One comment on chemistry and that stuff

[Russ Smith]

Since it seems that might be why Whiz is down on Matt right now and high on Anderson, I think is topical to remember that chemistry in sports is something that is generally determined AFTER the fact not before.

And while it is possible there are players, even WR's on the roster who prefer Anderson, that will only last as long as he plays well. If he is throwing high bullets or throwing behind WR's like he's done his whole career, that chemistry will vanish quickly.

I would add I was in the dentists office on Saturday waiting for my girlfriend and reading all the magazines. I think it was a recent SI that had a big article on Jake Delhomme and how some were saying signing him in Cleveland made a bad QB situation even worse by signing Jake Delhomme.

The article then goes to great lengths to say that might not be possible given how bad Clevelands QB's were last year. How bad, they couldn't give away Derek Anderson, nobody wanted to trade for him at all so they eventually just released him, they got no value at all for Brady Quinn but they were at least able to trade him since he beat out Anderson for the job.

The article alluded to how Cleveland players have really taken a liking to Delhomme and that it was nice to see players actually believe in their QB.

Makes you wonder is it simply players have to be around a QB for a few years before they really decide this guy just isn't the guy? So Anderson is still in that honeymoon phase whereas Leinart has worn out his welcome? Because from this article it was obvious that the Browns players wanted no part of Anderson again, they had zero faith in him as a QB.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Whiz was just on Doug and Wolf and he said "chemistry" will play a big part in his QB decision. He said "there's a lot of that (chemisty) that goes into it (the decision) with spring OTAs, mini-camp, how you handle yourself, situations in practice." He said it was "foolish" to evaluate it solely on the games. You have to "evaluate on practice, interaction in huddles with teammates and THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EVLAUATION". (Emphasis mine.)

The more he talked the more I thought, "It's Anderson". But he did say "I'm pleased with how both guys responded (Saturday night) and we're still evaluating that position as well as a lot of others."

 

[Russ Smith]

Whiz was just on Doug and Wolf and he said "chemistry" will play a big part in his QB decision. He said "there's a lot of that (chemisty) that goes into it (the decision) with spring OTAs, mini-camp, how you handle yourself, situations in practice." He said it was "foolish" to evaluate it solely on the games. You have to "evaluate on practice, interaction in huddles with teammates and THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EVLAUATION". (Emphasis mine.)

The more he talked the more I thought, "It's Anderson". But he did say "I'm pleased with how both guys responded (Saturday night) and we're still evaluating that position as well as a lot of others."

Yeah I've seen him say that on tv too.

In general it's my experience that chemistry is a hindsight thing, very rarely do you see someone say the Saints are going to win it all this season the chemistry on that team is amazing. But after the fact there's always someone pointing out team chemistry, those guys love Brees, they don't like so and so.

There are classic examples of this every year like reports the Giants team had quit on Tom Coughlin in preseason the very year they go win a Superbowl.

I don't doubt there are guys on the Cards offense who aren't big Leinart fans, I would also bet anything there are players sick of Dockett getting all the personal fouls, or AW etc. THose 2 are of course proven great players so people cut them slack, if Matt plays regularly and plays well, I think people who doubt him might change their opinions too.

But it does seem more and more likely that Whiz is leaning the other way so I have to assume he either figured it out after the 2nd preseason game, these guys play harder for Anderson than they do Matt, or something else happened that we don't know about.

 

[JeffGollin]

Speaking of Chemistry....

Dude gets viciously sacked. Dude peels himself off the turf and, on the very next play, hits his #2 receiver down the middle for a TD. In scoring the TD, the WR sells out his body, leaping over the goal line and hitting the ground "3-point style."

From this I get (a) toughness, (b) resiliancy and (c) the willingness of a teammate to sell out his body in a preseason game in order to help his QB succeed.

Gotta count for something.

 

[dogpoo32]

I just don't get how DA's chemistry can trump the fact that he flat out stinks as an NFL QB.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

At this point, we are at Level 5 on the "There is more to this than meets the eye." subject.

There is something Leinart is doing or has been doing that Whiz doesn't like. Cause Leinart has been un-impressive, he certainly has not been horrible to the point of being cut, or even losing his starting position IMO.

All the fans have are 3 preaseason games to judge upon. So we are all in the dark on what the heck is going on.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

At this point, we are at Level 5 on the "There is more to this than meets the eye." subject.

There is something Leinart is doing or has been doing that Whiz doesn't like.

Exactly what I've been thinking. I would LOVE to be in the locker room and the weight room to see how these guys are intereacting (or NOT) with Matt and Anderson. I think Whiz has been taking all of that in and asking his coaches about it. He want a TEAM in every sense of the word. Shoot, I want to see who is sitting next to whom at the lunch table!

 

[Russ Smith]

At this point, we are at Level 5 on the "There is more to this than meets the eye." subject.

There is something Leinart is doing or has been doing that Whiz doesn't like. Cause Leinart has been un-impressive, he certainly has not been horrible to the point of being cut, or even losing his starting position IMO.

All the fans have are 3 preaseason games to judge upon. So we are all in the dark on what the heck is going on.

Yep it's gotta be something we're not privy to because what we're privy to doesn't explain it IMHO.

Matt hasn't been brilliant but I don't see anything he's done that warranted this so it has to be something we can't see.

Remember it wasn't that long ago everyone wrote off Vince Young after he was reported missing and suicidal after being
benched. Now you can't get 2 sentences about that team without someone talking about Young is a winner and his teammates
love him. It is possible to reverse it if you play well.

 

[conraddobler]

The actions that are going on now are consistent with players being the problem IMO, other possibilities are really endless, he could of been caught with a farm animal on video for all we know.

I would say it's a key few that are causing this, JMO now, I reserve the right to change it

 

[dreamcastrocks]

You would think something like non naming a starter and feeding the media with stories would create negative chemistry. We are past level 5. We are near DEFCOM 2.

 

[Russ Smith]

You would think something like non naming a starter and feeding the media with stories would create negative chemistry. We are past level 5. We are near DEFCOM 2.

Typically it would, it would divide a team.

I guess one tinfoil hat theory would be Whiz decides the team has no confidence in Matt. He realizes this so late that it's impossible for the team to go get a better QB for this season. So he decided not only do I have to bench Matt, I have to do it in a way that will rally the team around the new starter, Anderson?

 

[TheCardFan]

I just don't get how DA's chemistry can trump the fact that he flat out stinks as an NFL QB.

He has 1 more Pro Bowl under his belt than Leinart.

DA sucks but has chemistry.
Leinart sucks with no chemistry.

I guess that's an easy decision...

 

[D-Dogg]

DEFCOM 2.

DEFCON

:GeneralBIM:

 

[DieHardCardFan]

Dude gets viciously sacked. Dude peels himself off the turf and, on the very next play, hits his #2 receiver down the middle for a TD. In scoring the TD, the WR sells out his body, leaping over the goal line and hitting the ground "3-point style."

From this I get (a) toughness, (b) resiliancy and (c) the willingness of a teammate to sell out his body in a preseason game in order to help his QB succeed.

Gotta count for something.

Very very true!!

 

[D-Dogg]

He has 1 more Pro Bowl under his belt than Leinart.

So does David Garrard.

 

[Shane]

So does David Garrard.

David Garrard is a better QB than Leinart.

 

[TheCardFan]

So does David Garrard.

DA has at least done it for one complete season...even if it was a fluke.

Leinart hasn't been able to muster even a fluke season in this his 5th year.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Typically it would, it would divide a team.

I guess one tinfoil hat theory would be Whiz decides the team has no confidence in Matt. He realizes this so late that it's impossible for the team to go get a better QB for this season. So he decided not only do I have to bench Matt, I have to do it in a way that will rally the team around the new starter, Anderson?

Having Matt fail miserably in Game 3 would have been a perfect scenario for anointing DA. With Leinart at least paying up to par with DA, that's not good for him. It seems as though some Cards players feel that Leinart is getting a raw deal. Chemistry is going to be fubar either way I fear.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Dude gets viciously sacked. Dude peels himself off the turf and, on the very next play, hits his #2 receiver down the middle for a TD. In scoring the TD, the WR sells out his body, leaping over the goal line and hitting the ground "3-point style."

From this I get (a) toughness, (b) resiliancy and (c) the willingness of a teammate to sell out his body in a preseason game in order to help his QB succeed.

Gotta count for something.

:this:

 

[Shane]

It seems as though some Cards players feel that Leinart is getting a raw deal. Chemistry is going to be fubar either way I fear.

How so?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

DEFCON

:GeneralBIM:

Keys right next to each other, typo.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Whiz was just on Doug and Wolf and he said "chemistry" will play a big part in his QB decision. He said "there's a lot of that (chemisty) that goes into it (the decision) with spring OTAs, mini-camp, how you handle yourself, situations in practice." He said it was "foolish" to evaluate it solely on the games. You have to "evaluate on practice, interaction in huddles with teammates and THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EVLAUATION". (Emphasis mine.)

The more he talked the more I thought, "It's Anderson". But he did say "I'm pleased with how both guys responded (Saturday night) and we're still evaluating that position as well as a lot of others."

Yeah that was a great interview. Everytime I listen to Whisenhunt and the way he runs his teams, I'm at peace with the decisions he makes.

In addition to the chemistry with the team that you mentioned, he also talked about the little things that the coaches also look for. Did the QB check to a run or pass when they should have? Did they go through their proper progressions? Were they accurate on their throws? There is a whole slew of things that go into evaluating a QB. It's more than just a stat page from a few preseason games.

Whiz also said that this will be the most difficult cut down in years. There are postion battles where 5-6 guys are in a solid fight for maybe 2 open spots at a position. He said that is a good thing and hopes it will be like that for years to come. He believes it's an indication of the depth they are building.

Wolf asked about Washington, Williams and Toler. Whisenhunt was very excited about these guys. He said that for a rookie to start for him is very unusual. Washington is making an impression and could earn a starting role. He likes the improvement he has seen with Dan Williams and Toler.

Whisenhunt says he doesn't care about what other teams do in the Preseason. If Whiz wants to play starters in the 4th preseason game he will.

 

[DoTheDew]

Dude gets viciously sacked. Dude peels himself off the turf and, on the very next play, hits his #2 receiver down the middle for a TD. In scoring the TD, the WR sells out his body, leaping over the goal line and hitting the ground "3-point style."

From this I get (a) toughness, (b) resiliancy and (c) the willingness of a teammate to sell out his body in a preseason game in order to help his QB succeed.

Gotta count for something.

Not just any player selling out his body either, but one who's spot on the depth chart is locked in securely. Breaston personally had nothing to gain by doing that. From this it seems that either A. Breaston is crazy competitive and even gives it all in meaningless pre-season games, or B. What you are suggesting is true.

 

[conraddobler]

Dude gets viciously sacked. Dude peels himself off the turf and, on the very next play, hits his #2 receiver down the middle for a TD. In scoring the TD, the WR sells out his body, leaping over the goal line and hitting the ground "3-point style."

From this I get (a) toughness, (b) resiliancy and (c) the willingness of a teammate to sell out his body in a preseason game in order to help his QB succeed.

Gotta count for something.

I didn't see the game, which dude are your talking about?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

How so?

Educated guess maybe? My own personal opinion...

If many of us feel this way, and even some in the press feeling this way, I find it hard to believe that no one in the locker room feels that way as well. Anecdotal evidence at best, but it is what I believe.