Kurt Warner talks about Matt Leinart's predicament

[82CardsGrad]

I'm not going to indict Whiz because we have no idea what kind of feedback he's been getting from the FO. This may be Whiz playing the only hand he can play because his FO valued Leinart much more than Whiz does. So Whiz tanks Leinart and makes it almost impossible to keep him now.

Not saying that's reality, just saying that's just as plausible as Whiz being wholly incompetent to manage a QB situation.

Yup...

It's rather simple to jsut assume that Whiz hates Matty and is some strange ego-maniac who is dragging Matty thru the mud only because he enjoys it. That's borderline moronic to believe such nonsense. Guys like Whiz are effective leaders for a reason, and it has ZERO to do with being some sort of twisted, narcissistic, ego-maniac.
This has ot been pretty, but when is such a controversial move on par with this ever pretty? Matty, the heir apparent to Kurt, messed up. Period. This has ZERO to do about Whiz or some "vendetta" he might have against Matty. Rather, it's about Whiz doing what great leaders do - making the really tough, unpopular decision for the sake of TEAM!

It's amazing how so many are so quick to lambaste Whiz and make such incredibly ill-informed and careless acccusations about a man who has done more for this franchise than any other individual since they come to AZ. Just because he benched Matty Leinart - Matt Leinart for gods sake, he is now an ego-maniac who is shunning what's best of the team because he desires to smear and ridicule a player?? Please...

 

[Shane]

Yup...

It's rather simple to jsut assume that Whiz hates Matty and is some strange ego-maniac who is dragging Matty thru the mud only because he enjoys it. That's borderline moronic to believe such nonsense. Guys like Whiz are effective leaders for a reason, and it has ZERO to do with being some sort of twisted, narcissistic, ego-maniac.
This has ot been pretty, but when is such a controversial move on par with this ever pretty? Matty, the heir apparent to Kurt, messed up. Period. This has ZERO to do about Whiz or some "vendetta" he might have against Matty. Rather, it's about Whiz doing what great leaders do - making the really tough, unpopular decision for the sake of TEAM!

It's amazing how so many are so quick to lambaste Whiz and make such incredibly ill-informed and careless acccusations about a man who has done more for this franchise than any other individual since they come to AZ. Just because he benched Matty Leinart - Matt Leinart for gods sake, he is now an ego-maniac who is shunning what's best of the team because he desires to smear and ridicule a player?? Please...

Absolutely the post of the night! Godo stuff 82! 100% dead on!

 

[Shane]

This quote from azcardinals.com says a lot.....EGO FREAK

When the press release about the press conference went out to the media, it said nothing but the time. Given the circumstances, it was clear many outlets thought it was about QB Matt Leinart. “I was a little tickled when I saw the people here, because I knew the expectation,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said with a smile.

Tickled? Really Ken? It's all about you isn't it? I will admit, I do not like the guy. Never have, never will, dating back to year one. I will ALWAYS cheer on the Cardinals, but I will never, ever, be a fan of this guy who stabs players in the back and divides locker rooms. I gave him the benefit of the doubt with Boldin but now I think there was a lot to what Boldin was saying. If one of the greatest players ever to wear our jersey doesn't like the guy it speaks volumes. I think this guy thrives off of feeling like the big man on campus and with this situation he has exposed himself. After the 6 win Anderson experiment the "In Whis We Trust" crap will be dead.

How was that making him an ego freak? Do tell? He was ticked because of the crowd thatw as their hoping it was Matt news. When it should have been all about DD.

 

[Carddan]

This has ZERO to do about Whiz or some "vendetta" he might have against Matty. Rather, it's about Whiz doing what great leaders do - making the really tough, unpopular decision for the sake of TEAM!
quote]

I believe this. We don't know everything,

 

[azsouthendzone]

Yup...

It's rather simple to jsut assume that Whiz hates Matty and is some strange ego-maniac who is dragging Matty thru the mud only because he enjoys it. That's borderline moronic to believe such nonsense. Guys like Whiz are effective leaders for a reason, and it has ZERO to do with being some sort of twisted, narcissistic, ego-maniac.
This has ot been pretty, but when is such a controversial move on par with this ever pretty? Matty, the heir apparent to Kurt, messed up. Period. This has ZERO to do about Whiz or some "vendetta" he might have against Matty. Rather, it's about Whiz doing what great leaders do - making the really tough, unpopular decision for the sake of TEAM!

It's amazing how so many are so quick to lambaste Whiz and make such incredibly ill-informed and careless acccusations about a man who has done more for this franchise than any other individual since they come to AZ. Just because he benched Matty Leinart - Matt Leinart for gods sake, he is now an ego-maniac who is shunning what's best of the team because he desires to smear and ridicule a player?? Please...

"Careless".....wow. That is a really tear jerking post. Again, this isn't about Leinart as much as it is about complete mismanagement from Whisenhunt. If you don't see it you are nothing more than a blind follower. To say he had no other options that to ride a QB as his starter that has been in his system for years, and then to demote him for a QB that has serious, proven flaws, in week 3 of the preseason, and then create a media circus in the process, is so beyond absurd it is unbelievable. I can't even believe thsi is being discussed this close to the first game. LIke I said, Whisenhunt did what he had to do with Leinart, and Plummer did what he had to do with his fiance, but there certainly were a lot of other ways to approach the situation. If this team wins 5 games the Whizzers will fly the "I believe in Whiz" flag to the grave so it really doesn't matter. Let me ask you this...is there ANY future scenario where you could find yourself questioning anything this man does or says? If not this is a pointless debate.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Absolutely the post of the night! Godo stuff 82! 100% dead on!

Every fan base of every team in every sport is filled with differing views... However, I can't say I've ever seen a fan base of such an all-world wretched franchise turn on the one guy who finally brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team. Particularly over a guy who was barely marginal! Stunning...and very, very sad.

 

[azsouthendzone]

How was that making him an ego freak? Do tell? He was ticked because of the crowd thatw as their hoping it was Matt news. When it should have been all about DD.

He wasn't TICKED, he was TICKLED, as in he took some sort of JOY in the attention. Sorry that is absurd. Send out a press release and then have your presser. That is how it is usually done. But you are right, it shoudl have all been about DD but sadly it was not.

 

[Shane]

Every fan base of every team in every sport is filled with differing views... However, I can't say I've ever seen a fan base of such an all-world wretched franchise turn on the one guy who finally brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team. Particularly over a guy who was barely marginal! Stunning...and very, very sad.

It amazes me the # of people that have turned on Whiz. Over a complete non entity at QB in Matt Leinart. The dude has been nothing but a disappointment and a scrub. Never really gave anything to this franchise except some very meager hope Yet the allegiance some of the people around here hold for him is mind boggling.

I loved me some Q and backed him during his minor charade. But you never saw me turn on Whiz during that. EVER. Even though I thought he was wrong in how he handled it.

Whiz is the single best thing that ever happened to this franchise. 3 non losing seasons in a row? Are you f'n kidding me? the Arizona Cardinals?

4 playoff victories and 2 minutes from a SB victory?

Its just amazing and mind boggling.

 

[82CardsGrad]

"Careless".....wow. That is a really tear jerking post. Again, this isn't about Leinart as much as it is about complete mismanagement from Whisenhunt. If you don't see it you are nothing more than a blind follower. To say he had no other options that to ride a QB as his starter that has been in his system for years, and then to demote him for a QB that has serious, proven flaws, in week 3 of the preseason, and then create a media circus in the process, is so beyond absurd it is unbelievable. I can't even believe thsi is being discussed this close to the first game. LIke I said, Whisenhunt did what he had to do with Leinart, and Plummer did what he had to do with his fiance, but there certainly were a lot of other ways to approach the situation. If this team wins 5 games the Whizzers will fly the "I believe in Whiz" flag to the grave so it really doesn't matter. Let me ask you this...is there ANY future scenario where you could find yourself questioning anything this man does or says? If not this is a pointless debate.

Man... I'm done arguing this point with you. It's been pointed out several times that we just don't know ALL of the factors involved. We don't know why it took to game 3 of preseason for the switch to be made.
IMHO, I believe Whiz, in a perfect world, would not at all wanted it to go down this way. I believe he entered this season fully expecting to have Matty as his starter. I believe that and nothing that has come out has shown me otherwise.
Matty, himself, caused this to happen when it did, NOT Whiz. Matty himself failed to grab the opportunity that Whiz laid before him.
I believe Whiz is making this move, knowing full well it would meet with what has transpired - tremendous angst - from many fans. Yet, he remained true to being the type of leader he was hired to be, and made the call many others wouldn't have. Interestingly, since the call was made, NOT ONE player has come out in defense of Matty. Not one. Additionally, every single media "expert" has also sided with Whiz. Virtually ALL of them have pointed out how Matty screwed up, bigtime.

Anyway, I respect your posts almost always dude. But you are so far off on Whiz it's just plain sad.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Every fan base of every team in every sport is filled with differing views... However, I can't say I've ever seen a fan base of such an all-world wretched franchise turn on the one guy who finally brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team. Particularly over a guy who was barely marginal! Stunning...and very, very sad.

So will you ever question Whisenhunt or have you written him a lifetime pass? Saying he "brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team" is pretty overboard. I guess Warner, Fitz, Boldin, Wilson, James, Michael Bidwill, and all of Dennis Green's drafts had nothing to do with Whisenhunt's 9 win season that resulted in the Super Bowl run. All Whiz. Right. So does he get the lifetime pass? No room to question any move he ever makes?

 

[azsouthendzone]

Sorry guys but I don't care if it is the ghost of Lombardi, you do not follow a coach blind. To scrutinize a head coach is a fact of life.

 

[Shane]

So will you ever question Whisenhunt or have you written him a lifetime pass? Saying he "brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team" is pretty overboard. I guess Warner, Fitz, Boldin, Wilson, James, Michael Bidwill, and all of Dennis Green's drafts had nothing to do with Whisenhunt's 9 win season that resulted in the Super Bowl run. All Whiz. Right. So does he get the lifetime pass? No room to question any move he ever makes?

I have questioned him on several occasions. But never come near as close to some of the hate that you guys spew. Its downright amazing. Its almost like you guys forget where this franchise came from and what you forced to endure for the last 2 decades here in AZ.

Considering what he has accomplished he absolutely deserves a pass in most cases. Until he strings together 2-3 losing seasons. He deserves the leeway. He has certainly earned it. JMO.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This finally shut me up.

If I may speak for the entire board, thank God. Perhaps you can pull an Andrew and become a wandering Matt troubadour? Please make it so!

 

[Shane]

If I may speak for the entire board, thank God. Perhaps you can pull an Andrew and become a wandering Matt troubadour? Please make it so!

 

[82CardsGrad]

So will you ever question Whisenhunt or have you written him a lifetime pass? Saying he "brought respect and credibility, virtually single-handidly, to the team" is pretty overboard. I guess Warner, Fitz, Boldin, Wilson, James, Michael Bidwill, and all of Dennis Green's drafts had nothing to do with Whisenhunt's 9 win season that resulted in the Super Bowl run. All Whiz. Right. So does he get the lifetime pass? No room to question any move he ever makes?

Of course all of that factors in... however, Whiz made the decision to start Kurt, didn't he??
And, I find it interesting that the best Fat Man did with "all of this picks" was win 6 games in 2004!

No, I haven't written Wiz or anyone else a lifetime pass. Whiz has made some bad calls, as ALL leaders do. However, you are questioning the heart of the man. The make-up and what drives the man... I happen to believe you are dead wrong. Period. Just dead wrong...

 

[Shane]

Of course all of that factors in... however, Whiz made the decision to start Kurt, didn't he?? Whiz brought in Edge as well.
And, I find it interesting that the best Fat Man did with "all of this picks" was win 6 games in 2004!

No, I haven't written Wiz or anyone else a lifetime pass. Whiz has made some bad calls, as ALL leaders do. However, you are questioning the heart of the man. The make-up and what drives the man... I happen to believe you are dead wrong. Period. Just dead wrong...

Denny brought in Edge with the help of Q. His last year here was under Whiz. Thank god.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Denny brought in Edge with the help of Q. His last year here was under Whiz. Thank god.

I know...

 

[Carddan]

I understand it is "what have you done for me lately?" But to turn on the Coach before even a single game is lost is a little extreme. If the Cardinals fail to win the NFC West, then have at him, even though we will never know how the year would have gone.
I say beat the rams.

 

[thirty-two]

If I may speak for the entire board, thank God. Perhaps you can pull an Andrew and become a wandering Matt troubadour? Please make it so!

That was pretty frickin' funny right there.

 

[Shane]

I understand it is "what have you done for me lately?" But to turn on the Coach before even a single game is lost is a little extreme. If the Cardinals fail to win the NFC West, then have at him, even though we will never know how the year would have gone.
I say beat the rams.

I dont think he should be flamed even if we have a down year. Many great coaches have upturns and downturns. If he flaters and badly for 2-3 years he'll hear it from me.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Denny brought in Edge with the help of Q. His last year here was under Whiz. Thank god.

Now Edge sucks??.......the guy who just ran for back to back 1,000 yard seasons> Shouldn't he get free pass consideration?? I mean no one else has done that here and that is the standard. Benching Edge made the Cards go straight in the toilet, not because Edge was so prolific, but because there were no other legitimate options (sound familiar?) which caused a gaping hole in the offense. Remember the 4 run games, shotgun formation every play during the war? When Ken decided to show Edge who was boss, he practically destroyed the Cardinals offense, earning the title of "Worst Playoff Team Ever." Actually they were beyond awful, lacked any balance or running game, and were a disgracful including two of the most embarassing blowouts of the last 25 years. But then Ken put his pride aside in week 17, knowing what he could have in the offense if he put his personal beef aside, and the rest is history. Ken Whisenhunt felt the need to teach Edgerrin James a lesson.......I mean really.

 

[moklerman]

If I may speak for the entire board, thank God. Perhaps you can pull an Andrew and become a wandering Matt troubadour? Please make it so!

Speaking for one's self is a much more respectable way to go.

I don't need anyone to speak for me.

 

[Shane]

Now Edge sucks??.......the guy who just ran for back to back 1,000 yard seasons> Shouldn't he get free pass consideration?? I mean no one else has done that here and that is the standard. Benching Edge made the Cards go straight in the toilet, not because Edge was so prolific, but because there were no other legitimate options (sound familiar?) which caused a gaping hole in the offense. Remember the 4 run games, shotgun formation every play during the war? When Ken decided to show Edge who was boss, he practically destroyed the Cardinals offense, earning the title of "Worst Playoff Team Ever." Actually they were beyond awful, lacked any balance or running game, and were a disgracful including two of the most embarassing blowouts of the last 25 years. But then Ken put his pride aside in week 17, knowing what he could have in the offense if he put his personal beef aside, and the rest is history. Ken Whisenhunt felt the need to teach Edgerrin James a lesson.......I mean really.

He sucked when he left. Had 0 left in the tank.

Totally agreed with his benching. Especially with Edges paltry play, timely fumbling and blowing off team practice unexcused and with no phone call for an excuse. Well warranted.

Edge had some gas for the playoffs THANKS TO WHIZ. Otherwise his legs would have been completely dead like they were when he benched him. Solid move and proved to be the right one.

You act as though those blowouts in NE and Philly would have been Cardinal V's had Edge started. lol

 

[azsouthendzone]

You act as though those blowouts in NE and Philly would have been Cardinal V's had Edge started. lol

7-3 season ended 9-7, coinciding with the move to Hightower. Do the math and look at the attempts per game with him and the attempts without, more imprortantly the W-L. It isn't rocket science. "Saved his legs for the playoffs" wow. I mean really man.

 

[moklerman]

Looking back at that time period, I think the move was calculated by Whis on a variety of levels. Something that I don't see talked about in that regard, at least not as much as the "saving Edge's legs", "Edge deserved it", etc. is teaching Warner a lesson. Each game that Edge was out, the Cardinals passed the ball more and more and by the time the Patriots game rolled around, it seemed that they had completely abandoned the running game. Essentially giving Warner what he "wanted" and letting him pass every down.

I think Whis clearly illustrated to Warner that that plan of attack would not work and in the Seattle game and during the playoff run a much more reasonable ratio was used.

I think both Edge and Warner were educated during that stretch and I think the team was shown that they needed to not rest on their laurels after winning the division so early.