Arizona's Finest
Your My Favorite Mistake
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Really this is the most exciting piece I have read all year in terms of this teams future. Cheese said it best - Ultimately our chances are tied to this kids ceiling.
And for me this bodes well for next year
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/103493
Cardinals impressed by work ethic of new 'scout'
The Cardinals have a new scout. It wouldn’t be quite right to call him a grizzled old football hand, though he often has a five o’clock shadow. He is Matt Leinart.
In the two months since he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at St. Louis, Leinart has morphed into a studious behind-the-scenes worker. He helps the Cardinals coaches and the team’s offense by studying videotape while working to be ready to play next season.
“I come in every morning. I’m here every day. I go to the team meeting and all that stuff.
“I spend a couple hours every morning breaking down film. I try to help Kurt (Warner) out and the coaches.
“But I really help myself out by learning defenses. … I’m learning a lot, trying to use this situation as a positive and get a head start on next year.”
Questions were raised at the season’s start regarding Leinart’s commitment level.
But that’s not the case now. Coach Ken Whisenhunt praised Leinart at length for staying involved with the team and helping where he can.
“Matt has been in here busting his rear end,” Whisenhunt said.
In general, the Cardinals’ biggest goal was to try to keep him involved with the team. Warner, who knows all about injuries, pointed to this in the aftermath of Leinart’s injury.
So far that’s what’s happened.
Whisenhunt said, “He’s at all the team meetings. He’s around the team, which is important.
“He’s also getting better as a quarterback, because he’s studying opponents, especially the guys we’re playing.
“He’s giving us reports on what he sees, which has been very helpful.”
And it helps himself.
“The biggest thing, especially as a young player, is learning how to study your opponents,” Whisenhunt said.
Not only does he watch videotape, but he focuses on reading defenses, including various coverages and blitzes, and how to counter them.
“This has been invaluable for him. And he’s really done a good job.”
This work should help Leinart in the future “because now he understands what he has to do in-season as he’s playing,” Whisenhunt said.
Leinart said the only thing he’s not doing is practicing and playing.
He works mostly on his legs and his footwork because the injury has limited his upper-body work.
Leinart maintains his close working relationship with Warner, just “not for eight hours a day every day,” Warner said.
“The relationship doesn’t change. We continue to be good friends.”
Leinart is traveling with the team, “and we still room together,” Leinart said. “I still kick his butt in Scrabble … well, just kidding.”
Joked Leinart, “He’s still a grouch sometimes, but he’s playing well and giving us a chance to win.
“I’m rooting for him. He’s doing a great job.”
And for me this bodes well for next year
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/103493
Cardinals impressed by work ethic of new 'scout'
The Cardinals have a new scout. It wouldn’t be quite right to call him a grizzled old football hand, though he often has a five o’clock shadow. He is Matt Leinart.
In the two months since he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at St. Louis, Leinart has morphed into a studious behind-the-scenes worker. He helps the Cardinals coaches and the team’s offense by studying videotape while working to be ready to play next season.
“I come in every morning. I’m here every day. I go to the team meeting and all that stuff.
“I spend a couple hours every morning breaking down film. I try to help Kurt (Warner) out and the coaches.
“But I really help myself out by learning defenses. … I’m learning a lot, trying to use this situation as a positive and get a head start on next year.”
Questions were raised at the season’s start regarding Leinart’s commitment level.
But that’s not the case now. Coach Ken Whisenhunt praised Leinart at length for staying involved with the team and helping where he can.
“Matt has been in here busting his rear end,” Whisenhunt said.
In general, the Cardinals’ biggest goal was to try to keep him involved with the team. Warner, who knows all about injuries, pointed to this in the aftermath of Leinart’s injury.
So far that’s what’s happened.
Whisenhunt said, “He’s at all the team meetings. He’s around the team, which is important.
“He’s also getting better as a quarterback, because he’s studying opponents, especially the guys we’re playing.
“He’s giving us reports on what he sees, which has been very helpful.”
And it helps himself.
“The biggest thing, especially as a young player, is learning how to study your opponents,” Whisenhunt said.
Not only does he watch videotape, but he focuses on reading defenses, including various coverages and blitzes, and how to counter them.
“This has been invaluable for him. And he’s really done a good job.”
This work should help Leinart in the future “because now he understands what he has to do in-season as he’s playing,” Whisenhunt said.
Leinart said the only thing he’s not doing is practicing and playing.
He works mostly on his legs and his footwork because the injury has limited his upper-body work.
Leinart maintains his close working relationship with Warner, just “not for eight hours a day every day,” Warner said.
“The relationship doesn’t change. We continue to be good friends.”
Leinart is traveling with the team, “and we still room together,” Leinart said. “I still kick his butt in Scrabble … well, just kidding.”
Joked Leinart, “He’s still a grouch sometimes, but he’s playing well and giving us a chance to win.
“I’m rooting for him. He’s doing a great job.”
