Somers Reports That Leinart Is Still The Starter

[Stout]

I said this in previous threads - for once, I have no idea on what the Cards should do with the starting QB position. So, for the first time in my life, I'll lie on the "the coaches know more than me, any decision they make I'll be fine with" sword. It hurts me to do it, but I sure as hell couldn't make this decision.

I think I'm finally with you on this one. I'm always so damned stubborn and opinionated that I HAVE to have a rock-solid opinion, but not this time. I'll let Whiz handle this one.

 

[D-Dogg]

What was so horrible that I said?????????????????????

You cant find one post of mine riding Leinart for the Oakland game. In fact, I said that I wasn't going to blame him a bit for that game because the Raiders have the best secondary in the game IMO and we didn't watch any film on them.

You didn't say anything overly out of line...simply one post in a stream of the same tidal wave on the board. The proverbial final straw. What caused me to single out your post is the pouty whiny biootch aspect, and the general over-importance on that that you, and a lot of other people have on any of that kind of stuff. But that was simply the jump-off point for my post...it mostly had nothing to do with you. You were simply my rant's opening act.

The Oakland game just caused a lot of people to creep out of the woodwork with their thoughts...not you, because you've been consistently up front about them.

But Matt Leinart hasn't had the results, good or bad, to rationalize the both adoration and complete revulsion displayed on this board. There are several "cut him" comments. He's done, blah blah blah. There was the same feeling under the surface in his two good games this preseason (oh, it was vanilla NO defense...oh, he sucked/only did well against second team). Once he actually sucked in a game, the floorboards came up and people stormed the castle.

Cardinals fans in general are horrible with growing pains in any player (see Wilson, Adrian) and in a QB especially so. When there's a solid QB on the roster such as Kurt, there is absolutely NO patience at all. Now, it is debatable whether there should be patience, but this is not debate. It is yelling and ridiculing and calling out the head coach because some fans don't like that he hasn't made the decision publicly, and the media running our team to the "see I told you so" of some fans. FFS, there are comments such as "if Matt Leinart is in a winnable game and we lose it, and Kurt's on the bench, well blah blah clap trap claptrap." Okaaaaay...because Kurt has never lost a game on his bad play? Or because the Cards are supposed to go undefeated this year? I'm not sure of the logic behind that.

It's amazing that Kurt has been elevated to God-like, and Matt is the evil, whiny, partying hotshot QB who sucks out loud and will make us terrible. In reality, we have two decent QBs, each with their own issues. One used to be great and won't be there again, another that won't likely be as great as the other used to be but could end up pretty good in his own right. In short, neither guy is a world beater, now or anymore. We aren't going to the Super Bowl with either one. It's just football.

I'm just absolutely shocked as to why this is front page ESPN, the only thing we talk about on ASFN and so freaking polarizing. Lienart hasn't done anything to deserve this concentrated attention and the heart-attack-waiting-to-happen reactions.

 

[Stout]

3. I strongly disagree with the trashing and/or discrediting of Chris Mortensen by some in this thread. What is Mortensen supposed to do, ignore his source and not report what he heard from that source? It's fine to disagree with him, but the guy gets paid well to report "inside information" and he is just doing his job. His report was nuanced to the point of saying "the expectation" was that Kurt Warner would be named the starter. Only Mortensen knows how reputable and reliable his source was. Don't shoot messenger!

He should be shot, then drawn and quartered, Red. Reporters live and die by their sources. If they put it on the line because of the source, they have put their own credibility on the line right alongside the source's. And if they're wrong, they most certainly take the heat for it. Yeah, Mort said 'expectation', but the report was such that America was supposed to know that Warner would be named in the next few days. Okay, your source sucked, so you take the hit. You be a real reporter and do what they do when they're wrong--you explain yourself, why you reported what you did, and go on ahead and try to spin it in a positive way. You don't try to brush it under the rug. Screw Mort. Still fun to watch on ESPN but, as I already knew, you always have to get confirmation on every word he says, because he just fabricates so much.

 

[football karma]

First -- I think Warner should, and will, start against SF

that being said -- if Warner starts, you can bet that the team will need Leinart to play at some point during the season. At 37 and given his propensity to stand in and deliver the ball -- Warner will miss some time.

Given you need Leinart this year, and possibly in the future -- keeping Matt's confidence up is critical. You want his last moment in game action to be a positive one. You cant have Leinart walking on to the field during the regular season with the Oakland performance being his last live experience.

No question that Whis is walking a tightrope here --

 

[TJ]

He should be shot, then drawn and quartered, Red. Reporters live and die by their sources. If they put it on the line because of the source, they have put their own credibility on the line right alongside the source's. And if they're wrong, they most certainly take the heat for it. Yeah, Mort said 'expectation', but the report was such that America was supposed to know that Warner would be named in the next few days. Okay, your source sucked, so you take the hit. You be a real reporter and do what they do when they're wrong--you explain yourself, why you reported what you did, and go on ahead and try to spin it in a positive way. You don't try to brush it under the rug. Screw Mort. Still fun to watch on ESPN but, as I already knew, you always have to get confirmation on every word he says, because he just fabricates so much.

Journalist are responsible for their sources. Clearly, Mort did not do his homework, as the story broke less than 12 hours after the game was over on a Sunday. This was before anyone on the coaching staff had an opportunity to talk with players and review tape. Mort should have checked, rechecked, and checked again before reporting. Now everyone on ESPN has to cover his backside to avoid smearing his "good name." Too much of journalism these days is not about the quality of the story, but how fast you can beat the competition to getting it out, and Mort has demonstrated the latter on several occasions.

Adam Shefter of the NFL Network his your prime example of how a sports journalist should conduct himself. Just about everything he reports turns to gold. He is so thorough, that he pisses off owners on a regular basis (like Al Davis)

 

[Totally_Red]

He should be shot, then drawn and quartered, Red. Reporters live and die by their sources. If they put it on the line because of the source, they have put their own credibility on the line right alongside the source's. And if they're wrong, they most certainly take the heat for it. Yeah, Mort said 'expectation', but the report was such that America was supposed to know that Warner would be named in the next few days. Okay, your source sucked, so you take the hit. You be a real reporter and do what they do when they're wrong--you explain yourself, why you reported what you did, and go on ahead and try to spin it in a positive way. You don't try to brush it under the rug. Screw Mort. Still fun to watch on ESPN but, as I already knew, you always have to get confirmation on every word he says, because he just fabricates so much.

Who knows who his source is. I don't blame for Whis for being upset with the report because it put him in an awkward position. No coach wants this stuff splashed across the media. Whis can manage this situation fine, but then some insider blabs to Chris Mortensen and it's damage control time.

Mortensen is a big boy and has been wrong before. But I still think someone in the front office or in the media group gave him a tip and he ran with it. Whoever the source is, they sure aren't doing Whis any favors right now.

 

[Pariah]

Journalist are responsible for their sources.

Eh. Yes and no. Most journalists with integrity will use two sources, but if those sources turn out to be wrong, it's really not on the reporter if those sources were as close as he could get to the story and they were legitimate "insiders."

 

[Mitch]

LOL

Mitch didn't you just write a thread that championed the genius of Wiz. And now because he benched a guy you like you question all his credibility.

You also wrote about Warner finishing the season strong and this is where his numbers took the beiggest spikes because he had like 7 TD's and few TO's. Well those games were meaningless. He's AROD can you and CC see that? If he would have started all those games that Matt supposedly "messed up for him" then he wold have lost those critical ones too. That's just his M.O.

To me Warner is the better QB on the road. But for this team and the "offense" you speak of (just because we have Boldin and Fitz doesn't mean Wiz wants to run the GSOT) Leinart is the play. He had a bad game but I bet against Denver at home he has a stellar game.

If not then start Warner. But if he does I can guaran-damn-tee you that you Pro Warner guys will be saying "oh well its against the scrubs"

Hes a young guy. He doesn't play well on the road yet. I think he deserves the chance to grow in to that.

And Wiz is a god send for this team. I will not have this anarachy and disparaging of his name.

With all due respect, AF, I think you misunderstood the gist of my post. I prefaced it by saying that I am very happy with the direction Whiz has taken with the Cardinals...which was a confirmation of the kudos I was heaping on Whiz in previous posts.

This time around...in this scenario, I feel Whiz warrants criticism for the way in which he has created and perpetuated the QB controversy, and, moreover, how he doesn't always stick to his own mantra of "the best players play."

Cards_Campos asked a great question yesterday about Whiz's credibility. I think it's a fair question to ask, althoug some of the pissy posters on there were bashing him for writing yet another QB thread. I thought it was the best thread of the day.

I think that for the most part Whiz has strong credibility. But nobody's perfect...and Whiz is still learning how to be a head coach in the NFL.

These are my issues and questions:

1. Why did he have to name Leinart the starter (in the off-season) before Leinart earned it? Especially when his overall policy---which I think is a great one---is to open the jobs up for competition.

2. Whiz's ambiguous rhetoric regarding Warner's chances were bothersome, IMO. Was Warner in a competition for the job or what? We were basically told it was Leinart's job to lose. Well, out of plain and simple respect for Kurt Warner---who deserved a MUCH better shake out of this deal---how about the possibility of it's Kurt Warner's job to win, too? Or how about Lienart's job to win?

3. Last year...Leinart starts, struggles, is replaced by Warner who moves the team before the end of the first half---and do the best players play to start the 2nd half? No. Leinart is trotted out there again. Now this kind of jockeying is happening this pre-season from game to game.

If it's really not a QB competition---and it's Leinart's job to lose---after Leinart plays well versus New Orleans, why in the world does Whiz pick that time to start Warner in the next game?

4. The irony is that Whiz is incenced that ESPN and the media are reporting sources and projecting Warner as the starter...and what Whiz has done has prompted such media attention.

If Leinart starts versus the Chiefs...and he plays well again, does the ESPN staff have their antennae up?

5. Was Whiz being disingenuous when he stated to the media yesterday: "No decision has been made?"

What do you think?

I think that privately Warner has been the guy all along...

I think that it was hopeful thinking that Leinart would be able to seize the job away...and that Whiz's naming of Leinart as the starter was encouraged by the front office....for two reasons: (1) yes, it would be great iof the younger player, a top ten draft pick, were indeed the QBOP and QBOF; (2) the front office did not want to reopen contract discussions with Warner this year to pay his legitimate starter's money, feeling as if they couldn't afford to with all the other key contract negotiations they needed to make this off-season.

If Warner wasn't the guy all along, why would Whiz start him at all this pre-season, when it was already stated that Leinart is the starting QB?

Especially on the heels of Leinart playing well.

If your answer is...they need both QBs to get time with the starters...that could have been easily arranged without Warner getting a start.

On a side note: I recognize and feel somewhat chagrinned that I over-reacted on some of my follow up posts yesterday. As those of you who heard me suffer through all the deception and poor decisions of the Denny Pie Chart Green days...I have a very hard time accepting any coach's equivocations, deliberate ambiguities, deceptions and double standards. All I want is what's fair. If it's a competition, call it a competition. If the mantra is the best players play...then let the best players play.

Lastly, and perhaps this is a huge part of why I feel so passionate about this situation...

I am sick and tired of seeing Kurt Warner toyed around with. This guy deserves the highest standards of respect. He EARNED a legitimate shot to COMPETE for the starting job---at the very least on an equal playing field. But...for him to have to once gain take a back seat to a younger far less proven QB, without there being an equal competition, is downright wrong...not after the kind of season Warner just gave this team.

As usual, Warner has handled himself with the utmost class...he has helped Leinart along and been the ultimate good teammate...and once again he has had to reiterate to the media his desire to play (almost having to prove himself all over again), while not trying to step on any toes. Talk about humble pie.

To this date, Warner has not complained...when of anyone on this team, he has the biggest right to.

 

[cgolden]

My problem isn't with Mort as much as it is ESPN as a whole. He orginally reported it as 'according to a source,' ESPN was the one who twisted it and reported it as fact.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

With all due respect, AF, I think you misunderstood the gist of my post. I prefaced it by saying that I am very happy with the direction Whiz has taken with the Cardinals...which was a confirmation of the kudos I was heaping on Whiz in previous posts.

This time around...in this scenario, I feel Whiz warrants criticism for the way in which he has created and perpetuated the QB controversy, and, moreover, how he doesn't always stick to his own mantra of "the best players play."

Cards_Campos asked a great question yesterday about Whiz's credibility. I think it's a fair question to ask, althoug some of the pissy posters on there were bashing him for writing yet another QB thread. I thought it was the best thread of the day.

I think that for the most part Whiz has strong credibility. But nobody's perfect...and Whiz is still learning how to be a head coach in the NFL.

These are my issues and questions:

1. Why did he have to name Leinart the starter (in the off-season) before Leinart earned it? Especially when his overall policy---which I think is a great one---is to open the jobs up for competition.

2. Whiz's ambiguous rhetoric regarding Warner's chances were bothersome, IMO. Was Warner in a competition for the job or what? We were basically told it was Leinart's job to lose. Well, out of plain and simple respect for Kurt Warner---who deserved a MUCH better shake out of this deal---how about the possibility of it's Kurt Warner's job to win, too? Or how about Lienart's job to win?

3. Last year...Leinart starts, struggles, is replaced by warner who moves the team beofre the end of the first half---and do the best players play to starty the 2nd half? No. Leinart is trotted out there again. Now this kind of jockeying is happening this pre-season.

If it's really not a QB competition---and it's Leinart's job to lose---after Leinart plays well versus New Orleans, why in the world does Whiz pick that time to start Warner in the next game?

4. The irony is that Whiz is incenced that ESPN and the media are reporting sources and projecting Warner as the starter...and what Whiz has done has prompted such media attention.

If Leinart starts versus the Chiefs...and he plays well again, does the ESPN staff have their antennae up?

5. Was Whiz being disingenuous when he stated to the media yesterday: "No decision has been made?"

What do you think?

I think that privately Warner has been the guy all along...

I think that it was hopeful thinking that Leinart would be able to seize the job away...and that Whiz's naming of Leinart as the starter was encouraged by the front office....for two reasons: (1) yes, it would be great iof the younger player, a top ten draft pick, were indeed the QBOP and QBOF; (2) the front office did not want to reopen contract discussions with Warner this year, feeling as if they couldn't afford to with all the other key contract negotiations they needed to make this off-season.

If Warner wasn't the guy all along, why would Whiz start him at all this pre-season, when it was already stated that Leinart is the starting QB?

Especially on the heels of Leinart playing well.

If your answer is...they need both QBs to get time with the starters...that could have been easily arranged without Warner getting a start.

On a side note: I recognize and feel somewhat chagrinned that I over-reacted on some of my follow up posts yesterday. As those of you who heard me suffer through all the deception and poor decisions of the Denny Pie Chart Green days...I have a very hard time accepting any coach's equivocations, deliberate ambiguities, deceptions and double standards. All I want is what's fair. If it's a competition, call it a competition.

Lastly, and perhaps this is a huge part of why I feel so passionate about this situation...

I am sick and tired of seeing Kurt Warner toyed around with. This guy deserves the highest standards of respect. He EARNED a legitimate shot to COMPETE for the starting job---at the very least on an equal playing field. But...for him to have to once gain take a back seat to a younger far less proven QB, without there being an equal competition, is downright wrong...notafter the kind of season Warner just gave this team.

As usual Warner has handled himself with the utmost class...he has helped Leinart along and been the ultimate good teammate...and once again he has had to reiterate to the media his desire to play, while not trying to step on any toes. Talk about humble pie.

To this date, Warner has not complained...when of anyone on this team, he has the biggest right to.

Fair enough Mitch - you know what I think I want to happen. Matt to start and Kurt to come in and run the two minute offense to change it up.

I thought it was a good idea at the time and think it will allow Leinart to grow into the starter role without costing us the game.

I know everyone wants to "win" now but I honestly think we can win 9 - 10 games with either QB - just in different ways.

 

[jefftheshark]

With all due respect, AF, I think you misunderstood the gist of my post. I prefaced it by saying that I am very happy with the direction Whiz has taken with the Cardinals...which was a confirmation of the kudos I was heaping on Whiz in previous posts.

This time around...in this scenario, I feel Whiz warrants criticism for the way in which he has created and perpetuated the QB controversy, and, moreover, how he doesn't always stick to his own mantra of "the best players play."

Cards_Campos asked a great question yesterday about Whiz's credibility. I think it's a fair question to ask, althoug some of the pissy posters on there were bashing him for writing yet another QB thread. I thought it was the best thread of the day.

I think that for the most part Whiz has strong credibility. But nobody's perfect...and Whiz is still learning how to be a head coach in the NFL.

These are my issues and questions:

1. Why did he have to name Leinart the starter (in the off-season) before Leinart earned it? Especially when his overall policy---which I think is a great one---is to open the jobs up for competition.

2. Whiz's ambiguous rhetoric regarding Warner's chances were bothersome, IMO. Was Warner in a competition for the job or what? We were basically told it was Leinart's job to lose. Well, out of plain and simple respect for Kurt Warner---who deserved a MUCH better shake out of this deal---how about the possibility of it's Kurt Warner's job to win, too? Or how about Lienart's job to win?

3. Last year...Leinart starts, struggles, is replaced by Warner who moves the team before the end of the first half---and do the best players play to start the 2nd half? No. Leinart is trotted out there again. Now this kind of jockeying is happening this pre-season from game to game.

If it's really not a QB competition---and it's Leinart's job to lose---after Leinart plays well versus New Orleans, why in the world does Whiz pick that time to start Warner in the next game?

4. The irony is that Whiz is incenced that ESPN and the media are reporting sources and projecting Warner as the starter...and what Whiz has done has prompted such media attention.

If Leinart starts versus the Chiefs...and he plays well again, does the ESPN staff have their antennae up?

5. Was Whiz being disingenuous when he stated to the media yesterday: "No decision has been made?"

What do you think?

I think that privately Warner has been the guy all along...

I think that it was hopeful thinking that Leinart would be able to seize the job away...and that Whiz's naming of Leinart as the starter was encouraged by the front office....for two reasons: (1) yes, it would be great iof the younger player, a top ten draft pick, were indeed the QBOP and QBOF; (2) the front office did not want to reopen contract discussions with Warner this year to pay his legitimate starter's money, feeling as if they couldn't afford to with all the other key contract negotiations they needed to make this off-season.

If Warner wasn't the guy all along, why would Whiz start him at all this pre-season, when it was already stated that Leinart is the starting QB?

Especially on the heels of Leinart playing well.

If your answer is...they need both QBs to get time with the starters...that could have been easily arranged without Warner getting a start.

On a side note: I recognize and feel somewhat chagrinned that I over-reacted on some of my follow up posts yesterday. As those of you who heard me suffer through all the deception and poor decisions of the Denny Pie Chart Green days...I have a very hard time accepting any coach's equivocations, deliberate ambiguities, deceptions and double standards. All I want is what's fair. If it's a competition, call it a competition. If the mantra is the best players play...then let the best players play.

Lastly, and perhaps this is a huge part of why I feel so passionate about this situation...

I am sick and tired of seeing Kurt Warner toyed around with. This guy deserves the highest standards of respect. He EARNED a legitimate shot to COMPETE for the starting job---at the very least on an equal playing field. But...for him to have to once gain take a back seat to a younger far less proven QB, without there being an equal competition, is downright wrong...not after the kind of season Warner just gave this team.

As usual, Warner has handled himself with the utmost class...he has helped Leinart along and been the ultimate good teammate...and once again he has had to reiterate to the media his desire to play (almost having to prove himself all over again), while not trying to step on any toes. Talk about humble pie.

To this date, Warner has not complained...when of anyone on this team, he has the biggest right to.

1) First, I have to tell you Walt that I am, and have always been, very impressed with the readability of your posts. And that you seem to knock them out so quickly is even more impressive. That I rarely agree with you is immaterial to the fact that I totally enjoy reading your thoughts.

2) I think it is unfair to take Whiz to the woodshed for the QB situation because we are not privy to the pressures being applied to him by Ownership and Management.

3) If Whiz made a mistake, it was in Baltimore last year when Warner was inserted for a struggling Leinart, and the ensuing success insured that the current die was cast. This can be chocked up to a rookie coach making a quick decision on the fly, but it established the roots for the current situation.

4) It is impossible to call any coach in the NFL "disingenuous". I do not want any Cardinal Head Coach to ever disclose what our game plan is to the media, and to think that they have a responsibility to tell us the truth is naive at best.

5) You have a propensity for taking the side of the underdog and the downtrodden. This is a good trait to have as a person and you are to be commended for it. But as far as I am concerned, Warner is a big boy, and fully capable of watching out for himself. If he doesn't like the situation, he has every right to try and better himself, but he still has to understand the realities of the modern NFL and of Father Time.

Personally, I like that Warner has chosen to take the high road. I just wish that some of his supporters would take this road with him.

JTS

 

[Mitch]

Thanks, Jeff. BTW...you cracked me up yesterday when you summarized my thread in three lines and then said, "now get back to your regularly scheduled activities." That was very very funny.

I also appreciated the birthday gift you sent to blindseyed...you, IMO, are the most creative and humorous poster on the board.

Your point about NFL coaches sounding disingenuous is a good one...

And your other points have merit.

Thanks for the heads up.

Mitch

 

[jefftheshark]

Thanks, Jeff. BTW...you cracked me up yesterday when you summarized my thread in three lines and then said, "now get back to your regularly scheduled activities." That was very very funny.

I also appreciated the birthday gift you sent to blindseyed...you, IMO, are the most creative and humorous poster on the board.

Your point about NFL coaches sounding disingenuous is a good one...

And your other points have merit.

Thanks for the heads up.

Mitch

You're welcome and thank you! I have been reading your posts for over ten years now, having followed you from the AzCentral Board to azprosports to here, and have always appreciated the passion you have for the Cardinals.



JTS

Oh, and if anyone didn't see the picture Mitch is refering to, well here it is:

You must be registered for see images

 

[Evil Ash]

My problem isn't with Mort as much as it is ESPN as a whole. He orginally reported it as 'according to a source,' ESPN was the one who twisted it and reported it as fact.

... and they still are even though Mortenson, for all intents and purposes, retracted the story.

 

[FJM]

I've been a supporter of giving Leinart every chance in the world, but after Saturday, I can't even make a case for him.

When I said, "Let Warner Start", my buddies all looked at me like I was an idiot. The standard response was, "We know what we'll get in Warner: a 9-7 season, where his turnovers cost us 2-3 games, and we miss the playoffs." (I know, my friends are all psychic)

Call me stupid, but I think a "disappointing" 9-7 season is better than what Matt has shown he can deliver.

I still think Whiz will name Warner the starter just before the 49er game. There is no reason to announce his choice now. Warner knows he won the job. Keep our first opponent guessing...

At least that is what I hope his game is...

If Leinart costs us even one game, with Kurt still available on the bench, there will be a blood-letting like we've never seen.

Okay, when do we switch back, 2 fumbles, 3 fumbles and/or 3 picks??/ I guess we could go back and forth after every screw up.

 

[jmt]

Hillary-Warner in '08!

 

[Cards_Campos]

I guess we can re-address this question and say: Which QB would Chicago, Washington, Baltimore or Minnesota pick between the two? Which team would be scarier? A Viking team led by Warner or a Bear team led by Leinart? I can name 20 starters better Leinart and 3 back ups. 2 of the 3 West teams have a better QB than Leinart....And you could argue that every NFC East team does(maybe not Washington)...It is all moot...because Whiz doesn't come here to pcik is QB but I tell you what. If he names Leinart the starter and he fails at San Fran....Mark his days because the Media will BLAST him.....Especially since all of them have tabbed Warner the better choice.

 

[Evil Ash]

I guess we can re-address this question and say: Which QB would Chicago, Washington, Baltimore or Minnesota pick between the two? Which team would be scarier? A Viking team led by Warner or a Bear team led by Leinart? I can name 20 starters better Leinart and 3 back ups. 2 of the 3 West teams have a better QB than Leinart....And you could argue that every NFC East team does(maybe not Washington)...It is all moot...because Whiz doesn't come here to pcik is QB but I tell you what. If he names Leinart the starter and he fails at San Fran....Mark his days because the Media will BLAST him.....Especially since all of them have tabbed Warner the better choice.

Sometimes you have to go against public opinion to do what is best for the team. Fans rarely have patience.

What is needed with a young QB? Patience.

Since we're dealing with hypotheticals here: What happens if Warner is named the starter and he stinks it up? Do they back Warner unconditionally or are they calling for his head?

 

[Cards_Campos]

Also, I think our defense is good enough to absorb some of Kurt's turnovers. He was 27-17 last year..and throw in 4 fumbles he was still +6....Eli Manning WON the Superbowl and he led the league in INT's. Kurt can score quickly also...so he can regroup and even up the score so much quicker than Leinart. In fact...does anyone honestly here think Leinart could lead us from 17 down with 18 minutes to go??? He isn't built that way nor are the coaches inclined to let him play that way. So if Leinart puts us in a hole...it actually is alot deeper than if Warner puts us in one.

 

[Evil Ash]

Also, I think our defense is good enough to absorb some of Kurt's turnovers. He was 27-17 last year..and throw in 4 fumbles he was still +6....Eli Manning WON the Superbowl and he led the league in INT's. Kurt can score quickly also...so he can regroup and even up the score so much quicker than Leinart. In fact...does anyone honestly here think Leinart could lead us from 17 down with 18 minutes to go??? He isn't built that way nor are the coaches inclined to let him play that way. So if Leinart puts us in a hole...it actually is alot deeper than if Warner puts us in one.

Seriously this is just sad.

 

[Sandan]

I actually support ESPN on this...they seem to have a better understanding of what it takes to move an offense and win football games than our own head coach.

Mitch I've been staying out of this as I'm the last person I'd want to listen to however ...

I agree Warner looks to be the far better choice and coming from somebody who was preferring Matt a couple of weeks ago. This is despite the inevitable turnovers that Kurt will generate.

My point is that we KNOW NOTHING yet, to suggest Wiz is clueless is ridiculous. Can't we at least wait until we see who he starts against the 49s before we throw him under the bus.

There are any number of possibilities not the least of which is he ain't telling us what he is planning.

 

[Goober Man]

Also, I think our defense is good enough to absorb some of Kurt's turnovers. He was 27-17 last year..and throw in 4 fumbles he was still +6....Eli Manning WON the Superbowl and he led the league in INT's. Kurt can score quickly also...so he can regroup and even up the score so much quicker than Leinart. In fact...does anyone honestly here think Leinart could lead us from 17 down with 18 minutes to go??? He isn't built that way nor are the coaches inclined to let him play that way. So if Leinart puts us in a hole...it actually is alot deeper than if Warner puts us in one.

Wow...

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Mitch]

Mitch I've been staying out of this as I'm the last person I'd want to listen to however ...

I agree Warner looks to be the far better choice and coming from somebody who was preferring Matt a couple of weeks ago. This is despite the inevitable turnovers that Kurt will generate.

My point is that we KNOW NOTHING yet, to suggest Wiz is clueless is ridiculous. Can't we at least wait until we see who he starts against the 49s before we throw him under the bus.

There are any number of possibilities not the least of which is he ain't telling us what he is planning.

Nidan..I wasn't saying that Whiz is clueless. I was saying he created this mess...and I think he's been leaning toward Warner all along...which suggests to me that his premature decision to name Leinart the starter following the season was encouraged by the front office.

Who cares if ESPN is all over this??? If Whiz hadn't started Warner in game two and yanked Leinart in game three, this may not have garnered the national attention it's receiving.

 

[Skkorpion]

The official “beat a dead horse” until it tastes like chicken post…

After watching Whis’ interview on the whole Matt dealio, for the first time I think he stretched the spin too much… there’s no way to put a kind face to what Matt did last Saturday night… bad routes, bad decisions, bahhhhh… it was simply horrible and indefensible IMO, and to say he’s still your starter seems almost laughable. But I’ll acquiesce and try to remain positive since the man is closer to the action on a daily basis… and what else can be said about it, really?

But if he sticks with Matt, and the dude that showed up last Saturday is what we have to lead the effort against the 49’ers, then I’d hate to be a crow and a crockpot around the Cardinals facility… because they’re gonna get worked hard and served with a side of “What the hell were you thinking?”

P.S. To Russ… Watched that play with Q last night again, and I think your take is 100% correct… I stand corrected, sir.

Half the time, carter, I have no idea what in the hell you are saying, but I enjoy your use of the language and the font and color choices are a good pairing and easy on trifocaled eyes.

 

[Hog'sWad271]

Me too he took the blame for where he threw the ball and said it was on him but he was prepared to play the game.

Still wish he'd looked better but at least he gets what he did wrong.

that was the thing that drove me nuts with Jake for X years he'd throw a pick and then tell reporters after the game I was trying to make a play, it was a bonehead decision, I have to stop doing that, lather , rinse , repeat.

Hopefully Matt will learn from the mistakes. If not I'm fairly confident Whiz will go to Kurt.

I don't know. I thought the quote from Matt was a little odd. I mean, how can you throw into double coverages & not call it a mental error?

Jake quotes were usually true, he took too many chances and made impetuous throws, but I think poor coaching had a lot to do with it. Jake *was* coachable enough to learn to play safer, and he *did* become a ball-protecting QB as evidenced by his eventual streaks of 100+ passes w/o a pick in '01, and something like 200+ passes without a pick in '05 with the Broncs. It did take awhile, but I think the first step is for a QB to admit they need to prepare more and make smarter throws.

Leinart on the other hand, seems like naturally a more conservative QB but he was obviously very jittery on Saturday. I don't know how I feel about his not taking responsibility for mental errors. The only way I can take his "I was perfectly prepared and made the right throws, just not to the right place" is if his arm was off a LOT. Playing job-scared can lead to bad mechanics, not stepping into your throws and so on. I just think the kid is a little insecure right now on & off the field.