matt was walking off the field he clearly said **** this, then turned his head to the right and said ****…… and the camera was cut away? It looked like it was directed towards someone.
I’m not a lip reader but it was pretty evident what he said.

I’ve often wondered, over the years, why when Matt is on the sidelines we never see him with a radio listening to the plays being called. Fitz was sticking head in, the other night, trying to hear what was being called.
Aloof comes to mind.

 

[Shane]

All leads you back to this stuff. http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2290838&postcount=109

Doesnt show a true knowledge of the offense. Doesnt show true leadership when you let things like this happen on the field and run the plays.

 

[Buckybird]

I’ve often wondered, over the years, why when Matt is on the sidelines we never see him with a radio listening to the plays being called. Fitz was sticking head in, the other night, trying to hear what was being called.
Aloof comes to mind.

I have clearly seen Leinart with a radio on his hip & earplugs listening to the play calling over the years while on the pine. He also many times has been standing right beside Wiz & Haley while plays were being called.

O, your definately grasping as straws on this issue.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

He asked to go for it on fourth and one, whis shot him down and he was pissed...

I thought he said eff that and effing bull stuff.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The widespread chat from those who would ordinarily be in the know, runs along the line that Leinart simply came into this season with the belief that the job was his, period... and that he did the bare minimum this offseason and in camp. If you want to find yourself in the Whiz Doghouse, this is the quickest way there...

Seems to me Matt attempted to take the short cut to the starting QB position, and it back-fired. You would have thought he would have remembered how Kurt stole the starting job from him by outworking him. Oh well...

 

[Bert]

I too have re watched it and here is my opinion.

In the two series when we were 4th and 1, Matt loooked to the sideline on both occasions and very enthusiastically indicated that he wanted us to go for it.

On both occasions, we punted. Matt looked very frustrated. I agree with him.

We should have gone for it and tried to extend the drives. It's good practice for that situation, it's preseason, there is no reason not to go for it.

So his body language IMO coming off the field was not aloof with the game in general, but rather frustration that we didn't go for it in those situations.

That is my opinion.

Also, I too have seen Matt with his head in the headset and leaning in on Warner huddles many times in the past. People act like when they show him on the sideline he's sitting on the bench, chewing gum and reading cosmo.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I too have re watched it and here is my opinion.

In the two series when we were 4th and 1, Matt loooked to the sideline on both occasions and very enthusiastically indicated that he wanted us to go for it.

On both occasions, we punted. Matt looked very frustrated. I agree with him.

We should have gone for it and tried to extend the drives. It's good practice for that situation, it's preseason, there is no reason not to go for it.

So his body language IMO coming off the field was not aloof with the game in general, but rather frustration that we didn't go for it in those situations.

That is my opinion.

Also, I too have seen Matt with his head in the headset and leaning in on Warner huddles many times in the past. People act like when they show him on the sideline he's sitting on the bench, chewing gum and reading cosmo.

I agree...and I bet he was extra pissed after the 3rd possession, because he already knew that DA would be up next...I'm sure Whis gave them the game plan before kickoff.

 

[Shane]

I too have re watched it and here is my opinion.

In the two series when we were 4th and 1, Matt loooked to the sideline on both occasions and very enthusiastically indicated that he wanted us to go for it.

On both occasions, we punted. Matt looked very frustrated. I agree with him.

We should have gone for it and tried to extend the drives. It's good practice for that situation, it's preseason, there is no reason not to go for it.

So his body language IMO coming off the field was not aloof with the game in general, but rather frustration that we didn't go for it in those situations.

That is my opinion.



Also, I too have seen Matt with his head in the headset and leaning in on Warner huddles many times in the past. People act like when they show him on the sideline he's sitting on the bench, chewing gum and reading cosmo.

Of course you agree with him. You and every other Matt supporter.

 

[Bert]

Of course you agree with him. You and every other Matt supporter.

That's not fair Shane. I am completely willing to be objective about it.

One could argue that the Leinart haters would be slanted with their point of view in regards to this situation. The truth is that none of us are body language experts, I guess it's just how you view it. I have watched it, he's waving his arms in the air and pointing that they should go for it, if you see it differently, I guess I'm just stupid. I'm fine with that.

If you want to write my opinion off so cheaply, that's your choice. That is my honest assessment of what happened.

 

[Shane]

That's not fair Shane. I am completely willing to be objective about it.

One could argue that the Leinart haters would be slanted with their point of view in regards to this situation. The truth is that none of us are body language experts, I guess it's just how you view it. I have watched it, he's waving his arms in the air and pointing that they should go for it, if you see it differently, I guess I'm just stupid. I'm fine with that.

If you want to write my opinion off so cheaply, that's your choice. That is my honest assessment of what happened.

Pre season or not unless your belicheck a coach isn't going for it that far in their own territory. They just aren't!

 

[Bert]

Pre season or not unless your belicheck a coach isn't going for it that far in their own territory. They just aren't!

Why? I thought the preseason didn't matter? I thought it was a glorified scrimmage? You dont game plan, it's about situational practice right?

So when else can you better simulate a 4th and short simulation?

I'm not arguing with you that it's rare, I dont know those stats, I dont know if you are right or wrong, I'm simply saying that IMO we should have gone for it. We get 6 inches, we get our 1st team offense atleast 3 more reps in a real game simulation. That's what Whis says he wants.

 

[Shane]

in a real game simulation. That's what Whis says he wants.

If your acting like it's a real game situation you punt.

 

[Bert]

If your acting like it's a real game situation you punt.

I've been around long enough I know how this works Shane. You're right, I'm wrong. Gratz

 

[Buckybird]

That's not fair Shane. I am completely willing to be objective about it.

Shane's been waiting for this day to rub Leinarts supporters noses in it.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Shane's been waiting for this day to rub Leinarts supporters noses in it.

Mitch has been waiting for this day as well. Since he hasn't been around the last day or two, he may be drafting his version of the Unibomber Manifesto to unleash on the great unwashed=the Leinart supporters

 

[Shane]

Shane's been waiting for this day to rub Leinarts supporters noses in it.

Nope. Just because you have liked Matt and I haven't doesn't mean I am rubbing your nose into anything.

I am on record more than once that I wish Matt would get the start week one. if he succeeds its better for the franchise and that's all that matters. I can become a Matt fan real quick.

However don't pout and be full of sour grapes because its looking like there is a chance that your boy may not be who you thought he was going to be and may end up not being "the guy" here.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I think that anyone patting themselves on the back or "happy to be right" seriously need a reality check.

This kind of turmoil doesn't happen to teams that play into January. We are 15 days til kick off and you can't fill out large portions of your starting lineup.

This kind of turmoil shows gross incompetence on a management level. This should have been dealt with months ago. As a manager, I would never go into a critical time with a team I didn't have 100% confidence in.

This kind of turmoil saps fan enthusiasm for the upcoming season. We have people talking about the draft already for pete's sake.

This kind of turmoil only serves to divide fans who should be united in supporting the Cardinals. Hell azcentral.com has a poll that literally says "Are you with Team Matt or Team Derek". Whatever happened to "Team Cardinal"

This kind of turmoil must really suck if you took the coach at his word and went out and bought a Leinart jersey (I don't own one) to replace your Warner jersey. I saw a lot of new ones at the last game.

This kind of turmoil can lead to the same divisions within locker rooms that the fans express here. Athletes are just bigger and more eccentric versions of ourselves.

I don't mind the move, I can't stand the timing or the execution. In one fell swoop Whis has effectively tapped a large portion of the credibility he has gained in his time here. It is division champs or reputation bust.

 

[Shane]

I've been around long enough I know how this works Shane. You're right, I'm wrong. Gratz

Obviously you aren't sure. You think they should have went for it deep on their own side of the 50. just to give the O a chance.

Completely ignoring the fact that the pre-season is the time to work out the kinks for ST's as well. You have a lot of young players that you need to view in that aspect of the game as well.

We disagree. So what it's no big deal. No need to get feelings hurt my friend.

 

[Shane]

I think that anyone patting themselves on the back or "happy to be right" seriously need a reality check.

This kind of turmoil doesn't happen to teams that play into January. We are 15 days til kick off and you can't fill out large portions of your starting lineup.

This kind of turmoil shows gross incompetence on a management level. This should have been dealt with months ago. As a manager, I would never go into a critical time with a team I didn't have 100% confidence in.

This kind of turmoil saps fan enthusiasm for the upcoming season. We have people talking about the draft already for pete's sake.

This kind of turmoil only serves to divide fans who should be united in supporting the Cardinals. Hell azcentral.com has a poll that literally says "Are you with Team Matt or Team Derek". Whatever happened to "Team Cardinal"

This kind of turmoil must really suck if you took the coach at his word and went out and bought a Leinart jersey (I don't own one) to replace your Warner jersey. I saw a lot of new ones at the last game.

This kind of turmoil can lead to the same divisions within locker rooms that the fans express here. Athletes are just bigger and more eccentric versions of ourselves.

I don't mind the move, I can't stand the timing or the execution. In one fell swoop Whis has effectively tapped a large portion of the credibility he has gained in his time here. It is division champs or reputation bust.

That's just it though. They put their eggs in the Leinart basket. So far he has obviously disappointed. Cant have a perfect back up and contingency for everything. Sometimes you just hope that the guy your counting on works out. Who knows he still might. We will know week 1 no matter what.

 

[LarryStalling]

It looks to me like Whiz set Matt up to fail. Just look at the conservantive plays he has given Matt compared to the seemingly wideopen playcalling that DA and others have had. Besides the OL looked like dog poop when he was in there.

 

[Shane]

It looks to me like Whiz set Matt up to fail. Just look at the conservantive plays he has given Matt compared to the seemingly wideopen playcalling that DA and others have had. Besides the OL looked like dog poop when he was in there.

How do you know that the play calling was conservative? Can you please elaborate?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

These are the things I can not reconcile:

#1. It would be career suicide for Whisenhunt to "Set Matt up for fail". This is the Not For Long league for coaches. If the QB fails, the team fails, and thus the coach fails.

So...

#2. We can only conclude that Matt has failed. In the four years that he has been here, the coaching staff has volumes of tape and hundreds of hours spent observing him. He was on such thin ice, that those snaps he took in pre-season were his last chance.

But....

#3. This is where the gross mismanagement comes in. If Leinart failed, then it was decided based on knowledge already had and not on a few snaps in pre-season. As a manager, I am acutely aware of which of my employees has a long term future in my company and I plan for the worst. This seems like the Cardinals knew there was a problem and planned for the best. I certainly would never shake up a team during crunch time as it completely changes the focus of the team.

Thus...

#4. One must conclude that Whisenhunts bosses have flat ignored his recommendations and have saddled him with a bad employee.

So is it:

#1. Whis is a moron who actively seeks to defeat himself

#2. Whis is a foolish optomist who can't accurately forecast or prepare for issues within his team.

#3. Rod Graves is some amagalmation of the above.

It has to be one of those 3.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Pre season or not unless your belicheck a coach isn't going for it that far in their own territory. They just aren't!

But he went for it with Anderson in the same general field position...

 

[D-Dogg]

#3. This is where the gross mismanagement comes in. If Leinart failed, then it was decided based on knowledge already had and not on a few snaps in pre-season. As a manager, I am acutely aware of which of my employees has a long term future in my company and I plan for the worst. This seems like the Cardinals knew there was a problem and planned for the best.
.

This is the most maddening aspect of it all if this is, in fact, a Toast demotion for good and not a last ditch look at Anderson.

I don't feel that you can justify the move based on the preseason alone, you really can't. Neither QB has shone, so the move must have been made based on prior knowledge combined with the preseason. If the prior knowledge on Matt is that poor, then he shouldn't have made it this far through the process, not even close. He should have been given his walking papers, and two replacement options picked up this offseason. And that is the way Whis operates, for sure.

I don't know what the hell is going on, and probably never will, but the signs point to an issue deeper than what we see, and mismanagement of our assets. I agree with Chris in the view that it seems the Cards must have known there was a serious issue (either Whis knew and said so and was ignored or everyone knew) and the final management decision was to cross their fingers and hope for the best. Bizarre, but certainly not out of the norm.

We are a MUCH better run franchise now than we were 8 years ago, much better coached franchise now than ever, but there are still some head-scratching decisions creeping up from time to time, this is one of them.

 

[Matt L]

Clearly Biased Prediction:

The coaching staff is giving Derek Anderson enough rope to hang himself with. Derek Anderson was signed prior to the draft. While they knew that they were going to draft a QB, they were not sure who they would pick up. After going through OTAs and Training Camp, they determined that they liked Skelton's potential and Max Hall's moxie and determined that DA may not be needed. They want to give DA a chance with the #1's to guage how he could play if needed. If DA blows it, he is gone, if DA plays well, he stays on the roster as the backup.

Either way, I predict that Leinart is starting against St. Louis.

P.S. I hope that this does not blow up in my face!!!!