Whiz Created This Mess: A Chronology

[Zeno]

So I should blame Whis for this forum going to hell?

Somebody has to be to blame because it has become almost unreadable recently.

Between the QB controversy and the Boldin situation it's groundhog day over and over.

 

[Duckjake]

Somebody has to be to blame because it has become almost unreadable recently.

Between the QB controversy and the Boldin situation it's groundhog day over and over.

As a long time Cardinals board poster you should know this is nothing new for us.

For example: http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/who-stole-matt-leinart-81446.html

Ten years of 5-11 will make any fan a little crazy.

 

[ajcardfan]

I NEVER would've believed it when McGinnis was coach. Mitch was the most optimistic fan I had ever run across. But, this is now Mitch....

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[MaoTosiFanClub]

Is there any way to track down Mitch's old articles? The series on the big roles every member of our 2003 undrafted free agent were going to play and the diatribe on how Denny Green deserved to be fired before coaching a game for cutting such quality talent as LJ Shelton were classic.

 

[TJ]

Somebody has to be to blame because it has become almost unreadable recently.

Between the QB controversy and the Boldin situation it's groundhog day over and over.

Has one of the major television stations picked up this soap opera yet? It could be called something like "Days of our Cards"

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So now Edge is in this grand conspiracy to bench Warner?

Alright everybody its time to get out your tin foil hats. We need to make sure that the evil coach Whisenhunt doesn't brainwash us also

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[RugbyMuffin]

I NEVER would've believed it when McGinnis was coach. Mitch was the most optimistic fan I had ever run across. But, this is now Mitch....

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I never got my cookie.

 

[black]

A Rare black post on ML/KW

A different personality is what you get with either QB, whiz wants direction quickly. He has the likeness in the running game, now its almost time to pull the trigger Whiz.

A can overstate again about our o-line, its hard to throw a pass under pressure, but a running game is what the doctor ordered. We'll find out soon enough.

May I inflect that Whiz used numerous QB's throughout the season and games, so whoever gets the job, its still up for grabs. It would really be a bad situation if both KW and ML sucked.

 

[Duckjake]

Is there any way to track down Mitch's old articles? The series on the big roles every member of our 2003 undrafted free agent were going to play and the diatribe on how Denny Green deserved to be fired before coaching a game for cutting such quality talent as LJ Shelton were classic.

For the few who don't already know:

You can still access every post made on ASFN going back to March of 2003.

Scroll down to the bottom of the "Arizona Cardinals" screen and make your settings "from the beginning" and list in "ascending" order.

You can also search for threads started and "posts by" an individual screen name.

Going back and reading the old threads is great fun and a terrific cure for insomnia.

 

[slanidrac16]

I am sorry, Slan, but I just don't agree with you.

The first mistake was naming Leinart the starter BEFORE he earned it. What QB played better last year?

Whiz gives us the crock line that starters who get hurt deserve to still be starters.

At the very least...this should have been billed an an open competition.

That would have been fair to both parties.

And I really have a problem with a coach who sends "messages" via the media to other players vying for a starting job (see Lutui and Branch)...and then makes excuses for others. That's a mistake.

Matt Leinart is being given special treatment and, IMO, this is going to have negative backlash on the football team.

It isn't just this year...Warner was clearly better QB last year...he'd come into games and suddenyl the stagnant offense under Leinart was moving...and then come second half Leinart is right back in there.

As a fan I have a hard time believing Whisenhunt's own mantra that "the best players play."

And I am sick and tired of Cardinal coaches who equivocate.

Very well, Mitch. We'll agree that we disagree. But I have to wonder what this board would be like if Leinart was lighting it up? I wonder what everybody would be saying if Leinart was 34 of 40 passing with 500 yards 5 td's and no ints?
I know he isn't, but if that was the case this forum would be nominating coach Whiz for a write in ballot for the upcoming presidential election.

I know what everyone will say in response...Leinart isn't lighting it up. However, there was only one way to find out about Leinarts "progress" to this point and that was give him the reigns and every opportunity to see where he was at as the starting QB.
Again, if Warner played only 10 minutes in this preaseason , we KNOW what he brings to the table and we KNOW he would be ready by game one.

Therefore, I don't see how anybody can knock what Whiz is doing.

 

[john h]

Let me first say that I have a profound respect for the direction Whiz is taking the Cardinals. There's so much to feel optimistic about (what a wonderful reprieve for us much beleaguered Cardinals fans!)...the deepest roster in the modern era...creative utilizations of the personnel...and exemplary organization...so, it pains me to criticize him in this case...but, from this vantage point, it appears he deserves it.

Cases in Point:

1. Last year, for right or for wrong, Whiz decided to bring Leinart along slowly...so slowly in fact, Leinart was being replaced in the middle of the second quarters by Kurt Warner, as Warner was assigned the team's "two-minute" QB.

What was a little curious about this was the fact that at USC and with the Cardinals (as in the Bears game on National TV), Leinart was pretty darned good in the two minute drill.

Whiz said it was too much too soon for Leinart to learn...which is why he gave the role to Warner.

Now...seeing as Warner showed he was particularly effective at the role, Whiz made a good call tabbing Warner for that role. No fault there...but Whiz was bucking NFL tradition by regularly playing and alternating two QBs. Colleges do this, not NFL teams.

But...what was this doing to Leinart's psyche when the same script was being rolled out in the first five games???...the offense would struggle early (no first drive TDs and very few first quarter points) with Leinart under center...in comes Warner, he moves the offense in a manner that looked so strikingly easy in comparison to what Leinart was doing...

Then...how many times did we as fans beg for Whiz to start Warner in the second halfs, especially after he was the one moving the team? Raise your hand. I did every time.

The raise your hand if you were upset to see Leinart trot out to start the second half?

Imagine how hard that was for Leinart? It was hard enough for us, the fans.

Leinart had to know that his teammates most likely wanted Warner themselves. Warner, after all, was moving the team.

Then, in the Pittsburgh game, when Warner led the team to a lead, Whiz sends Leinart back in and Leinart leads the team down and scores an insurance TD...and the TEAM thing was on...and we all went WOW...how gutsy...way to lift Leinart's spirits back up.

The next game versus the Rams, Leinart starts and is struggling again and then suffers his season-endidng injury.

Warner comes in and leads the team to a 34-31 victory.

But, Warner gets hurt himself..misses the Carolina game, yet amazingly returns for the Washington game, donning a Michelin man cast on his left elbow...and almost pulls out the game in a 19-21 loss.

Warner starts the rest of the way, and under his leadership the Cardinals average over 30 points a game for the second half of the season.

Yes, it wasn't all pretty...Warner's fumbling propensity remained an issue and an Achilles' heel...and in one game Warner and offensive coach Todd Haley were screaming at each other on the sidelines after Warner made a bonehead throw trying to escape a pass rush.

But...the season ended on quite a high note...Warner looked at the top of his game...and the usually low scoring Cardinals scored 78 points in their last two games, both victories.

2. With the off-season, it would have seemed appropriate that Whiz treat the QB situation the same way he tends to treat the situations at the other positions: put the job up for competition.

With no pressing urgency to do so, Whiz announces to the media that Matt Leinart is the team's starter and mentions that his policy is that injured starters don't lose their jobs.

The insider question is in this case: was Whiz prompted by the front office to make this move?

Let's examine the alternatives: (A) What if Whiz named Warner the starter? Would Warner therefore have been entitled to a new contract that paid him starter's money? In a year where the team was trying to solve the Fitz, Pace, Dansby, Boldin contract dilemmas, could they afford to reopen discussions with Warner? Why not name Leinart the starter, which would diffuse the Warner contract situation, and then if Leinart fails and Warner wins the job later, the new contract is a moot point then. (B) What if Whiz called for an open competition? Would Warner have still wanted a reworked contract? Would this be the vote of confidence that some may have felt Matt Leinart needed? What shadow of doubt would this place on the Cardinals' using a #10 draft pick to select the Heisman Trophy winner?

3. Heading into camp the word is the starting QB's job is Leinart's and it's his "his job to lose." Leinart has worked hard and studied film diligently, we are told by Whiz...we are also told not to over-react to Leinart's off-field beer bong party debacle...

Regardless...all indications were that Leinart was to be the starter.

4. Leinart starts game one---a nationally televised game on ESPN---and plays well. Kurt Warner is not even played in the game...and is his usual class act on the sidelines during an in-game ESPN interview. Warner states his desire to start, but says he understands how the Cardinals could be looking to the present and future with Leinart.

5. The next week...with all the reason now in the world to start Leinart again, seeing as Leinart played well, (note: and if the coach really wanted to diffuse any possible QB controversy, he could easily do so now)...BUT...Whiz elects to start Warner and then have Leinart play second fiddle.

This is how and why pundits like ESPN's Chris Mortenson sit up and take notice.

Warner plays well...not great...but well...Leinart comes in and steadies himself after a shaky start...the Cards win their first pre-season game under Whiz...and the now talk of the burgeoning QB controversy is overshadowed by a disgruntled Anquan Boldin who has gone to the media to insist the Cardinals trade him.

6. Now it's on to the Oakland game and Leinart is back starting. The initial plan was to have him and all the starters play into the third quarter...only, Leinart plays about as poorly as a QB can play, tossing up three ill-advised interceptions.

Whiz looks understandably perturbed on the sidelines...and yanks Leinart after the third interception...Warner comes in moves the team briefly on the first drive but the drive fizzles, the Cards lead 3-0 at halftime, and after Warner's first two drives of trhe second half--which featured an inspired running attack--the score is 17-0 Cardinals.

7. After the game, Whiz is attributing a couple of Leinart's interceptions to receivers being in the wrong place...which smacks more like a pitch to sell 50 acres of swampland in the Everglades.

8. After the game, Leinart has bolted from the lockeroom and does not stick around for interviews.

9. That very evening, there's a report coming out of ESPN from Chris Mortenson that the Cardinals are "expected to name Kurt Warner the starting QB." Supposedly this is from an inside source.

10. Two days later...Whiz states that "no decision has been made on the QB situation." Is he being disingenuous? Is he smarting from the ESPN report and feeling like "Chris Mortenson" made the decision?

While Whiz is likely trying to further protect Leinart's feelings...and not do anything more to pour salt in his wounds...the uncertainty continues...Whiz previously hinted that it may be a good thing to keep the decision unknown right up until game time: "to keep the 49ers guessing."

Maybe, too, even though it might sting Leinart a little----which may be good for him in the long run---maybe Whiz should be as critical to the media of Leinart as he has of Deuce Lutui or Alan Branch. Whiz admits he was sending them "messages." One didn't hear him making excuses for them.

But..it seems as if Whiz is holding a double standard here...he protects Leinart and he throws jabs at others like Lutui and Branch. Of course, the whole naming the starter BEFORE training camp was another double standard, as Whiz's preaches competition everywhere else.

And if Whiz truly has made "no decision"...maybe that's the real problem right there. Why not perpetuate this controversy?

There will be no controversy if our starting QB wins the first few games. If he loses the first few there will be unending controversy. The starter is Whiz's call and no one is in a better position to make it than him so I think it should be Warner I will back Whiz on what ever move he makes. Regardless of all the talk it will be up to the starting job to get the job done and win. Talk is just talk and what you do on the field during the game is what counts.

 

[40yearfan]

Well said. I agree wholeheartedly!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so getting tired of the whining & wimpering on this board. This is the best team we've had since the Coryell years & everyone is consumed with this so-called QB controversy. It's real easy. Maybe, just maybe, Matt Leinart isn't quite ready for the HOF yet. The equivalence of 1 stinking year on the field & we think he should great. Well, he isn't. Not yet anyways.

Furthermore, what the hell is up with criticizing Whisenhunt!!!! Do the names Bob Hollway, Bud Wilkinson, Hank Kuhlmann, Joe Bugel, Buddy Ryan, Dave McGinnis, Dennis Green, etc, etc bring back memories. I've been following this team since the early 60's & I think this is the most balanced team I can remember. Yes, this is a better all-around team than the teams in the 70's.

Can we just sit back & enjoy this team.

Absolutely this is a better team than the 70's. Twice as much talent----on both sides of the ball. We didn't have a defense then, but we sure do now.