Republic: McCown & Parsons to see playing time

jrjbritt

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hopefully

granted I would love to win more games, but I think that McNown and Pearsons need to start and finish a game totally, win or lose.. we need to know how they will react to having a lead or trying to comeback and make that game winning drive.. hopefully they each can get two games apiece.. parts of a game hear and there will not do them justice.. Blake needs to take seat as backup and let these younger men get the reps with the first team and run the show during the game.. I really like Pearsons and love to see what he can do in game speed.. I believe he is the better QB.. I to honestly think we blew a chance last year to get a great QB in Leftwich.. I like this years group of qb's , but I dont think any one of them will be as good a Leftwich will be.. but if I had a choice I would probably go for Manning over Rotherslinger(?) .. Graves need to step in and get this QB issue solved hopefully before the draft.. GO PEARSONS!!!!!
 

ajcardfan

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Well, how about that! I'm glad to here that both will get a shot to play. I really thought that wouldn't happen. :thumbup:
 

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here's the article:

Cards to assess situation at QB
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Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 4, 2003 12:00 AM


It's December, but the Cardinals are already glancing ahead to April and the NFL draft.

That's why it's likely backup quarterbacks Josh McCown and Preston Parsons will play in the team's final four games this year, although no one will say when or how much.

"I think we need to find out where we stand with all three of our quarterbacks," said Rod Graves, vice president for football operations, "and hopefully we'll have that opportunity before the end of the season."

With a 3-9 record, the Cardinals are headed toward a top-five draft pick and the opportunity to take a quarterback, possibly Mississippi's Eli Manning.

How McCown and Parsons fare in the final month could determine the team's draft strategy.

"Hopefully, we can win, and hopefully they'll trust in what they see whenever I get the opportunity to play," McCown said.


Jake and Blake

Jake Plummer has shown that he can be an above-average quarterback given a strong supporting cast. Jeff Blake, meanwhile, has not been able to carry the Cardinals.

Player/games Cmp./att. Yds./avg. TDs/INTs Sacked Rating
Blake/12 200-347 2,188/182.3 13/14 18 72.1
Plummer/8 133-220 1,437/179.6 13/5 11 89.9
Source: NFL.com.



Jeff Blake will start his 13th game for the Cardinals on Sunday in San Francisco, but McCown could play at a significant point in the game. And in the final three weeks, Parsons, the No. 3 quarterback, is expected to play.

That would mean either McCown or Blake would be the third quarterback for that game.

Blake, in his 12th season, was signed in the off-season to serve as a bridge to the future, presumably one that included McCown. But McCown, a third-round pick out of Sam Houston State in 2002, has looked shaky in brief appearances this season.

He has yet to throw a touchdown pass and has made several poor decisions that resulted in four interceptions.

McCown has played just one time with the game in doubt, against Seattle in the second week of this season. Blake left with a bruised heel, and McCown completed 18 of 32 for 150 yards. He was intercepted twice.



Landing a legend?
The Cardinals did not believe they had a need to select a top-rated quarterback after drafting Jake Plummer in 1997. In the past two drafts, however, as it became clear Plummer was not the answer, Arizona could have had several quarterbacks with reasonably bright futures.

2002: David Carr (1st overall) and Joey Harrington (No. 3) were gone by the time the Cardinals selected at No. 12. The only player worth a look at that point was Patrick Ramsey, who went 32nd in the first round.

2003: This year's draft afforded the Cardinals, who subsequently traded down, the chance to pick Byron Leftwich (selected No. 7), Kyle Boller (19) or Rex Grossman (22).


Three weeks ago in Cleveland, he threw two poor passes that were intercepted. He was nearly intercepted the following week against St. Louis.

His performance has management and coaches wondering whether he's a viable starter. Some in the organization think Parsons, also in his second year, might be better.

Parsons made the team last year as an undrafted rookie from Northern Arizona but has yet to play in a regular-season game. He was impressive this past preseason.

If McCown and Parsons fail to impress in the final month, the club must consider drafting a quarterback next spring.

Four other teams - Oakland, Atlanta, San Diego and Jacksonville - have won three or fewer games this season and could pick ahead of the Cardinals. But of the four, only Oakland has a serious need for a quarterback.

Other teams with a need at quarterback could trade up, however, in an effort to get Manning, regarded at this early stage as the best quarterback available.

Blake has been through all of this before. He was the starter in Cincinnati when the Bengals drafted Akili Smith in the first round in 1999. Blake moved to New Orleans the next year, was injured and lost his job to Aaron Brooks, obtained that year in a trade with Green Bay.

"It's nothing new to me," said Blake, who vowed to fight for the job. "I'm not going to quit. I'm not going to give up. I'm going to keep working hard and stay in the game."


Notes


Cornerback Renaldo Hill (ankle) went through a limited workout Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday's game. Safety Dexter Jackson (ribs, back) didn't practice and is questionable. Defensive tackle Marcus Bell (quadriceps) and tight end Freddie Jones (arm) didn't practice but are probable. Offensive tackle L.J. Shelton aggravated a right arm injury Wednesday, but it's not believed to be serious.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TEAM NOTES
NFC

FALCONS: The Falcons have the worst record in the league but at least have optimism heading into this week's game. Michael Vick is returning to the starting lineup. Vick, voted to the Pro Bowl last year, is scheduled to start at quarterback against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, his first of the season after breaking his right leg during the Falcons' second preseason game almost four months ago.


• Four months after he vowed to "fight" and "destroy" a sex-discrimination lawsuit against him, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has settled the case.


• The Falcons signed second-year CB and KR Derek Ross one day after the Cowboys released him.

EAGLES: Donovan McNabb has turned a distressing start into a special season. The three-time All-Pro QB has rebounded from the worst stretch of his five-year career to lead the Eagles to seven straight victories. His outstanding performance in the past five games earned him the NFC Player of the Month award.


AFC

BROWNS: Suspended RB William Green will have a March 8 pretrial hearing on drunken driving and marijuana possession charges. He appeared in court Wednesday, when the hearing had been scheduled. Green's lawyer was granted the new date, telling the judge he recently moved his office and did not receive case documents. Green was suspended four games Nov. 8 for a violating the league's substance-abuse program. The second-year back was eligible to return to the team Monday, but the league Tuesday extended his suspension for "treatment purposes."

PATRIOTS: New England signed rookie P Brooks Barnard to replace veteran Ken Walter, who was released. Barnard was a two-time all-ACC punter at Maryland, where he was the school's career leader in punting average.

CHARGERS: Coach Marty Schottenheimer will stick with Doug Flutie for Sunday's game at Detroit - even though the 41-year-old quarterback has delivered just one win in four starts since replacing the ineffective Drew Brees.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NFL INJURY UPDATE
NFC

49ERS: RB Garrison Hearst will miss the game against the Cardinals on Sunday with a sprained right knee. Hearst, who leads the 49ers with 768 yards rushing, was injured in the third quarter of San Francisco's loss at Baltimore last week. He had minor arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair cartilage in the knee, and he was on crutches Wednesday.

PACKERS: Safety Antuan Edwards has a torn hamstring tendon behind his left knee and will have another magnetic resonance imaging exam in a few days to determine if season-ending surgery is necessary.

AFC

BILLS: QB Drew Bledsoe missed practice, feeling tired and dizzy and unsure if he will play against the Jets this weekend. Bledsoe refused to describe his symptoms as concussion-related. But he said they stem from a helmet-to-helmet hit that forced him to miss the final 19 minutes of Sunday's 24-7 win over the New York Giants. He is listed as probable, meaning there is a 75 percent chance he will play in Sunday's home game. This was the second straight week in which he took a blow to the head.


• LT Jonas Jennings will miss the final four games of the regular season because of a broken right toe. Jennings, a third-year veteran, was injured during the fourth quarter Sunday.

TEXANS: QB David Carr (sprained shoulder) practiced lightly and remains on track to start Sunday. Carr did little throwing on the side and was limited to handing off in drills.


• RB Domanick Davis was held out of workouts with injuries to both legs.

BRONCOS: Kick returner and backup receiver Chris Cole (ribs) won't play Sunday, and the team isn't sure if he will be available again this season.
 

Russ Smith

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Excellent this should give us some answers.
 

AZCB34

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Unless both start games, I am not sure if this will be anything more than a wasted exercise. The TRUE test is to have them start...going through the whole week getting starter # reps, having game plans built around them. That is how we will really know what these guys have. We already know McCown doesn't produce when he is brought on in relief of blowouts. We know squat about Parsons other than what he did in preseason against camp fodder.

If all they will get is a series here and there just to test them, everyone is wasting their time. A series here and there was a program that should have been implemented over the last 2 seasons.

Having said all that, I am looking forward to seeing both get some action and in some ways I hope one or the other really steps up and shows everyone something.
 

40yearfan

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My only question is with our poor game planning and lack of coaching skills, are we really going to be able to evaluate how well these guys can play.

Case in point - Jake Plummer. He's doing great in Denver. Was he as bad as I thought he was or was it just our coaching situation (not putting him in a position to succeed). The same can be said for other mediocre players who left here (Cory Chaveous) and blossomed on a different team.

My point is even if we have a good QB, will this staff be able to get the best out of him?
 

SECTION 11

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Originally posted by AZCB34
Unless both start games, I am not sure if this will be anything more than a wasted exercise. The TRUE test is to have them start...going through the whole week getting starter # reps, having game plans built around them. That is how we will really know what these guys have. We already know McCown doesn't produce when he is brought on in relief of blowouts. We know squat about Parsons other than what he did in preseason against camp fodder.


My thoughts exactly. Garbage time, down by 21 points, is not evaluation time.
 

Russ Smith

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Originally posted by AZCB34
Unless both start games, I am not sure if this will be anything more than a wasted exercise. The TRUE test is to have them start...going through the whole week getting starter # reps, having game plans built around them. That is how we will really know what these guys have. We already know McCown doesn't produce when he is brought on in relief of blowouts. We know squat about Parsons other than what he did in preseason against camp fodder.


agreed to a point. With McCown clearly he does things with his legs we're not currently using in the offense. So to really see what he can do he needs to start in a gameplan for him.

Based on what I've read, that's not true of Parsons, he's not a runner at all, this current offense is probably about the same one we'd run with him in charge. Yes I want to see him start with Blake as the backup, but I think we can learn a bit more from Parsons as a backup than we can from Josh because the system we run now fits him better than it does Josh.

To really be fair though, a QB needs the week of reps and work as the starter and if that doesn't happen neither guy will get a completely fair look. It's too late to start either this week I sure hope one of them starts next week.

I liked Blake's comments too, he's a competitor he didn't knock anybody just said I am not giving up.
 

AZCB34

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Originally posted by Russ Smith
agreed to a point. With McCown clearly he does things with his legs we're not currently using in the offense. So to really see what he can do he needs to start in a gameplan for him.

Based on what I've read, that's not true of Parsons, he's not a runner at all, this current offense is probably about the same one we'd run with him in charge. Yes I want to see him start with Blake as the backup, but I think we can learn a bit more from Parsons as a backup than we can from Josh because the system we run now fits him better than it does Josh.

To really be fair though, a QB needs the week of reps and work as the starter and if that doesn't happen neither guy will get a completely fair look. It's too late to start either this week I sure hope one of them starts next week.

I liked Blake's comments too, he's a competitor he didn't knock anybody just said I am not giving up.

Parsons may function better in the offense but this is where a clever OC would tailor the offense to fit a guy like McCown. He would maybe add some new plays and wrinkles to take advantage of McCown's running abilities...and unfortunately, I am not sure the Cards have an experienced enough or clever enough OC to make those changes.

Take Chicago. Shoop, the Bears OC, gets Kordell...a mobile QB if there ever was one. Then Shoop tries to conform Kordell to the offense that was built for Jim Miller who moves less that the average rock does. Shoop felt like Kordell could adapt to his system. Kordell failed and was benched but since he has been back, Shoop (presumably) has done more to allow Kordell to use his abilities and the results speak for themselves. I think there was a sequence in the Broncos game before the Bears TD where Kordell actually ran the ball 5 straight times.

Anyways, if both guys get clear and total starts, I think the evaluation of them will be more complete than if they just get spot action no matter what the game circumstances. And maybe the bigger question is, let's say Parsons is slated to start the second half against SF and the score at halftime is 14-13 Cards. Will Mac actually put in PArsons or will his winning comes first coaching mentality deny Parsons the opportunity he was "promised"?
 

Russ Smith

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Originally posted by AZCB34

Anyways, if both guys get clear and total starts, I think the evaluation of them will be more complete than if they just get spot action no matter what the game circumstances. And maybe the bigger question is, let's say Parsons is slated to start the second half against SF and the score at halftime is 14-13 Cards. Will Mac actually put in PArsons or will his winning comes first coaching mentality deny Parsons the opportunity he was "promised"?

That's why you have to do it either as a complete start, or the way atlanta did with Vick or Chicago with McNown a few years ago. Every 3rd series or so, the backup QB is in.

I don't expect us to be very creative with it for all we know this just means they're going to start using the backup Qb as the holder on FG's.
 
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Originally posted by 40yearfan
Case in point - Jake Plummer. He's doing great in Denver.

Pressure's on Plummer

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~86~1807564,00.html

Basically the article states: that the coaching staff (Kubiak) are not at all satisfied with the state of the Broncos passing attack.
(Ranked 27th in NFL, yardage)

Granted Plummer is statistically having his best year ever (only 5 INT's) but I wouldn't catagorize his play this year as "great".
 

Russ Smith

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Originally posted by CardLogic
Pressure's on Plummer

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~86~1807564,00.html

Basically the article states: that the coaching staff (Kubiak) are not at all satisfied with the state of the Broncos passing attack.
(Ranked 27th in NFL, yardage)

Granted Plummer is statistically having his best year ever (only 5 INT's) but I wouldn't catagorize his play this year as "great".

Posted part of that article in the thread on how you win.

To be fair, part of that ranking is because Jake missed 4 games. But apparently this is the first season in over 10 years they've gone without a 300 yard passing game so if that continues that would be 12 games with Jake and no 300 yard games. Again to be fair, McCaffrey is at the end of his career and Lelie's 2nd year has been a disappointment, he's not Gilmore mind you but he's had some big drops in games this year.
 

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Originally posted by 40yearfan
My only question is with our poor game planning and lack of coaching skills, are we really going to be able to evaluate how well these guys can play.

Case in point - Jake Plummer. He's doing great in Denver. Was he as bad as I thought he was or was it just our coaching situation (not putting him in a position to succeed). The same can be said for other mediocre players who left here (Cory Chaveous) and blossomed on a different team.

My point is even if we have a good QB, will this staff be able to get the best out of him?

Check out Plummer's stats. Hasn't been that great. He's playing like an above average QB with a great supporting cast and very good offensive coach.

Bad throws are bad throws, no matter where you play.
 
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Originally posted by Russ Smith
I don't expect us to be very creative with it for all we know this just means they're going to start using the backup Qb as the holder on FG's.

This particular point is driving me crazy! Does anyone have any sensible explanation why the Cardinals do not use one of the backup QB's as placekicking holder. Not doing so, and using Scott Player for the role eliminates any possibility of a fake.:bang:
 

Russ Smith

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Originally posted by CardLogic
This particular point is driving me crazy! Does anyone have any sensible explanation why the Cardinals do not use one of the backup QB's as placekicking holder. Not doing so, and using Scott Player for the role eliminates any possibility of a fake.:bang:

I know we've talked about it before. I can only assume that josh isn't a good holder, maybe he keeps pulling the ball away like Lucy and Charlie Brown?

I'm with you, always have a backup QB, WR or DB as a holder so you can run fakes, and so you have an athlete there in case of a bad snap or botched hold.
 

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I listen to all the Cardinals info I can get, and from what I'm hearing from many different sources, McCown and Parsons will get significant playing time these last four games ... but we will not tip our hand during the week, so the teams we play will not be able to game plan for any specific QB.

Mac said that.

Last night on Jimmy O's Big Red Rage, he had James Hodgins and Freddie Jones as guests. Pasch asked them about the game this week, and Hammer and Freddie went on and on about ramming the ball into the line with Marcell or Emmitt, with the Hammer, Freddie, AND Bush on the field at the same time. (music to my ears) Then, they basicly said they couldn't give away the game plan, so everything they just said could be B.S...

Oh by the way, look for Plummer to go huge these last four games. They'll need to give Portis a break before the playoffs.
 

mdamien13

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Originally posted by Lex
Oh by the way, look for Plummer to go huge these last four games. They'll need to give Portis a break before the playoffs.

Did you mean to say "Look for Plummer to try huge these last four game? :D
 

AZCB34

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Originally posted by Lex
Oh by the way, look for Plummer to go huge these last four games. They'll need to give Portis a break before the playoffs.

He has been called up publically by his OC so we will see how he responds. Pretty much at this point, the Broncos need to run the table to make playoffs...I mean a guaranteed spot. They are in a fight for one playoff spot since it appears one wild card will go to either TEN or IND.

Portis will not get a break until they have been eliminated from the playoffs or have clinched a playoff berth. DEN is 27th in the league in passing according to today's EVTrib (some of that is on Steve B.) so they need to crank it up.

Tough test against KC this weekend.
 

Lex

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mdamien13-

You jester you.

Shanahan and Kubiac are like mad scientists, they do crazy things because they think they're smarter than the average bear.

THEY decide who's going to get the ball.

THEY take all the credit.

THEY have been lining up this weeks game for a month.

THEY devise game plans for all kinds of different reasons.

THEY lie about injuries if it suits thier purpose.

THEY are about to unleash game plans that will make Jake look like the best thing since JE. Just in time for the playoffs.

If thier plan works, they were right about thier moves during the season, and they'll get the credit.
 

40yearfan

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Originally posted by CardinalChris
Check out Plummer's stats. Hasn't been that great. He's playing like an above average QB with a great supporting cast and very good offensive coach.

Bad throws are bad throws, no matter where you play.

Let me clarify "great". Great as in 13 TD's vs. 5 INT's and an 89.9 QB rating. Compare that to his last year as a Cardinal - 18 TD's vs. 20 INT's and a 65.7 QB rating. This is a "great" improvement in his personal stats. If he had had an 89.9 QB rating with the Cards last year, he would probably still be here. Is it because he has improved or has that coaching staff put him in a better position to succeed?

Don't get me wrong. I am not a Plummer advocate. I think the worse thing the Cards ever did to that kid was give him enough money where he really never had to work again. He no longer has that hungry look in his eyes.
 
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If Parsons starts one game and sees decent time in another, then I am a happy man.
 

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Originally posted by Lex


Oh by the way, look for Plummer to go huge these last four games. They'll need to give Portis a break before the playoffs.

Who gives a crap about Plummer his weaknesses are concealed in the Bronco's scheme, I think you have a crush on Plummer dude
 

Russ Smith

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Originally posted by DevonCardsFan
Who gives a crap about Plummer his weaknesses are concealed in the Bronco's scheme, I think you have a crush on Plummer dude

And concealing weaknesses is a bad thing?

I think ultimately they'll find out they can't get a full season out of jake in that scheme, but Shanahan and Kubiak should be commended for how good they've made Jake look. Don't forget that 10 of his TD's are in 4 games, San Diego(twice) Detroit, and Oakland, 4 very weak secondaries. The 2nd Raider game partly due to rain, partly due to scheme they shut jake down, but Portis went nuts.

That said, it'll be tough for Jake to go "huge" the last 4 weeks. KC's defense is nothing special but after that he finishes with a home game with Cleveland(not tough) and then on the road in Indianapolis and Green Bay. he's got his work cut out for him and that's why Kubiak challenged, him, Shanahan said on Monday they weren't getting enough plays from the pocket, he and Kubiak know they can't beat the Colts and Packers on the road relying on bootlegs.

KC gameplan will be interesting they don't have a great defense they just outscore people and win with special teams, really interested to see what Shanahan's first 20 plays look like. Portis is still hurting(foot) but he sure didn't let it bother him last week.
 

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