Latest Somers article re; QBs.

[Cards_Campos]

I also look at this way. How many players on Offense begged Warner to come back? Whiz called they said 5+ times...And Fitz on National TV said he begged Warner for one more year. Now Warner says no thank you guys...and Now Leinart is like I am here guys. They are not excited about Leinart. I think for what ever reason, Leinart has rubbed some of them the wrong way. Maybe with DA they think they will get explosives plays. Whatever it is...Leinart has never been really backed by the team for 4 years.

 

[Dayman]

So Lombardi was right? We're really going to cut our second first round pick in the last six months? Watch your back, Levi.

This is pretty weak. When has anyone ever mentioned Derek Anderson's great intangibles before now? The guy just went off on the entire Cleveland fanbase before he was replaced by Jake Delhomme. He's not exactly a beacon of professionalism. And it can't be his decision making. I re-watched last night's game, and Anderson didn't recognize a couple blitzes, he constantly stared down receivers and he checked down as much as Matt.

As for players not speaking up for Matt, I've seen more support for him than I have for DA.

“I take my hat off to (the QBs),” running back Tim Hightower said. “A lot of people they can say whatever they want to about Matt, but he showed a lot. D.A., he played well, and when he had opportunities, he capitalized. But Matt came in and did his thing and he handled himself well.”

"I think he's done everything right over the last four years," Warner said of Leinart. "He's continued to learn, he's continued to grow. He gets more command of this offense every time I see him.


"The one question mark I think everybody has is, what is he going to do when it comes game time? You're in those situations time in and time out, and you've got to prove yourself. And that's the one thing that Matt hasn't had the opportunity to do over the last few years. And that's really the hardest part because he's not really going to get that opportunity until the season starts and, unfortunately or fortunately, they've got to make that decision much sooner than that."

Somers, Whis and everyone else can try to spin this other ways, but this decision is either about vendettas or money. I actually hope it's about money.

 

[conraddobler]

I also look at this way. How many players on Offense begged Warner to come back? Whiz called they said 5+ times...And Fitz on National TV said he begged Warner for one more year. Now Warner says no thank you guys...and Now Leinart is like I am here guys. They are not excited about Leinart. I think for what ever reason, Leinart has rubbed some of them the wrong way. Maybe with DA they think they will get explosives plays. Whatever it is...Leinart has never been really backed by the team for 4 years.

I really think it went down like this.

They beg Warner, he retires and says no thanks, reality sets in.

Whiz talks to the FO, they say we're good, it's Matt's time to put up or shutup, Whiz says I'd rather do this or that, they say no, then Whiz goes out and sells Matt, but key people say no sale.

That or Whiz hates Matt's game or Matt is the leading locker room suspect in the honor snack shortage debacle...

 

[DieHardCardFan]

There is something really odd about all of this!!! I cant help but think something happened that has not gone public yet. I mean Whis was doing nothing but singing Matts praises all off season. The media did nothing but sung his praises. And the change has happened in such a weird way. I mean if Matt was the guy as Whis said over and over all off season and training camp, why would he have been given so little time in the first two games? It feels like he was almost being framed in a weird way. And seriously I have never been a huge Matt fan but as a Cards fan I personally cant see how he doesnt give this team the best chance to win NOW. I remember before preseason Matt said he wants extra time in preseason so gel with the first unit in games and Whis countered with "no he wont get extra time, we need to get other guys time". And he kinda made it sound like a vote of confidence, like he felt Matt was ready and did not need the extra time. I have been a pretty blind believer in Whis. But he is looking strange in this situation. He now has changed it up and is covering his backside with the "stats are not going to determine this decision". It seems like he knows he is gonna have a hard sell getting rid of Matt and is now making excuses before even announcing what I believe is gonna happen, Matt getting cut. The stage is set! He is not going to be a good sport and be a back up to Derek Friggen Anderson, and personally I wont blame him. The whole situation reminds me of being in a relationship with a nutty woman.

 

[Duckjake]

So Lombardi was right? We're really going to cut our second first round pick in the last six months? Watch your back, Levi.

I wouldn't be surprised if neither one was on the roster in 2011 ( If Levi is an UFA next season?). Matt is going to earn too much money.

Brown isn't even worth what he's getting paid now. The Cards have too many decent lower paid players to keep mediocre highly paid players like Levi.

Heck Levi has been so bad USA Today doesn't even have him on their list for 2009 player salaries. I imagine he's been standing around trying to figure out how to find the pay window

 

[PJ1]

There is something really odd about all of this!!! I cant help but think something happened that has not gone public yet. I mean Whis was doing nothing but singing Matts praises all off season. The media did nothing but sung his praises. And the change has happened in such a weird way. I mean if Matt was the guy as Whis said over and over all off season and training camp, why would he have been given so little time in the first two games? It feels like he was almost being framed in a weird way. And seriously I have never been a huge Matt fan but as a Cards fan I personally cant see how he doesnt give this team the best chance to win NOW. I remember before preseason Matt said he wants extra time in preseason so gel with the first unit in games and Whis countered with "no he wont get extra time, we need to get other guys time". And he kinda made it sound like a vote of confidence, like he felt Matt was ready and did not need the extra time. I have been a pretty blind believer in Whis. But he is looking strange in this situation. He now has changed it up and is covering his backside with the "stats are not going to determine this decision". It seems like he knows he is gonna have a hard sell getting rid of Matt and is now making excuses before even announcing what I believe is gonna happen, Matt getting cut. The stage is set! He is not going to be a good sport and be a back up to Derek Friggen Anderson, and personally I wont blame him. The whole situation reminds me of being in a relationship with a nutty woman.

I agree with all of this except the part about the media singing Matt's praises. They didn't like him before the season and many are loving this.

 

[conraddobler]

Like I said in other threads it is weird and I've been trying to figure out plausible explanations for the entire thing.

The one thing that disturbs me more than anything is how geniune Whiz seemed when he named him the guy without setting it in stone of course but that was the general idea.

That dosen't really jive with all of a sudden turning on him, that's very odd.

What's most likely to me anyhow is that some key player or players are behind this, think key enough they can dictate stuff like this one way or another.

Picture who can dictate that and who would really want to and who could bless or diss Matt and have it matter enough for all this to go down and I think you have a coaching staff trying to run for cover.

I mean if I'm the coach theres a couple people I HAVE to have buy in and if they wanted to go with Matt I'd probably go with him but if they didn't want to go with him then well you're in a serious pickle.

I seem to remember way back when the first battle with Warner was going on, that our two WR's were split on who they wanted, can't remember how it was rumored to go but one wanted Matt and the other didn't, don't remember now if that was even true but I thought it was.

 

[Buckybird]

I really think it went down like this.

They beg Warner, he retires and says no thanks, reality sets in.

Whiz talks to the FO, they say we're good, it's Matt's time to put up or shutup, Whiz says I'd rather do this or that, they say no, then Whiz goes out and sells Matt, but key people say no sale.

That or Whiz hates Matt's game or Matt is the leading locker room suspect in the honor snack shortage debacle...

You're probably right but Wiz shouldn't say publicly:

1)Matt's earned the right to be the starter
2)Talk all offseason & up until the last couple of weeks how well Matts doing

Wiz has blowed smoke up everyones butts including Leinart up until maybe a few weeks ago. I respect the coaches decision to start whomever he wants but disagree about the process of how & why he's come to this decision.

 

[conraddobler]

You're probably right but Wiz shouldn't say publicly:

1)Matt's earned the right to be the starter
2)Talk all offseason & up until the last couple of weeks how well Matts doing

Wiz has blowed smoke up everyones butts including Leinart up until maybe a few weeks ago. I respect the coaches decision to start whomever he wants but disagree about the process of how & why he's come to this decision.

I've tried to eliminate things that don't really fit, given the entire situation this seems to me IMO that it's a case of someone big having a preference that the coach dosen't want to fight.

Whiz isn't that devious I don't think to do all this with an agenda but I do think any coach would blink at starting a player uprising if it's a key enough player.

 

[nidan]

Nashman is taking a short rest

 

[Rats]

Since Sunday nights are always good for speculation here is what I see playing out.

The Cards have decided that, right or wrong, Leinart is not worth the money it will take to keep him. Just like they did with Leonard Davis, Calvin Pace, Antrel Rolle, and Karlos Dansby.

Meanwhile they have decided that Skelator is the QBOF.

So, Matt goes and DA is the caretaker QB this season while JS watches and learns and if there is a 2011 season Skelator is the QB. Hopefully for the next 10 years.

Of course now that I have posted this there is no way in hell it ever happens.

I didn't want to say it Steve, but I have been thinking this very thing. With a lockout maybe on the horizon the Cards may be reverting to not wanting to pay the freight. I pray this is not the case. I booed at Jacksons on 3rd and said it was a mistake when we drafted Leinart. I rooted for McCown over Matt and then wanted Warner to be the guy(that was the right choice) but now Matt has earned his shot this season to run this club. Whis is just not who many think he is I am afraid. If Matt gets released then I am pretty sure it is back to the Cards of old. This Sucks!!

 

[Bobcat]

I'm Team Matt

So am I...!!! DITTO...!!!

BOBCAT

 

[wilycoyote24]

It's not like I've been a huge Matt lover but I really thought he would at the very least be a serviceable QB on a good team. To dump him for Anderson , who hardly anyone sees as anything other than maybe an average backup, just boggles my mind.

I'm no personnel genius, but I do own my own business and you just can't crap on people and be successful in the long run.

The team may turn out ok this year, but this is amateur hour. It just seems that it has epic fail written all over it. The FO seems to have made strides to shed the image that they have stopped handling business in this phony ass way, but this is a giant step backwards in that regard whether this turns out to be true or not.

Crap on people? Wiz simply started someone else in a PRESEASON game. Leinart isn't entitled to start each and every game. Aren't we all reading too much into things right now? Leinart may still be the starter against the Rams. Wiz may have been simply wanting to see how each QB handles the situation. He may have wanted to be "fair" and give them both a "chance" at the job. I think we all need to settle down and focus on what has actually happened, not what some fear has happened.

Also, $3 million for a starting QB isn't a lot of money. It isn't about the money, if Matt is cut or traded.

 

[Shane]

Hey Nashman sorry bout that. I shouldnt have said it! You guys are right. Please forgive me?

 

[PJ1]

Hey Nashman sorry bout that. I shouldnt have said it! You guys are right. Please forgive me?

He can't. He is in the cornfield now thanks to you.

 

[wilycoyote24]

Like I said in other threads it is weird and I've been trying to figure out plausible explanations for the entire thing.

The one thing that disturbs me more than anything is how geniune Whiz seemed when he named him the guy without setting it in stone of course but that was the general idea.

That dosen't really jive with all of a sudden turning on him, that's very odd.

What's most likely to me anyhow is that some key player or players are behind this, think key enough they can dictate stuff like this one way or another.

Picture who can dictate that and who would really want to and who could bless or diss Matt and have it matter enough for all this to go down and I think you have a coaching staff trying to run for cover.

I mean if I'm the coach theres a couple people I HAVE to have buy in and if they wanted to go with Matt I'd probably go with him but if they didn't want to go with him then well you're in a serious pickle.

I seem to remember way back when the first battle with Warner was going on, that our two WR's were split on who they wanted, can't remember how it was rumored to go but one wanted Matt and the other didn't, don't remember now if that was even true but I thought it was.

If a coach needs the approval of some of the players for roster moves, that coach has already lost his team. I don't believe this. All of this "covering his ass" may mean nothing, or that he is just trying to motivate Leinart, or that he just wants to be able to say after naming Leinart the starter: "Matt had the better stats (which is clear to everyone) and intangibles."

 

[DieHardCardFan]

If a coach needs the approval of some of the players for roster moves, that coach has already lost his team. I don't believe this. All of this "covering his ass" may mean nothing, or that he is just trying to motivate Leinart, or that he just wants to be able to say after naming Leinart the starter: "Matt had the better stats (which is clear to everyone) and intangibles."

I sure hope you are right!!!

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

What a joke this offseason has turned out to be...seesh, just get this over with already so I can come to terms with lost hope for the season before it begins...This team will be DOA with DA.

I almost wish the lockout were this season.

If the team is handed to DA, not only has Matt been screwed, but the team failed to go after two much better QB's and diminished Matt's trade value and they will wind up with Zilch...

 

[Billy Bob]

I agree with all of this except the part about the media singing Matt's praises. They didn't like him before the season and many are loving this.

The Media is loving this because they invented this, I haven't heard anything from the Cardinals, just the media.

 

[conraddobler]

If a coach needs the approval of some of the players for roster moves, that coach has already lost his team. I don't believe this. All of this "covering his ass" may mean nothing, or that he is just trying to motivate Leinart, or that he just wants to be able to say after naming Leinart the starter: "Matt had the better stats (which is clear to everyone) and intangibles."

If someone big enough says he plays I want a trade, if it's the right guy and they say this in private?

Yeah technically you're right but if I'm the coach that's not a battle I want to start if it's certain players.

In today's NFL that could happen and I bet a lot of coaches would blink.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Like I said in other threads it is weird and I've been trying to figure out plausible explanations for the entire thing.

The one thing that disturbs me more than anything is how geniune Whiz seemed when he named him the guy without setting it in stone of course but that was the general idea.

That dosen't really jive with all of a sudden turning on him, that's very odd.

What's most likely to me anyhow is that some key player or players are behind this, think key enough they can dictate stuff like this one way or another.

Picture who can dictate that and who would really want to and who could bless or diss Matt and have it matter enough for all this to go down and I think you have a coaching staff trying to run for cover.

I mean if I'm the coach theres a couple people I HAVE to have buy in and if they wanted to go with Matt I'd probably go with him but if they didn't want to go with him then well you're in a serious pickle.

I seem to remember way back when the first battle with Warner was going on, that our two WR's were split on who they wanted, can't remember how it was rumored to go but one wanted Matt and the other didn't, don't remember now if that was even true but I thought it was.

Ummmm lets just quit dancing around it and bring it to light......

You must be registered for see images attach

This is Wiz taking the bullet for #11 who has bucoo leverage with a pending opt out (and no tag) coming up.

All the signs are there. No Twitter pronouncement backing ML. Cris Carter alluding to it. Fitz getting hurt in the first game.

I have said it a few times now, and even though its speculation on my part, you have to think if Larry WANTED ML (and that would make sense with them having four years of familiarity and ML knowing the offense) - well this wouldn't be going down like this.

And I believe the WR "choosing" you are referring too is Fitz aligning with Warner (who throws deep) and Boldin somewhat siding with Matt (possession WR).......

 

[82CardsGrad]

I've kinda thought about this a bit

The article mentions one thing that has largely gone un-talked about other than here or there.

It's occured to me this might be more player related than coach related, pure speculation but you gotta think a few key people would have huge say over this decision based on who they liked, again just speculation.

IF that's the case then well Whiz wouldn't really be the driver of this and then he's just playing it smart team wise then it makes some more sense, although I still don't agree with it.

I try and think who I'd want if I wanted catches and then it makes a lot more sense.

Been making this point for days and days now... ask Duck and our Canuck friend.

 

[wilycoyote24]

What a joke this offseason has turned out to be...seesh, just get this over with already so I can come to terms with lost hope for the season before it begins...This team will be DOA with DA.

I almost wish the lockout were this season.

If the team is handed to DA, not only has Matt been screwed, but the team failed to go after two much better QB's and diminished Matt's trade value and they will wind up with Zilch...

1) We don't know who the starter is.

2) DA has been a pro bowler, ML hasn't.

3) I'm sure Rams fans were feeling like you are when Warner was the starter for the first time.

4) Stress isn't good for your health. If you must stress about the Cardinals, at least do it once there is something to stress about. As of right now, Leinart is not only on the team, but has a reasonable chance to start against the Rams.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

If someone big enough says he plays I want a trade, if it's the right guy and they say this in private?

Yeah technically you're right but if I'm the coach that's not a battle I want to start if it's certain players.

In today's NFL that could happen and I bet a lot of coaches would blink.

Its even simpler then that. Wiz wants to give ML a chance, but doesn't have much faith in him and is pretty blase about Matt's prospects.

Then a team leader and cornerstone says "Hey coach - we aren't going to win with this guy and hes going to get me hurt"....well then you see how this may go down.

Its not about the inmates running the asylum. Its about a guy that you look at as a stop gap QB who you didn't draft, alienating your best player.

Not a lot of coaches blink in that situation. They ALL blink.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ummmm lets just quit dancing around it and bring it to light......

You must be registered for see images attach

This is Wiz taking the bullet for #11 who has bucoo leverage with a pending opt out (and no tag) coming up.

All the signs are there. No Twitter pronouncement backing ML. Cris Carter alluding to it. Fitz getting hurt in the first game.

I have said it a few times now, and even though its speculation on my part, you have to think if Larry WANTED ML (and that would make sense with them having four years of familiarity and ML knowing the offense) - well this wouldn't be going down like this.

And I believe the WR "choosing" you are referring too is Fitz aligning with Warner (who throws deep) and Boldin somewhat siding with Matt (possession WR).......

Interesting theory, and plausible. Between two pretty evenly matched qb's, maybe Fitz does have the final say. (whether he says anything publicly or not)