Submitted Without Comment: "Leinart Confidant States Case for QB"

[kerouac9]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/26918/leinart-confidant-states-case-for-qb

From Sando's blog. Haven't read it yet.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Matt Leinart jocker thinks he got screwed. In other news, the sky is blue. Can we please stop the madness until he actually does something?

 

[kerouac9]

Matt Leinart jocker thinks he got screwed. In other news, the sky is blue. Can we please stop the madness until he actually does something?

Did you actually read the post? There are some interesting things in there. For me, the money quotes are at the end.

Mike Sando: Was it a personality thing between Leinart and Whisenhunt?

Chuck Price: It was completely. He had his view about the way a quarterback was supposed to lead. Coach Whisenhunt was a blue-collar football player who made the most of his career. He was very, very unheralded and probably feels he earned everything he got through unbelievable hard work and a 24-7 commitment. In his mind, he did not see that in Matt. Maybe he did not look hard enough. Maybe he could not get past the fact Matt was a Heisman Trophy winner out of USC and had a reputation that was given to him that was not really Matt's fault. That was the perfect storm. The personality of Coach Whisenhunt and what he achieved and how he achieved it as a player was unbelievable.

Mike Sando: What is the next step for Leinart?

Chuck Price: This is the transition. The past is now behind us and the future is very bright. I think there is some justification for that thought. He is learning now under an unbelievable quarterback head coach, a guy who was very, very into Matt when Matt was coming out. He was very aware of who Matt was and like the skill set. The word out of Houston so far is all positive. There are going to be a lot of quarterback openings and not a lot of guys out there that have the NFL experience that Matt has. He has not played in a lot of games for a guy who has played five years. He's healthy. Four years under Kurt is invaluable. When he gets the chance, he will show.

 

[ajcardfan]

While I certainly agree with the idea that we would've been better off with Leinart, Leinart made a short-sighted decision in requesting to be cut. He obviously would've been the starter by now with the chance to prove his critics wrong.

I also think Whis being overly enamored with Max Hall was maybe even more important than him not liking Matt.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I didn't think there was a whole lot new in there. Most of it is stuff we've already heard from others. Perhaps there is more credibility coming from an "insider?" I dunno.

 

[Russ Smith]

I didn't want him cut and I don't disagree with much that's in there but Chuck Price is Leinart's agent. If you asked DA's agent or Max Hall's agent I think they would speak highly of their clients too.

He said the Cards didn't like his style of leadership, I don't know exactly what it was but clearly Whiz didn't think Matt was the guy and personally I think he's better than who we have now.

I always go back to Mark Sanchez before the draft his year talking about how much he learned about how tough it was to play QB at USC with Hollywood there and all the stuff that goes with it. He said I learned so much about how to work hard from guys like Carson Palmer and John David Booty. The first part about Hollywood and what came with it was a clear comment about Matt, the second part was a clear omission of Matt. People said before the draft that Sanchez was intentionally "distancing himself from Leinart" that is he was afraid people would think he was the same guy Matt was and it would hurt his draft stock.

Unfortunately I think there's a perception of Matt right or wrong and he's having a hard time shaking it.

And it's not helping that in an offense he should thrive in he's still #3 behind Orlovsky at the midpoint of the season.

I wish we'd handled that whole thing differently but we didn't.

 

[Mulli]

So Chuck Price is an agent?

Whiz questioned Leinart's work ethic, but agent thinks "he didn't look hard enough."

Got it.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Did you actually read the post? There are some interesting things in there. For me, the money quotes are at the end.

Yes. It was exactly what I expected, I'm surprised that you're surprised.

Even more hilarious is that you give credence to the amateur psychoanalysis of Leinart's agent:

"He had his view about the way a quarterback was supposed to lead. Coach Whisenhunt was a blue-collar football player who made the most of his career. He was very, very unheralded and probably feels he earned everything he got through unbelievable hard work and a 24-7 commitment."

Exactly...Whis would prefer a less talented qb because he was a blue collar guy. It's amazing that Whis didn't quit the minute they picked Big Ben in the first 10 picks!

Again, while I'm delighted and shocked that Leinart's agent thinks highly of him, let's start our discussions on him when he actually does something in the NFL other than lock down a #3 qb spot.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

So Chuck Price is an agent?

Whiz questioned Leinart's work ethic, but agent thinks "he didn't look hard enough."

Got it.

Bingo. Price is hardly going to come out and say, "Matt stinks. Whiz was right." Price is still trying to sell Matt. The money quote is "the future is bright". That's agent-speak for "He's still in our stable. Anyone wanna talk $$?"

 

[Jersey Girl]

Bingo. Price is hardly going to come out and say, "Matt stinks. Whiz was right." Price is still trying to "sell" Matt.

The headline to the story should read "Leinart agent ..." not "Leinart confidant."

 

[kerouac9]

Yes. It was exactly what I expected, I'm surprised that you're surprised.

Even more hilarious is that you give credence to the amateur psychoanalysis of Leinart's agent:

"He had his view about the way a quarterback was supposed to lead. Coach Whisenhunt was a blue-collar football player who made the most of his career. He was very, very unheralded and probably feels he earned everything he got through unbelievable hard work and a 24-7 commitment."

Exactly...Whis would prefer a less talented qb because he was a blue collar guy. It's amazing that Whis didn't quit the minute they picked Big Ben in the first 10 picks!

Again, while I'm delighted and shocked that Leinart's agent thinks highly of him, let's start our discussions on him when he actually does something in the NFL other than lock down a #3 qb spot.

It's probably because Roethlisberger wasn't drafted in the top 10 picks. http://www.drafthistory.com/years/2004.html

And he still started Touchdown Tommy Maddox for the first two games of the Steelers season.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It's probably because Roethlisberger wasn't drafted in the top 10 picks. http://www.drafthistory.com/years/2004.html

Ha, got me! Semantics at it's finest...11 is demonstrably different than 10, point completely invalidated. The point remains the same...the idea that Whiz has something against highly regarded players is somewhere beyond stupid.

And he still started Touchdown Tommy Maddox for the first two games of the Steelers season.

"He" didn't start anyone. If I recall correctly, Bill Cowher was head coach.

 

[Pariah]

I have very little doubt that Leinart will go on to a decent career in the NFL, even if that's as a journeyman QB for hire. And, I say good for him; I think he got a really bum deal here in AZ. I fully admit he wasn't the guy I (or any other AZ fan, for that matter) hoped he'd be coming out of college, but he was going to be at least average...and we'd all kill for average play out of the QB position right now.

 

[football karma]

ever since the collarbone injury, Leinart played like he didnt want to be hit

probably the worst thing about the preseason was the fact that the oline was in disarray and hits were plentiful on the QB. That was about the worst thing for a qb that was gun shy at that point.

History might have been different had the o-line protection been solid and given Matt some time to stand and deliver passes, build some confidence and go from there.

 

[Pariah]

ever since the collarbone injury, Leinart played like he didnt want to be hit

Yep. I think that's what will keep him from being a really good QB. I still think even playing gun shy he'll be at the very least a good backup in the league for a good while.

 

[Catfish]

While I certainly agree with the idea that we would've been better off with Leinart, Leinart made a short-sighted decision in requesting to be cut. He obviously would've been the starter by now with the chance to prove his critics wrong.

I also think Whis being overly enamored with Max Hall was maybe even more important than him not liking Matt.

I disagree with the part about Leinart being released because he asked to. I don't believe there is ANY way that the FO keeps Leinart on this team as a backup, (paying him the money he would be getting), once Whiz chose DA over him.

I believe he was gone regardless of what he requested. I won't dispute that he wanted out after Whiz chose DA over him. He had been subjected to Whiz's scrutiny of him for well into the 4th year by now. He was in a no win situation with Whiz, who was NEVER going to see Leinart's worth.

With regard to players complaining about his leadership abilities-----when this happens there is almost always someone who goes on record about not wanting to play for an unliked QB. I have as yet, not been able to find ANY player who said anything about this being the case, and I find that very strange indeed. With all the tweets that go out into the public realm, I can't recall even one where a player ragged on Leinart, let alone any player going on the record of not wanting to play for him. My impression is that this is totally on Whiz, and may not even be how the players felt about him.

As food for thought, I still believe that Leinart will become a decent starting QB in this league, and will be successfull as a starter.

 

[Russ Smith]

With regard to players complaining about his leadership abilities-----when this happens there is almost always someone who goes on record about not wanting to play for an unliked QB. I have as yet, not been able to find ANY player who said anything about this being the case, and I find that very strange indeed. With all the tweets that go out into the public realm, I can't recall even one where a player ragged on Leinart, let alone any player going on the record of not wanting to play for him. My impression is that this is totally on Whiz, and may not even be how the players felt about him.

How many went on record speaking up for Matt after it happened?

I don't think there's any question somewhere along the way Matt lost guys on the team. If you go back to his rookie year the guys believed in him, Chiefs game, Bears game, they were confident in Matt Leinart. Somewhere along the way that changed, and apparently Whiz felt it was something that was irreparable.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

How many went on record speaking up for Matt after it happened?

I don't think there's any question somewhere along the way Matt lost guys on the team. If you go back to his rookie year the guys believed in him, Chiefs game, Bears game, they were confident in Matt Leinart. Somewhere along the way that changed, and apparently Whiz felt it was something that was irreparable.

Right! Go out there and defend the guy who's just been cut...

Good way to get on the Coach's sh*t list.

It seems evident that the guys in the dressing room knew that Whiz had serious issues with Matt, and the smart thing to do is shut up.

 

[oaken1]

I disagree with the part about Leinart being released because he asked to. I don't believe there is ANY way that the FO keeps Leinart on this team as a backup, (paying him the money he would be getting), once Whiz chose DA over him.

I believe he was gone regardless of what he requested. I won't dispute that he wanted out after Whiz chose DA over him. He had been subjected to Whiz's scrutiny of him for well into the 4th year by now. He was in a no win situation with Whiz, who was NEVER going to see Leinart's worth.

With regard to players complaining about his leadership abilities-----when this happens there is almost always someone who goes on record about not wanting to play for an unliked QB. I have as yet, not been able to find ANY player who said anything about this being the case, and I find that very strange indeed. With all the tweets that go out into the public realm, I can't recall even one where a player ragged on Leinart, let alone any player going on the record of not wanting to play for him. My impression is that this is totally on Whiz, and may not even be how the players felt about him.

As food for thought, I still believe that Leinart will become a decent starting QB in this league, and will be successfull as a starter.

The only near suspicion of this that I have seen, is when I posted on Larry's FB page about how the coaching staff really screwed the pooch on the QB situation, and the post got deleted, quickly.............other than that I have seen nothing from any player that indicates they were unhappy with Leinart.

 

[Russ Smith]

Right! Go out there and defend the guy who's just been cut...

Good way to get on the Coach's sh*t list.

It seems evident that the guys in the dressing room knew that Whiz had serious issues with Matt, and the smart thing to do is shut up.

Before, remember the rumor was out there almost a week, maybe longer from when Lombardi reported it until we cut Matt.

I don't recall a single player in that week saying anything on the record or off.

Counter that with Minnesota where according to Cris Carter several players have said off the record they agree with the decision to cut Moss, and several have said off the record they don't like the decision.

I'm sure there were players who wanted Matt to stay, just not enough to speak up even anonymously.

 

[WarnerHOF]

Before, remember the rumor was out there almost a week, maybe longer from when Lombardi reported it until we cut Matt.

I don't recall a single player in that week saying anything on the record or off.

Counter that with Minnesota where according to Cris Carter several players have said off the record they agree with the decision to cut Moss, and several have said off the record they don't like the decision.

I'm sure there were players who wanted Matt to stay, just not enough to speak up even anonymously.

Minnesota is run by a joke coach that has no control over the locker room. How many players spoke out when Randy Moss was traded by the Pats?

 

[Duckjake]

Before, remember the rumor was out there almost a week, maybe longer from when Lombardi reported it until we cut Matt.

I don't recall a single player in that week saying anything on the record or off.

Counter that with Minnesota where according to Cris Carter several players have said off the record they agree with the decision to cut Moss, and several have said off the record they don't like the decision.

I'm sure there were players who wanted Matt to stay, just not enough to speak up even anonymously.

Does anyone know why, if CKW didn't want Leinart and was apparently enamored with Brian St.Pierre, why the Cards didn't try to trade Leinart last year?

Or did they and not get any takers? Or was BSP so bad that they felt they had no alternative but to keep Matt?

 

[LittleDavis]

I still haven't got over this. I have loved the Cardinals for 30 odd years and I have appreciated what wiz has done but this was a bonehead move. DA and Max Hall are flat out average or below. I don't care if Hall knows more than Wiz...his skill set isn't there. DA has a good skill set with horrible decision making. We'll see but Leinart was 10 times more stable than what we have. I am still pissed about that move. Lastly, I trust Wiz but I would like to know what he saw in Leinarts body of work that led him to go with DA and Hall.

Also, I have a business and I understand what it is like to have talent with a different mentality. It can be difficult to watch someone with natural ability not live up to it or nurture it. I have fired a couple of people for not fitting in my system and I have been humbled by it a couple of times. We'll see who the great coach was; Wiz, Haley or Warner.

 

[vince56]

ever since the collarbone injury, Leinart played like he didnt want to be hit

We have a winner. Exactly. He was gunslinging the first year with Denny Green, albeit in quite a few losses, but when Whiz got here he was much more timid but still stood strong in the pocket, I thought. After the injury, he's captain checkdown. So unfortunate.

 

[cardpa]

Well it won't be long before we find out whether it was the right move to dump Matty boy.

He becomes a FA after this season so we will see how many teams are interested in him. He certainly isn't going to stay in Houston.