Making The Case For Warner as Starting QB

[nurnay]

May the best man win.

 

[Cardiac]

I'm fairly torn on the QB situation. I understand the desire of many to see Kurt start based on his warrior mentality last year and obvious very solid production. I also understand the thought process that we invested a 1st rd pick in Matt and he needs to be our future at the most critical position on the team.

I think that those who reference Whiz's desire to use his formula for success are right on target with why Matt will start this year. Strong running game with a potent air attack used at the right times in a game is Whiz's formula. Control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and smash/punch the opposing team in the mouth. Turnovers are any HC's nightmare and Kurt is far to prone to interceptions and fumbles.

The defense needs to step up big time this year and when you review the last 2 years of our draft it's obvious Whiz and RG are addressing this unit in a big way. Throw in FA and you see the win the war in the trenches mentality being targeted as well.

Matt simply needs to be proficeint with his reads and not cause TO's and the Cards will win more then they lose. The 2nd year in this system should and MUST greatly reduce the number of penalties. Smart, tough football is the vision. Not fast and furious scoring with TO's mixed in.

 

[CardinalChris]

Warners biggest problem is he refuses to dump the ball off as he holds on to it or throw it up for grabs... Haley seems to do a good job of keeping on him. If he can correct this better next year, all for him starting

It seemed like during his good games this is exactly what he did. In his bad games he pushed the ball down the middle of the field and often resulted in a pick.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I dont think I would put that in Hasselbecks favor. He was sacked 13 more times then both of our QB's with Jones protecting his blind side.

I was about to point this out, thank you.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

May the best man win.

Totally agree.

Have to say that Warner earned a lot of my respect playing with the arm brace taking a chance on a permanant injury to help the team win.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Totally agree.

Have to say that Warner earned a lot of my respect playing with the arm brace taking a chance on a permanant injury to help the team win.

There was no chance of permanant injury. That's why we let him play.

 

[moklerman]

It's pretty hard to make a case for Warner because of his age but within the argument that's already going, I'd like to point out that Warner is capable of adjusting his game. The idea seems to be that he can't play Whis' type of football but I would argue that by pointing out his time in NY with Coughlin. Coming straight out of Martz's system, Warner led the league with the lowest interception pct. and didn't force the ball when a play wasn't there.

My point is, as much as I agree that part of Leinart's struggles last year were due to another new system, I have to give Warner a little slack in that regard as well. With the brace and a new system/philosophy to adapt to, he performed pretty well and did indeed seem to be adapting. Not to the point Whis wanted, but he was getting there.

 

[bankybruce]

I think the best QB will start. I also think Coach Whiz gave Matt the starting nod in the offseason to help him focus on being a ready and not worrying about looking over his shoulder. I also think Kurt is fully aware that the job can be his if he is the best person for the job. Coach Whiz and Kurt are both professionals and knows what it takes to win, even if that is stroking the ego of Matt a little bit.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I have confidence Wiz will go to the guy that gives us the best chance to win. I am also convinced that Wiz doesn't think (as of now and based on last season) that Kurt is that guy. Wiz has shown a proclivity to go with the best player NOT the 1st round pick (see Rolle, Antrell) in the past and he didn't even hesitate to annoit Leinart in spite of Kurts "numbers" last year...

So here a raise of the glass to Matt making this whole topic a non-issue come Day 1.

As of now there are no excuses cause he got game time and was able to study tape all last year so he should be read to go guns ablazing......

 

[Redheart]

In my opinion, the Cards time is now, I am not looking 3-years down the road.

Healthy, we are a play-off team. Getting to the playoffs mean you have your shot.

By the way, happy anniversery to all who remember 1998, the last time we went to the playoffs and won a game. 10 years ago.

We should make the playoffs this year, we need the to take the next step too, NFC Champs. The 2008 Cardinals team should have enought talent and experience to be a legitmate threat for the crown.

Is it Warner of Leinart?

Whichever one gives us the best chance to win this year; what with injuries, contracts, FA, Players Agreement, Coaching vacancies...who knows what the Cardinals will look like in 2009?

If this team was recently blown up and rebuilding I could listen to the "future" talk. With this team?

The future is now.

 

[Totally_Red]

Based on recent past history, I can project two things for the coming season.

1. Bert Berry will miss time due to injury.

2. One or both Cardinal quarterbacks will miss games due to injury.

Someone on the official board suggesting releasing Warner. Dumb idea!
My hope is we don't get to our third QB this season.

 

[Mitch]

It's more than likely that, as was the case last year, we are going to need both Leinart and Warner, and perhaps even St. Pierre to move this offense. So...hopefully the competition will bring out the best in all of them.

I'd like to see the Cards extend Warner's contract through 2010...he still has what it takes and he loves the game, and we need two or three good QBs to challenge for the playoffs and a Super Bowl Championship.

Perhaps, if the Cards could get a cap friendly deal done with Warner soon, they can add CB Ty Law or Andre Dyson...either of whom, IMO, may be the one missing piece.

 

[ajcardfan]

"No doubt" about who the starter should be in May?

Look back at the threads after the Seattle and New Orleans games and tell there is "no doubt" Warner should be starting. Half the board wanted him the hell out of here after those games.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Warner's the man for the job. There is absolutely no doubt about it.

There is plenty of doubt about it.

There is no denying Warner played very well last year.

But where was that kind of play the year before last ? Why did Leinart end up starting over Warner ?

Warner has injury issues, turnover issues, and by starting him you are severely holding back your QOF.

This thread begs to open the debate over whether the Cardinals and everyone else in football land has given Leinart a fair shot at the QB position.

Leinart has played a half a year, when he replaced Warner, in his rookie season, and played a half a year last year before he got hurt.

Leinart played decently his rookie year, and was sub-average his second year.

Yet, instead of looking at this as a break even situation, for some reason, Leinart is already being labeled a bust.

I think it is unfair, and very foolish to be writing Leinart off already. At least give him a full season. Especially when the coaches and front office are saying that Matt is putting the work in, and showing he can get the job done.

If I were running the team. Leinart is the guy, no questions asked.

If Whiz and company are preaching competition then Leinart and Warner should be given each a fair chance to win the job, and a let the best man win.

BUT if Warner wins the job. This team better go all out and look to win it all because at that point you are looking to win now, and win big since your start QB is in his late 30's.

 

[Redheart]

... This team better go all out and look to win it all because at that point you are looking to win now, and win big since your start QB is in his late 30's.

Yes!


I mean, what are we waiting for? A sign in the sky like a giant Cardinal Red Comet to tell us we are ready to make a run?

Let's go!

 

[DaisyCutter]

Rugby, Leinart only played in 5 games last season--not even half a year. He has 16 career starts, and the Cards are 8-8 when he starts. Far better than what Warner has been able to cobble together.

 

[WisconsinCard]

While I agree that KW is the better QB right now. We need to see what we have in ML. If KW starts now we would have to wait at least another year to find out if ML is our QBOF.

I for one would love to see an open competition for the job and see ML win it out right. Best case for all of us is that ML comes out and lights up the scoreboard, and KW doesn't see the field at all this year.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

While I agree that KW is the better QB right now. We need to see what we have in ML. If KW starts now we would have to wait at least another year to find out if ML is our QBOF.

I for one would love to see an open competition for the job and see ML win it out right. Best case for all of us is that ML comes out and lights up the scoreboard, and KW doesn't see the field at all this year.

I'm not even sure that KW is the better QB.

 

[WisconsinCard]

I'm not even sure that KW is the better QB.

Well there is no way to be sure, it was just my opinion. But until ML can put up comparable numbers, then I will go KW is the better QB right now. Part of that reasoning is that KW has a stronger arm, better accuracy, and can read defenses better. I sure hope that all changes this year, and just for the record, I believe ML should be the starter on opening day.

 

[Redheart]

Well there is no way to be sure, it was just my opinion. But until ML can put up comparable numbers, then I will go KW is the better QB right now. Part of that reasoning is that KW has a stronger arm, better accuracy, and can read defenses better. I sure hope that all changes this year, and just for the record, I believe ML should be the starter on opening day.

Plus, I don't think that KW even owns a beer-bong.

 

[moklerman]

Well, from Rob Johnson/Doug Flutie, Warner/Bulger, etc. I think that a true competition is the best answer to this particular question. For all involved. I think Warner deserves a shot and so does Leinart. More importantly, I think there are plenty of players on both sides of this issue and anything less than a real competition is going to cause some form of friction.

 

[earthsci]

Two points are true of any real Cardinal fan.

1. They want Matt Leinart to prove that he is better than Warner and start. That means we have our QB of the future (and present).
2. They want the Cardinals to win. Now and in the future.

If Whiz thinks that the team will win with Leinart and we do, right on. If we have to win with Warner, then so be it.

Personally, I think that going with Leinart is the better route.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Well, from Rob Johnson/Doug Flutie, Warner/Bulger, etc. I think that a true competition is the best answer to this particular question. For all involved. I think Warner deserves a shot and so does Leinart. More importantly, I think there are plenty of players on both sides of this issue and anything less than a real competition is going to cause some form of friction.

Yes, but you Johnson/Flutie example fails that test. Flutie won the competition to the satisfaction of most observers, and didn't get the job; which, in turn, divided the locker room.

 

[moklerman]

Yes, but you Johnson/Flutie example fails that test. Flutie won the competition to the satisfaction of most observers, and didn't get the job; which, in turn, divided the locker room.

I may have stated it incorrectly but I was using it as an example of one QB outperforming the other and not being awarded the job. The Warner/Bulger situation was different but still left the locker room divided because of how it was handled. The few examples I could come up with off the top of my head were just meant as examples of leaving the locker room divided by not handling the situation properly.