Anderson to start Saturday!

[Russ Smith]

I don't know what to make of it and clearly neither did Somers since he clearly said he doesn't know if this permanent or just "flipping the script."

My concern is if Whiz believes Derek Anderson is our best QB, that scares me because I think Anderson is what he showed in Cleveland, a strong arm but very inaccurate and takes tons of risks out there.

I still think Matt is the better QB but I guess we'll find out what Whiz feels.

 

[PoolBoy]

Matt needs to stop moping, Whiz is trying to light a leadership fire under Matt that derek has.

 

[stewdog1]

We are entitled to our opinions.

Of course you are.

 

[Zeno]

Well so far the second OL is blocking better than the first OL, Beanie is a better RB than HT and with Fitz, Doucet, Roberts & Mougey all out the #2 WRs could be almost identical to the #1's (with the exception of Breaston) just based on total numbers...maybe this will work out for Leinart. Just trying to put an optimistic spin on it.

Maybe Whisenhunt is trying to see if the problem really is the QB or his surroundings.

 

[stewdog1]

Matt needs to stop moping, Whiz is trying to light a leadership fire under Matt that derek has.

Yep. You gotta show you want it. Leinart looks like he'd rather be elsewhere.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Bad move whis, bad move...Why is everything done to test how Leinart is going to react? Whis is playing too many mind games with Matt.

Open up the playbook a little and see what he does, then if he fails move one. This is weird.

If coach is so down on Leinart, why in the world has the team gone through the trouble of completely reshuffling the line? Why did the team not make a hard push for McNabb or Campbell if they werent totall committed to Matt?

I have trusted Whis for a long time, but I am really left scratching my head. Derek Anderson flat out sucks! If the team wants a big arm in there, put Skelton in for christ sake; at least he has upside.

 

[Shane]

We are entitled to our opinions.

And this year is a big test for Wiz - was it him, Kurt, or a combo??

You really dont know that answer to that yet? Just look at Kurt the 3 years prior to Whiz. there is your answer.

 

[Dayman]

I agree with 97% of Whis' decisions, but I'm wholeheartedly against this one. If Whiz has such little faith in Leinart after two preseason games without two of his top three receivers, then the FO should have done much more to solidify the position than adding Derek f-ing Anderson. The same Derek Anderson who missed two open receivers in the end zone last game. I guess that's enough to win a starting job right now. And I do believe Anderson will be the starter. Matt is clearly lacking confidence. I don't see a trip to the bench helping him out any in that department.

To me, this is a lot like the Dirk Johnson situation a couple years ago, only on a much grander scale. Remember when everyone wondered what Whis saw in the guy, but most of us trusted the decision anyway? How did that one work out?

 

[MadCardDisease]

I don't know what to make of it and clearly neither did Somers since he clearly said he doesn't know if this permanent or just "flipping the script."

My concern is if Whiz believes Derek Anderson is our best QB, that scares me because I think Anderson is what he showed in Cleveland, a strong arm but very inaccurate and takes tons of risks out there.

I still think Matt is the better QB but I guess we'll find out what Whiz feels.

Whiz is frustrated with Anderson. In fact he yelled at him yesterday after he again threw the ball too hard. So I don't think Whiz is that high on Anderson. Maybe he wants to see if Anderson is worth keeping on the roster.

 

[AZ Sports Native]

Whiz is frustrated with Anderson. In fact he yelled at him yesterday after he again threw the ball too hard. So I don't think Whiz is that high on Anderson. Maybe he wants to see if Anderson is worth keeping on the roster.

Exactly. This seems to make a lot of sense.

 

[Shane]

I have trusted Whis for a long time, but I am really left scratching my head. Derek Anderson flat out sucks! If the team wants a big arm in there, put Skelton in for christ sake; at least he has upside.

No reason to stop trusting him now. None whatsoever. If you are saying that about DA what does that say for matt? The YPA for career are very close. DA has a better TD to INT ratio. Matt is 5% better in comp %. But come on DA played in fricken Cleveland weather and much shiddier WR's.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

You heard it here first:

With DA at the helm, working with the first team, we'll score 17 points in our first 4 possessions.

So long Matt, my grand-daughter still has your jersey.

 

[Russ Smith]

Whiz is frustrated with Anderson. In fact he yelled at him yesterday after he again threw the ball too hard. So I don't think Whiz is that high on Anderson. Maybe he wants to see if Anderson is worth keeping on the roster.

Certainly possible. That's the thing the national media is going to say I told you so Leinart is toast, but this may have nothing to do with Matt and everything to do with Anderson.

Whiz may be thinking I really like Skelton and Hall, would I be absolutely crazy keeping both of them? And if so, you gotta give Anderson lots of reps so you can try and trade him.

No idea what this means, but I know the national media will assume it's the end of Leinart in Arizona.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I see disaster written on this (for Matt). He doesn't respond well to tough love.

Then he should find another profession.

 

[nashman]

After think for a few minutes about it it means NOTHING! Whiz I think just realizes with the current state of the Oline and offensive weapons not playing why put Leinart in againts the Bears 1's and risk injury. Think he is just playing safe and getting a little look at Anderson against a real defense not second or third teamers to see if he is worth keeping.

 

[Dayman]

mortreport Last thought from a Cardinals' insider - not even that close between DA & Leinart. Even though "no decision" made, bet on DA starting year

From Mortenson's Twitter. I rarely use emoticons, but

 

[nashman]

Once again if DA is our starter we are totally screwed! Might as well just go with the young guys because DA has PROVEN he is terrible he has had once decent year his whole career and many people say it wasn't nearly as good as the numbers looked.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Certainly possible. That's the thing the national media is going to say I told you so Leinart is toast, but this may have nothing to do with Matt and everything to do with Anderson.

Whiz may be thinking I really like Skelton and Hall, would I be absolutely crazy keeping both of them? And if so, you gotta give Anderson lots of reps so you can try and trade him.

No idea what this means, but I know the national media will assume it's the end of Leinart in Arizona.

Here is the practice report from Zeno where he saw Whiz yelling and pissed at Anderson:

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2289067&postcount=15

 

[MadCardDisease]

From Mortenson's Twitter. I rarely use emoticons, but

Mortenson is a hack so don't buy much into it.

 

[nashman]

The media thats not even here and haven't been to camp? Whatever the media is just reporting regurgitated crap they have been saying for years. They have NO idea how Matt with the starting offense (with all its weapons ie. fitz, doucet, beanie, and line thats not being shuffled) will look or compete with a REAL GAME PLAN not super basic offensive sets we have shown. Whiz never does well in preseason for a reason why show your real gameplans when it means NOTHING!

 

[WarnerHOF]

The 2010 season is probably going to be a long one but I cannot dispute Whiz' decision. Leinart has ZERO ability to get the ball downfield and give us a chance to win. Atleast we will win or die with Derek Anderson's arm.

 

[splitsecond]

Well so far the second OL is blocking better than the first OL, Beanie is a better RB than HT and with Fitz, Doucet, Roberts & Mougey all out the #2 WRs could be almost identical to the #1's (with the exception of Breaston) just based on total numbers...maybe this will work out for Leinart. Just trying to put an optimistic spin on it.

Maybe Whisenhunt is trying to see if the problem really is the QB or his surroundings.

This is exactly what I came in here to say.

Add to that, Toast hasn't had the chance to run the 2 minute drill yet, now he will. Also, he can get some playing time behind the line that has been performing better, against defenders who won't be as apt to murder him, with the exact same wide receivers he would be throwing to if he started.

Meanwhile, Anderson gets a real test to see if he is worth the money.


Whis likes to screw around and pay head games with the rest of the NFL, my money still says Toast is starting game 1, barring some unforeseen cosmic circumstance.

 

[Buckybird]

Bad move whis, bad move...Why is everything done to test how Leinart is going to react? Whis is playing too many mind games with Matt.

Open up the playbook a little and see what he does, then if he fails move one. This is weird.

If coach is so down on Leinart, why in the world has the team gone through the trouble of completely reshuffling the line? Why did the team not make a hard push for McNabb or Campbell if they werent totall committed to Matt?

I have trusted Whis for a long time, but I am really left scratching my head. Derek Anderson flat out sucks! If the team wants a big arm in there, put Skelton in for christ sake; at least he has upside.

I agree.

I really think this says the Cards want both rookies on the roster. Wiz is giving Anderson his shot to start with the #1's & IMO the poorest performer between DA & Leinart is all but cut!!! My 2 cents.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

WTF whiz is getting too cute for his own good! Matt has not even had time or players to prove anything yet. Total bs move by whiz probally going to *** with matte head even more. Dumb dumb dumb move!!!!!

???

Really?

He was named the starter in the offseason, got all the 1st team/starter reps in OTA's and camp. Started both offseason games.

He is, and has gotten his oppourtunity. He is 5 years in the league, and hasn't done anything that would hold off giving another the oppourtunity to compete for a starting job.

I am not a fan of Anderson at all, but I want the best guy to be behind center for the Cardinals.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That says all we need to know right there. The one game of the pre season that the coaches take somewhat serious and DA is starting. So much for Matty here in AZ.

Looks like Mitch is right and we can forget the whole k9 post from earlier.

Not only is Mitch correct, but it looks like Lombardi may be also. I don't see Matt taking this well, I certainly wouldn't in his shoes. Especially if, in addition to the first team defensive changes, some O changes accompany this decision (more Beanie and Lutui with the ones not to mention Fitz).

Whiz knows a lot more about football and Leinart than I do so I suspect he's making the right call but from the outside looking in it doesn't really seem that he's given Matt a fair chance to succeed. Oh well, this isn't the Special Olympics, I don't really care if Leinart is getting screwed as long as this makes us a better team.

Steve