Pete Carroll on Matt: "I think he’s going to be a terrific player."

[Big D]

I'd even question Carroll calling Whiz "Kenny".

Has anyone ever heard Whiz called "Kenny"?

Only by Brian Billik when talking about Kenny Wheeezenhunt's trust in the veteran leadership of guys like Kurt Leinart and Karlos Dansburry.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

That pretty much sums up what Carroll said perfectly. Anyone who takes anything more than that away from it is being just a little silly. Right AZ Finest?

I guess I really don't agree with that. First off there is little to gain by bumping the confidence of your division rivals starting QB just to do it. Maybe like someone mentioned he was taking a swipe at Wiz but I don't think thats indicitive of Carroll's overall demeanor either.

Petes been saying this stuff about Matt ever since he left SC. I remember reading a quote when Matt was drafted where a reporter asked him who he would rather have, Carson Palmer or Matt. Petes response was "well do you want to have the perfect QB prototype physically or do you want to win championships?" Pete obviously has alot of love for Matt, and to me this was just another way of reinforcing what kind of player he thinks the kid is. You really wouldn't be going out on a limb saying that he made Carrolls career at SC because for all that talent, he didn't win any Championships without Matt under center.

I guess if you think I am reading into it because its a positive comment, and I am searching for reasons to believe in Leinart then go ahead.

I tend to think probably the most credible person who can speak to Matts makeup, what made him successful previously, and what will do so in the the future is Pete Carroll. I thought the end of the quote was telling when he said (paraphrase) "I don't know Matt being anything other then successful."

Everythings in place for him to be successful here and now with Wiz's affirmation and backing, I don't think its a stretch that Pete acknowledging the way Matt responds best, is me looking into things at all.

I just thought is was a positive thing to hear and posted it as such. I don't really see how its a negative or inconsequential as many here seem to think.

But I guess its the offseason.

 

[PoolBoy]

Lax

if you have a problem with Leinart, you
have a problem with yourself

this just means you have been creepin on my facebook pictures! lol

 

[Shane]

I just thought is was a positive thing to hear and posted it as such. I don't really see how its a negative or inconsequential as many here seem to think.

I don't believe it to be negative either. I certainly don't believe it is of any consequence either good or bad.

I think that you can honestly say that Carroll loves Matt Leinart as a person and they are probably pretty good friends. I really wouldn't expect him to say anything but positive things about Matt no matter what he thinks.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Apparently I am worth the time since you took time to respond to me. So........whats youre excuse?

I apologized for getting into a heated argument the first time, then realized that you are just an idiot born and bred so I decided to let you make a complete fool out of yourself

I learned how to respond to this one...

"Bro the day I start taking lessons from you on the type of venacular I want to use when I post, how to be a well rounded individual, and be respected by my business peers and social circle is the day I buy a gun, load it up, and pull the trigger.

Get laid."

Stick to putting pretty pictures of players in your sig line, that's about all you're good for.

I love the offseason!

One day break.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't believe it to be negative either. I certainly don't believe it is of any consequence either good or bad.

I think that you can honestly say that Carroll loves Matt Leinart as a person and they are probably pretty good friends. I really wouldn't expect him to say anything but positive things about Matt no matter what he thinks.

Damn Shane couldn't we say that about ANY comment then? I mean as fans we get amped up when the staff says Brandon Keith looks good in practice or that Toler is making strides in the offseason. Maybe Wiz is just saying that to build their confidence I guess???

Or maybe people actually say what they mean once in awhile.

Seems to me Pete made an insightful comment on a player he knows intimately and has genuine belief in.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I'd even question Carroll calling Whiz "Kenny".

Has anyone ever heard Whiz called "Kenny"?

Only by Brian Billik when talking about Kenny Wheeezenhunt's trust in the veteran leadership of guys like Kurt Leinart and Karlos Dansburry.

Everyone around the league seems to know him as "Kenny". Where have you guys been?

 

[kerouac9]

Whole statement is pure conjecture. Source material making it fact?

It's behind a pay wall, but you can read whatever you want to from this quote when Whis's hiring was announced (AZR, 1/15/2007, "CARDS CHOOSE WHISENHUNT; EX-STEELERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TURNED ROETHLISBERGER INTO SUPER BOWL CHAMPION"):

Whisenhunt has been a Steelers assistant for the past six years, including the past three as offensive coordinator. He's known as a bold play caller who also places heavy emphasis on a strong running game. His work with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger helped him get the Cardinals job.

In Arizona, he'll work with Matt Leinart, the 10th overall pick in last year's draft.

"He has done a remarkable job in Pittsburgh, and he obviously had a big hand in grooming their quarterback and shaping him up into a Super Bowl winner," Graves said.

Whisenhunt took over as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator in 2004, the same year the team drafted Roethlisberger, who went on to win offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2005, he became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl and finished third in the league in passer rating (98.6).

 

[Shane]

It's behind a pay wall, but you can read whatever you want to from this quote when Whis's hiring was announced (AZR, 1/15/2007, "CARDS CHOOSE WHISENHUNT; EX-STEELERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TURNED ROETHLISBERGER INTO SUPER BOWL CHAMPION"):

Yea that's praise reaped on Whiz for his accomplishments. Doesn't say anything in reference to what you posted earlier. That's a classic example of making something mean what you want it to mean.

 

[Shane]

Damn Shane couldn't we say that about ANY comment then? I mean as fans we get amped up when the staff says Brandon Keith looks good in practice or that Toler is making strides in the offseason. Maybe Wiz is just saying that to build their confidence I guess???

Or maybe people actually say what they mean once in awhile.

Seems to me Pete made an insightful comment on a player he knows intimately and has genuine belief in.

Really? I mean are you really going to try and equate the praise that a coaching staff reaps upon a guy from day one of training camp in his first season in the league to an ex coach/player relationship? Especially one where that player was his 3 years starter at QB and brought him 2 national championships? Come on man.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Really? I mean are you really going to try and equate the praise that a coaching staff reaps upon a guy from day one of training camp in his first season in the league to an ex coach/player relationship? Especially one where that player was his 3 years starter at QB and brought him 2 national championships? Come on man.

Alright Shane. Let me get this straight. So what you think is that Pete really doesn't think Matt has the chops to play in the NFL and when asked about him, because they have a previous relationship, just told Sando that Matt was going to be terrific? Seriously?

The point I am making is that sometimes people actually say what they mean and I think its pretty cynical of you to question Carroll on that kind of thing. Maybe he's bias. But it sounds like he believes Matt can be a big time player in this league and has said multiple times before. And why wouldn't he. Matt delivered time and time again for him.

 

[Big D]

Everyone around the league seems to know him as "Kenny". Where have you guys been?

I was just trying to be funny and yes I've heard Billick, Tim Ryan, and maybe another guy or two call him Kenny. I've called him Kenny. It's like in baseball where everyone just gets the "ie" added to the end of your name.

 

[Shane]

Alright Shane. Let me get this straight. So what you think is that Pete really doesn't think Matt has the chops to play in the NFL and when asked about him, because they have a previous relationship, just told Sando that Matt was going to be terrific? Seriously?

The point I am making is that sometimes people actually say what they mean and I think its pretty cynical of you to question Carroll on that kind of thing. Maybe he's bias. But it sounds like he believes Matt can be a big time player in this league and has said multiple times before. And why wouldn't he. Matt delivered time and time again for him.

Dude did you even read what I wrote back in post 104? It explains exactly what I think.

I think that very simply that Carroll may absolutely believe what he says about Matt. That is a possibility.

But the guy absolutely had a bias for Matt and a relationship. It wouldnt shock me in the least if those guys talked on a month to month basis and have for years since college.

So while your point is that sometimes people actually say what they mean. Mine is that some people say stuff that they don't mean based on who it is and their relationship with them. That's just human nature.

That's why Demsmyboys was dead on with what she said. Its nice to hear it from Carroll for sure. But in the end it doesnt mean much and you have to take what he says about Matt with a grain of salt.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Dude did you even read what I wrote back in post 104? It explains exactly what I think.

I think that very simply that Carroll may absolutely believe what he says about Matt. That is a possibility.

But the guy absolutely had a bias for Matt and a relationship. It wouldnt shock me in the least if those guys talked on a month to month basis and have for years since college.

So while your point is that sometimes people actually say what they mean. Mine is that some people say stuff that they don't mean based on who it is and their relationship with them. That's just human nature.

That's why Demsmyboys was dead on with what she said. Its nice to hear it from Carroll for sure. But in the end it doesnt mean much and you have to take what he says about Matt with a grain of salt.

So the bottom line is you think Pete is bias and I think he is credible with the role he played in Matt's previous success and would be the one person whose opinion I trust on Matt.

Kind of a glass half full/half empty thing I guess.

 

[Shane]

So the bottom line is you think Pete is bias and I think he is credible with the role he played in Matt's previous success and would be the one person whose opinion I trust on Matt.

Kind of a glass half full/half empty thing I guess.

His opinion on Matt is nice and all(if its his true thoughts). But that was in college against far inferior talent and with the most talented offensive team college football has probably ever seen.

Now Matt is four years removed from that has completely different footwork and mechanics and is overall just not the same person he was 4 years ago on the field.

The person I tend to give the most credence to when it come to whether or not Matt can succeed at that position is Whiz. He has held no punches while being here saying in the media that Matt needs to work harder and improve in his mechanics etc.. etc.. He has shown that he wont hold back. Him and only him is the only reason why I am more than willing to give Matty the benefit of the doubt going into this season.

 

[Mitch]

It's behind a pay wall, but you can read whatever you want to from this quote when Whis's hiring was announced (AZR, 1/15/2007, "CARDS CHOOSE WHISENHUNT; EX-STEELERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TURNED ROETHLISBERGER INTO SUPER BOWL CHAMPION"):

The problem is, K9, you'd have a stronger argument if Leinart had been drafted by Whiz. Whiz inherited him the same way he inherited Clancy Pendergast. Management wanted Whiz to work well with both of them...which is one of the reasons why Whiz elected to name ML the starting QB heading into 2008, even though KW was coming off a very good 5-3, 28 ppg second half of 2007.

Look...let me make something perfectly clear...I do not "hate" Matt Leinart. I am highly critical of his skills, his leadership and what little he's done with the chances he's had, while being paid handsomely to perform.

I've said this before and I will say it again, if ML plays tough and lights it up this year and the Cardinals win, I will be happy.

Warner proved me wrong. I thought he was washed up...looked supremely tentative in the pocket, was especially tentative in the red zone, and was hanging onto the ball way too long...thus turnover prone. All of us were thinking he was washed up at that time...not just me.

Whiz came along and changed all those deficiencies in Warner's game.

And after he did, I and Red Desert were about the only two on the board who thought he should be the starter heading into 2008. So---out of fairness---please don't paint a one-sided story. We are all able to change our minds. We are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Warner gave me great reasons to change my mind. Will Leinart?

Lastly, the one thing about Warner that I never doubted in him was his toughness. You don't hold onto the ball as long as he did without being tough. I never saw him play afraid, even in his last half as a Cardinal after he was plastered in the first half.

And what I loved about Warner was how stat and points hungry he was once the ball started rolling. I will never forget the GB playoff game. It was the BEST QB performance I have ever seen...he could take no break...he had to score one TD after another versus a danged good defense that he made look silly.

These are the things that I am not sure of about Leinart. If he is tough and he gets that burning hunger to stack scoring drives in consecutive piles, I will become a huge fan.

 

[Shogun]

LOL.

You guys sure like to argue.

 

[nashman]

Can't wait for you to become a huge Leinart fan Mitch! And forget all that BSP talk haha

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Everyone around the league seems to know him as "Kenny". Where have you guys been?

Well, yesterday I was over on the P&R board getting called "old" by Mulli.

 

[nashman]

Love your sig quote of Mitch Shogun think that will be proved wrong shortly!

 

[Shogun]

Love your sig quote of Mitch Shogun think that will be proved wrong shortly!

LOL. Don't drag me into this war.

After all the Leinart talks on this forum, the quote was just too good not to sig, nothing more.

 

[Early]

That's funny, because he was handed the job here, twice i would say, and both times he did not manage to hold it. Obviously, he wasn't good enough for the pro game. He couldn't score, that was by far the biggest issue, and he had too many collapses as well. Collapses are OK, even the best have them at times, but when you basically can't score a TD and don't have the ability to run a show, you can't be a good starting NFL QB. You can protect the ball and go in defensive mode, and that's what he has been doing so far, but it won't get you far in NFL.

Due to this, he will never be handed a job, he had that luxury before, and it won't happen.

As for Pete Carroll, he too has first to show his opinions work in the NFL and not only college, before he can start to make opinions that lots of people will accept as valid.

 

[Mitch]

That's funny, because he was handed the job here, twice i would say, and both times he did not manage to hold it. Obviously, he wasn't good enough for the pro game. He couldn't score, that was by far the biggest issue, and he had too many collapses as well. Collapses are OK, even the best have them at times, but when you basically can't score a TD and don't have the ability to run a show, you can't be a good starting NFL QB. You can protect the ball and go in defensive mode, and that's what he has been doing so far, but it won't get you far in NFL.

Due to this, he will never be handed a job, he had that luxury before, and it won't happen.

As for Pete Carroll, he too has first to show his opinions work in the NFL and not only college, before he can start to make opinions that lots of people will accept as valid.

It's just weird that Petey is trying to help Kenny...

But, how about this?

Whiz, IMO, should go one step further...make a highlight tape of Matty's best plays at USC, highlighted by the incredibly clutch plays he made at Notre Dame, when he threw a picture perfect pass up the left sideline on 4th and 10 (with the game on the line and the clock running out and ND ahead), which resulted in a huge gain down inside the 5 yard line...and then Matty's running TD for the win. Follow this with all the clutch plays he made in the NCAA Championship games.

And then add highlight plays from the MNF game versus the Bears, especially that last drive where Matty got the team into reasonable field goal territory...some other of his pro TDs...some plays from the second half of the Titans' game this year, and then end it with the TD drive that Matty led the team on in relief or Warner in the Pittsburgh game in 2007, as a symbolic gesture of this is what you can do following Warner.

Have Matty watch it a couple of times and then simply say, "This is the Matt Leinart we want to see show up this year. Get these pictures clear in your mind. Get your swagger back. This is going to be one heckuva ride."

 

[Arizona's Finest]

It's just weird that Petey is trying to help Kenny...

But, how about this?

Whiz, IMO, should go one step further...make a highlight tape of Matty's best plays at USC, highlighted by the incredibly clutch plays he made at Notre Dame, when he threw a picture perfect pass up the left sideline on 4th and 10 (with the game on the line and the clock running out and ND ahead), which resulted in a huge gain down inside the 5 yard line...and then Matty's running TD for the win. Follow this with all the clutch plays he made in the NCAA Championship games.

And then add highlight plays from the MNF game versus the Bears, especially that last drive where Matty got the team into reasonable field goal territory...some other of his pro TDs...some plays from the second half of the Titans' game this year, and then end it with the TD drive that Matty led the team on in relief or Warner in the Pittsburgh game in 2007, as a symbolic gesture of this is what you can do following Warner.

Have Matty watch it a couple of times and then simply say, "This is the Matt Leinart we want to see show up this year. Get these pictures clear in your mind. Get your swagger back. This is going to be one heckuva ride."

 

[bg7brd]

It's just weird that Petey is trying to help Kenny...

But, how about this?

Whiz, IMO, should go one step further...make a highlight tape of Matty's best plays at USC, highlighted by the incredibly clutch plays he made at Notre Dame, when he threw a picture perfect pass up the left sideline on 4th and 10 (with the game on the line and the clock running out and ND ahead), which resulted in a huge gain down inside the 5 yard line...and then Matty's running TD for the win. Follow this with all the clutch plays he made in the NCAA Championship games.

And then add highlight plays from the MNF game versus the Bears, especially that last drive where Matty got the team into reasonable field goal territory...some other of his pro TDs...some plays from the second half of the Titans' game this year, and then end it with the TD drive that Matty led the team on in relief or Warner in the Pittsburgh game in 2007, as a symbolic gesture of this is what you can do following Warner.

Have Matty watch it a couple of times and then simply say, "This is the Matt Leinart we want to see show up this year. Get these pictures clear in your mind. Get your swagger back. This is going to be one heckuva ride."

Matt seemed to have some of that swagger back when he went into the Saints palyoff game. Hopefully it will continue on in to this season.