Bickley's latest stab at the QB situation

[Legend of Gunny]

This was a great, great editorial by Dan Bickley.

Kent Somers, whose recent articles tend to resemble dictation for Bidwill and Leinart, doesn't have much credibility. He is attempting a balancing act of maintaining access with those who control the access (the cards' organization) and being objective at the same time.

Lately, though, he just comes across as a Bidwill organization lapdog.

Bickley is not covering the Cards as a beat writer, so he's free to write as he sees fit. And he's free to use his pen to defend the best interests of the fans (winning) against the best interests of the Bidwills (slick "face of the franchise" marketing schemes, etc.).

Thank God we have Bickley going to bat for us fans -- and not afraid to stand up to an organization that has shown so little interest in putting a winner on the field for us -- but has put a high level of interest in taking our money.

 

[CtCardinals78]

This was a great, great editorial by Dan Bickley.

Kent Somers, whose recent articles tend to resemble dictation for Bidwill and Leinart, doesn't have much credibility. He is attempting a balancing act of maintaining access with those who control the access (the cards' organization) and being objective at the same time.

Lately, though, he just comes across as a Bidwill organization lapdog.

Bickley is not covering the Cards as a beat writer, so he's free to write as he sees fit. And he's free to use his pen to defend the best interests of the fans (winning) against the best interests of the Bidwills (slick "face of the franchise" marketing schemes, etc.).

Thank God we have Bickley going to bat for us fans -- and not afraid to stand up to an organization that has shown so little interest in putting a winner on the field for us -- but has put a high level of interest in taking our money.

This same old Bidwill's crap is tired. If you excuse me...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm guessing Warner always makes time for Bickley after the games or Leinart didn't add him to the VIP list at Axis/Radius because we have been subjected to Warner fluff pieces via print and radio for months on a almost daily basis.

 

[Indiana Hoosier]

Who is this Idiot!

Posters: Who the "HELL" is this Idiot, for "PETE"S" sake we all know Leinart is our future or we have to start over. Hey, Kurt has been great but, get real his age is working against him. Whiz, did the right thing. Does anybody pay any attention to this guy?

 

[CaptTurbo]

What is wrong with what whiz said. Matt is the starter come training camp. Its Warners job to take it away. Sounds fair to me.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

This was a great, great editorial by Dan Bickley.

Kent Somers, whose recent articles tend to resemble dictation for Bidwill and Leinart, doesn't have much credibility. He is attempting a balancing act of maintaining access with those who control the access (the cards' organization) and being objective at the same time.

Lately, though, he just comes across as a Bidwill organization lapdog.

Bickley is not covering the Cards as a beat writer, so he's free to write as he sees fit. And he's free to use his pen to defend the best interests of the fans (winning) against the best interests of the Bidwills (slick "face of the franchise" marketing schemes, etc.) Thank God we have Bickley going to bat for us fans -- and not afraid to stand up to an organization that has shown so little interest in putting a winner on the field for us -- but has put a high level of interest in taking our money.

L.O.G. writes/ sounds like he/she must be on the payroll for the Republic.

 

[ajcardfan]

L.O.G. writes/ sounds like he/she must be on the payroll for the Republic.

More like Bickley's mom. Somers works for the Republic too.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

If Warner is so much better then he should go into TC playing at such a high level that they have to give him the job. And Wiz will do it if he thinks it gives the team the best chance to win. I have confidence in that.

I think Matt has heeded the call and is chomping at the bit to go back out there. Personally I can understand skepticism but I am fairly confident he will come out and play well next year. Even if he is 75% of what warner is at the beginning of TC because of Warners familiarity with the O, I still start Leinart as he will progress as the season goes by and with Warner you know what you are getting.

And if not I think Wiz will pull the plug and go to Warner before its too late. He earned that by throwing 10 TD's more than INT's. Now if he could just stop fumbling the ball we may not even be having this discussion.

Why am I confident in Matt? Because he has the intangibles, he has showed flashes in 4-5 games at home to begin his career, and he has dealt well with adversity in his past. And between us - I like somone as accomplished as Leinart having a BIG chip on his shoulder coming into next season. Something tells me he will be a different guy as the season rolls around.

As for the team backing Warner. Thats rich. Urban or Somers wrote a column when the announcement was first made that many players in the locker room were tired of Kurt's turnover problems costing them games.

Who knows? Its he said she said. Ideally Leinart comes out in TC next year and puts all this to rest. Because if he doesn't get it done at some point next year (or show vast progress) I will be ready to move on.

 

[JeffGollin]

Who would I trust more to make sound football personnel decisions - Bickley or Whisenhunt?

Hmmmmm. Bickley writes for a living. Whisehunt is a football coach with solid experience and creds.

Well, I guess I'll kinda have to go with the Wizzer on this one.

 

[CardLogic]

Thank God we have Bickley going to bat for us fans

 

[moklerman]

While my credibility is probably shaky at best when it comes to Warner related issues, I've noticed that a few of the names from the old Warner/Bulger debates have started to pop up here and on other boards. If you've been to the official site board you know what can happen with these people. Beware.

 

[Duckjake]

Who would I trust more to make sound football personnel decisions - Bickley or Whisenhunt?

Hmmmmm. Bickley writes for a living. Whisehunt is a football coach with solid experience and creds.

Well, I guess I'll kinda have to go with the Wizzer on this one.

On the other hand Bickley has been around the Cardinals for a long time. Whisenhunt for only a year and we've seen some really sound personnel decisions from other football coaches with solid experience and creds.

Besides you have to like a guy who once wrote a column on how you could clothe a family of four in Cardinals gear for only $25.00.

 

[FanOfTheGame1]

Thank God we have Bickley going to bat for us fans

Are those the same fans that he chews out periodically for cheering too much / not cheering enough / any number of other random reasons? Bickley's a worthless hack for a dying newspaper.

Sports media (print, radio, TV) in this town has really gone to hell. They have almost no access to the teams, and players don't take them seriously at all. Go to ESPN's site and listen to the podcasts of the local sports shows from Chicago or Pittsburgh. That's how it can be done right.

 

[Skkorpion]

Sports media (print, radio, TV) in this town has really gone to hell. They have almost no access to the teams, and players don't take them seriously at all. Go to ESPN's site and listen to the podcasts of the local sports shows from Chicago or Pittsburgh. That's how it can be done right.

Whew. Read and re-read this post many times and can't detect any fact or truth in it. Just one person's opinion.

As a matter of curiosity, where are you originally from, fanofthegame? Your offering up of Chicago sports coverage as the beacon of media enlightenment in the post-apocalyptic world begs the above question.

 

[football karma]

Whew. Read and re-read this post many times and can't detect any fact or truth in it. Just one person's opinion.

As a matter of curiosity, where are you originally from, fanofthegame? Your offering up of Chicago sports coverage as the beacon of media enlightenment in the post-apocalyptic world begs the above question.

ot, but Skkorp -- there has been a little bit of an edge to your posting in 2008 --

and after the best Card season in almost 10 years no less --

Looking forward to seeing your perspective when the Cards win the Superbowl

 

[Russ Smith]

Right now, I say this is all good. Leinart is no dummy. He knows Warner finished the season as a top 10 passer in the NFL. I truly believe that will light a fire under his ass to work harder than he ever has before.

Not that I'm in any way concerned by this but I find it ironic reading this today.


From the Las Vegas Review Journal: ``Reality show star Kristin Cavallari celebrated her 21st birthday in the company of former flame NFL quarterback Matt Leinart early Saturday at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace. When Cavallari, in town to serve as Pure's celebrity host on Saturday, and her friends showed up at Pure about 1 a.m., Leinart was waiting in the VIP section with a group of friends, including former USC teammate Chauncey Washington.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and former star of "Laguna Beach" were seen leaving together about 3:30 a.m., when both groups left together.''

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Not that I'm in any way concerned by this but I find it ironic reading this today.


From the Las Vegas Review Journal: ``Reality show star Kristin Cavallari celebrated her 21st birthday in the company of former flame NFL quarterback Matt Leinart early Saturday at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace. When Cavallari, in town to serve as Pure's celebrity host on Saturday, and her friends showed up at Pure about 1 a.m., Leinart was waiting in the VIP section with a group of friends, including former USC teammate Chauncey Washington.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and former star of "Laguna Beach" were seen leaving together about 3:30 a.m., when both groups left together.''

RUSSSSSS! What are you doing? I too read this on CNNSI.com today but didn't want to bring it to the boards attention as I know what kind of fire storm Leinart and his love life produces!!

OT Props to Matt - Cavallari is way hot.

 

[Russ Smith]

RUSSSSSS! What are you doing? I too read this on CNNSI.com today but didn't want to bring it to the boards attention as I know what kind of fire storm Leinart and his love life produces!!

OT Props to Matt - Cavallari is way hot.

I just figure the people who worry about this stuff will eat it up and the people who don't(like me) won't care anyways.

 

[Skkorpion]

ot, but Skkorp -- there has been a little bit of an edge to your posting in 2008 --

and after the best Card season in almost 10 years no less --

Looking forward to seeing your perspective when the Cards win the Superbowl

en fuego, I'm not sure what you mean, so I'll clarify my position.

1. Pleased with 8-8
2. Very hopeful for the future
3. Strongly like and back this whole coaching staff including Pendergast
4. Think more highly of our front office than almost everybody else
5. Hate wasting money on high priced aging free agents
6. Prefer building through the draft and keeping our stars happy and well-paid
7. BPA is a myth
8. Critical short term needs in order: RB, FS, DE
9. QBOF is not on this roster
10. Needing urgent attention: QBOF, OLB
11. Depth needed most at CB, OT

If I've been edgy, it's likely been with fans not seeing the positives and not enjoying the ride.

Apropos the local media, most of them would love to see the Cards win. Covering losers is no fun. Bickley's job is to stir the pot and he writes about the Cards often because people want to read about them.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

en fuego, I'm not sure what you mean, so I'll clarify my position.

1. Pleased with 8-8 Agreed
2. Very hopeful for the future Agreed
3. Strongly like and back this whole coaching staff including Pendergast Agreed
4. Think more highly of our front office than almost everybody else Debatable - prefer wait and see
5. Hate wasting money on high priced aging free agents Disagree in theory - the RIGHT high priced free agent can be worth his weight in gold
6. Prefer building through the draft and keeping our stars happy and well-paid Do agree with this even though what I stated above
7. BPA is a myth I believe in BPA for the 4-5 positions that you determine as "critical needs" unless you are in the Super Bowl. Then I believe in BPA.
8. Critical short term needs in order: RB, FS, DE Completely disagree - I say #1 CB, Pass rush (either OLD or DE), RB
9. QBOF is not on this roster I think everyone knows where I stand on this
10. Needing urgent attention: QBOF, OLB Disagree - see above
11. Depth needed most at CB, OT #1 CB will provide depth ( i think Hood is the ideal nickel corner) Tackle is less needed if a guard is obtained as Wells can provide back up to both. Depends on what we do with Ross as well.

If I've been edgy, it's likely been with fans not seeing the positives and not enjoying the ride. Happiest I have been to be a Cards fan since ......last offseason Most realistic/optimistic outlook i have had on the direction of the team since 1998 though

Apropos the local media, most of them would love to see the Cards win. Covering losers is no fun. Bickley's job is to stir the pot and he writes about the Cards often because people want to read about them.

Personally I love Bickleys takes. I don't always agree with him but he is a good writer and seems to have the pulse of most of the stories he is covering. JMO.

 

[FanOfTheGame1]

Whew. Read and re-read this post many times and can't detect any fact or truth in it. Just one person's opinion.

Don't take my word for it. Go to ESPN's "Podcenter" and listen to some of the shows from other cities. Phoenix sports coverage is just so worthless now. I suppose that's true of local radio and print media in general. We don't have a worthwhile news station on radio since KTAR moved to FM and became 90% talk-radio, and the Republic continues to go downhill.

 

[Duckjake]

5. Hate wasting money on high priced aging free agents

Where would we have been this season without two high priced aging free agents, E James and K Warner? In the parking lot bemoaning yet another Cardinal loss instead of celebrating like we did 6 times last year probably.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Where would we have been this season without two high priced aging free agents, E James and K Warner? In the parking lot bemoaning yet another Cardinal loss instead of celebrating like we did 6 times last year probably.

Well said.

 

[Skkorpion]

Where would we have been this season without two high priced aging free agents, E James and K Warner? In the parking lot bemoaning yet another Cardinal loss instead of celebrating like we did 6 times last year probably.

Duck, come on, be real.

I don't think I've ever complained about paying Warner $4 million per year, have I?

In Edge's case, I don't think I complained about signing him or paying him what we did. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so. Lately, my position on Edge is that he's underperforming and is part of our past, not part of our future, so his $5 mill salary is too high.

My objection to high priced free agents refers to the kinds of payouts given to Nate Clements, Steve Hutchinson and others. I don't see results justifying the investments and I believe you know my position already and have chosen to misinterpret it.

Apropos Faneca, in other threads I've stated my wish to acquire him at the payment levels suggested by joeschmo and opposed acquiring him at the payment levels others have claimed Faneca will command on the open market.

I'm disappointed you choose to twist my meaning and use the result for a cynical remark.

You used to enjoy being a fan. Have the years of losing worn that away?

 

[cardsfanmd]

In Edge's case, I don't think I complained about signing him or paying him what we did. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so. Lately, my position on Edge is that he's underperforming and is part of our past, not part of our future, so his $5 mill salary is too high.

My objection to high priced free agents refers to the kinds of payouts given to Nate Clements, Steve Hutchinson and others. I don't see results justifying the investments and I believe you know my position already and have chosen to misinterpret it.

Edge has done great given the circumstances. You guys expect way too much IMO. As far as Clements goes, I thought he played well. It's not his fault the team blows. I would be willing to bet that Seattle and Minnesota would both say that Hutch was worth every penny that he's getting.