Cards seek competition for Leinart

[BullheadCardFan]

Cards seek competition for Leinart

There's a reason Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't fully committed to Matt Leinart as the team's starter for 2009.

Leinart hasn't yet earned the endorsement.

Whisenhunt, speaking Tuesday on XTRA910 radio in Phoenix, said the Cardinals would sign a quarterback to compete with Leinart. Not to back up Leinart, but to fight for the job. Whisenhunt said he has a "great deal" of confidence in Leinart, but he also told Leinart the team would bring in competition.

The Cardinals would hand the job to Leinart, Whisenhunt said, when "Matt goes to three Pro Bowls" and the Super Bowl, as predecessor Kurt Warner did.

Whisenhunt promotes competition throughout the roster.

Some coaches insist upon clarity at quarterback. That was always important to Mike Holmgren, who reiterated the philosophy at the NFL combine when explaining one reason the Browns would not keep both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

Whisenhunt's approach has served the Cardinals well. Even Warner had to earn the starting job heading into the 2008 season. Whisenhunt's insistence upon placing conditions on the job was helpful, I thought, in convincing the previously freewheeling Warner to do a better job protecting the football.

I'm not sure how well the approach is suited for younger quarterbacks trying to find their way. Some might benefit from a stronger endorsement. That was my thinking on the 49ers' handling of Alex Smith a few years ago.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Whisenhunt, speaking Tuesday on XTRA910 radio in Phoenix, said the Cardinals would sign a quarterback to compete with Leinart. Not to back up Leinart, but to fight for the job. Whisenhunt said he has a "great deal" of confidence in Leinart, but he also told Leinart the team would bring in competition.

The Cardinals would hand the job to Leinart, Whisenhunt said, when "Matt goes to three Pro Bowls" and the Super Bowl, as predecessor Kurt Warner did.

Whisenhunt promotes competition throughout the roster.

Man... LOVE this! Thank god he is not banking on Matty... Whew!

 

[juza76]

i think the coach doesnt really like matt and probably he is pushing to have whiterhurst from san diego,if he trust leinart and see on him the leader of the offense they were not looking for a rfa quaterback that cost us a third round pick..

 

[ARZCardinals]

Fantastic mentality. Gotta love Whis

 

[Stout]

Read between the lines: Matt Leinart is the starter, but we're going to make him work. I love the way Whis works, but let's not make more of this than it is. Remember, BSP was supposed to be competition for him last season.

 

[Pariah]

i think the coach doesnt really like matt

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I do like reading that there will a competition. Not just hand the job to ML. Making him work for it is fair.

 

[D-Dogg]

This is such a BS article. I listened to the interview. Whis said that he always believes in competition, and the 3 probowls and winning a Super Bowl comment was said with a laugh (and not referencing Warner...it was just a quote about having high expectations for anyone to have a job handed to him). Stout nailed it. There will be "competition" but it is heavily weighted in Matt's favor, just as it was last year for the backup job (oh, that vicious Matt vs. BSP battle.)

The cards aren't "seeking competition for Leinart." They are looking to add QBs since they only have one on the roster (said by Whis) and they like Matt, his work he's done and they think he'll do well (said by Whis) and that they want to have a player in that can compete with Matt because "that will make Matt better, and will make our team better" (said by Whis). It was pretty clear that they want someone to push Matt, keep him on his toes, and be solid enough to win. They don't want a clipboard holder. Wow...imagine that.

 

[TJ]

Whis is not Denny Green and saying Matty is a "gift from God" but someone who is going to have to earn his way into the starter's role.

But think about it for a second: who out there, current free agents or rookies, is capable of beating out Leinart?

Matt has had exposure in this system for 3 years and has been mentored by one of the NFLs best and most intelligent QBs ever. He knows the tendencies of every offensive player including the wideouts.

Leinart would have to come into the camp with a busted arm, pot belly and BBQ sauce stains all over his shirt to lose the position. He may not be the starter but he certainly has a large head start over everyone.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

But think about it for a second: who out there, current free agents or rookies, is capable of beating out Leinart?

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[splitsecond]

I am pretty sure this is 90% Whiz' dry sense of humor. The comments are blown way out of proportion.

 

[nashman]

Its Leinarts' job no questions asked!

 

[Early]

Leinart has collapsed even as a backup going into games with a huge lead. Just giving the job to him, is offcourse a very bad move and not a move that Whis would ever do, the great coach that he is.

We will for sure bring in a good FA or a 1st day rookie and let Leinart try to battle him for the job. Like two years ago, let's see who is best. Leinart is not getting anything just because he was a 1st round pick many many years ago. He will need to earn it and he hasn't earned anything so far based on his play.

This will be decided in the final week of preseason.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

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If that is a Brazilian football player, then you get a 5/5.

 

[dogpoo32]

i think the coach doesnt really like matt and probably he is pushing to have whiterhurst from san diego,if he trust leinart and see on him the leader of the offense they were not looking for a rfa quaterback that cost us a third round pick..

Well thanks for the inside scoop. It's official. Whis hates Matt.

 

[TJ]

i think the coach doesnt really like matt and probably he is pushing to have whiterhurst from san diego,if he trust leinart and see on him the leader of the offense they were not looking for a rfa quaterback that cost us a third round pick..

Whitehurst's tender is negotiable. The Cards wont give up a 3rd rounder to acquire someone with no experience. 6th or 7th maybe.

Also, Whitehurst isnt the only QB being scouted. Derek Anderson is probably going to pay us a visit and he is a UFA

The bottom line is the team has only one QB on the roster and we need at least one QB with experience and can pull another one out of the draft. You just hate Matt Leinart so you want everything to be about benching him or cutting him. We are also bringing Larry Foote in for a visit. Perhaps he is a possible replacement for Leinart.....

 

[nashman]

There will be no REAL competition, Leinart would have to be injured or not show up to not be the starter! They will bring in backups and depth period!

 

[john h]

Cards seek competition for Leinart

There's a reason Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't fully committed to Matt Leinart as the team's starter for 2009.

Leinart hasn't yet earned the endorsement.

Whisenhunt, speaking Tuesday on XTRA910 radio in Phoenix, said the Cardinals would sign a quarterback to compete with Leinart. Not to back up Leinart, but to fight for the job. Whisenhunt said he has a "great deal" of confidence in Leinart, but he also told Leinart the team would bring in competition.

The Cardinals would hand the job to Leinart, Whisenhunt said, when "Matt goes to three Pro Bowls" and the Super Bowl, as predecessor Kurt Warner did.

Whisenhunt promotes competition throughout the roster.

Some coaches insist upon clarity at quarterback. That was always important to Mike Holmgren, who reiterated the philosophy at the NFL combine when explaining one reason the Browns would not keep both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

Whisenhunt's approach has served the Cardinals well. Even Warner had to earn the starting job heading into the 2008 season. Whisenhunt's insistence upon placing conditions on the job was helpful, I thought, in convincing the previously freewheeling Warner to do a better job protecting the football.

I'm not sure how well the approach is suited for younger quarterbacks trying to find their way. Some might benefit from a stronger endorsement. That was my thinking on the 49ers' handling of Alex Smith a few years ago.

This may be the best news I have read this year. Way to go coach.