Carddan Says: Leinart Will Start

[Carddan]

I have struggled to understand the Coach's methods. The Coach has called a misdirection play on all of us. By stating it is more about chemistry than stats, it leads us all to believe Matt has the stats and DA the chemistry. When he names Leinart the starter four days from now, it will be a vote of confidence in his leadership and team chemistry, not just his statistical performance. Coach is propping up Matt, not tearing him down.

(I give this a 38% probability rating which is higher than most of the other guesses I can come up with)

note: Coach has NEVER said who he thinks has better chemistry or stats, he makes a statement knowing the conclusions we will jump to

 

[THESMEL]

yes

When He started DA he slid in that mesage to Arizona Cardinal fans It was directly aimed at US! discomfortable to say the least.

“I sense from our fans a little bit of discomfort because we don’t have the same guys we have had in there, and I understand that,” Whisenhunt said. “But I feel very good about the players we have on this team and knowing we will have the right combination when we start our season.”

I seen Whiz slapping hands after home playoff wins, I seen He's a fan's fan. The Cards site has a poll and fans expect Matty 85%. How do you read this into your 38%. He will start DA against our will if He thinks it's the right thing to do, in my book.

But Whiz is not about feeling He is about thinking. opponents are his mentasl toys but fans own his heart. and feelings.

I have struggled to understand the Coach's methods. The Coach has called a misdirection play on all of us. By stating it is more about chemistry than stats, it leads us all to believe Matt has the stats and DA the chemistry. When he names Leinart the starter four days from now, it will be a vote of confidence in his leadership and team chemistry, not just his statistical performance. Coach is propping up Matt, not tearing him down.

(I give this a 38% probability rating which is higher than most of the other guesses I can come up with)

note: Coach has NEVER said who he thinks has better chemistry or stats, he makes a statement knowing the conclusions we will jump to

 

[john h]

I have struggled to understand the Coach's methods. The Coach has called a misdirection play on all of us. By stating it is more about chemistry than stats, it leads us all to believe Matt has the stats and DA the chemistry. When he names Leinart the starter four days from now, it will be a vote of confidence in his leadership and team chemistry, not just his statistical performance. Coach is propping up Matt, not tearing him down.

(I give this a 38% probability rating which is higher than most of the other guesses I can come up with)

note: Coach has NEVER said who he thinks has better chemistry or stats, he makes a statement knowing the conclusions we will jump to

More from one of the "experts?". I do think that Matt has been a QB to throw short passes way to much and rarely moves it down the field in big chunks:

"On the surface, Leinart’s numbers may appear more impressive. He’s taking care of the football and he’s been extremely accurate. He’s also earned the nickname that’s being thrown around for him these days – Captain Checkdown. It’s difficult to complete 19 passes for only 161 yards. Leinart is averse to throwing the ball downfield and it showed against the Bears.

The Cardinals may need to move to more of a power running game this season with Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower(notes) now that Kurt Warner(notes) is retired. But as an organization, the belief is that Arizona possesses one of the best corps of wide receivers in the league even after the departure of Anquan Boldin(notes). Larry Fitzgerald(notes), Steve Breaston(notes) and Early Doucet(notes) are reduced Curly, Moe and Larry with Leinart at quarterback. Anderson will push the ball downfield. It’s his strength. If he could just become more accurate and use more touch on the other throws, he’d really have a chance to succeed. Leinart’s game of dink and dunk isn’t a formula for success. Not for a coaching staff that has been used to an explosive aerial attack.

“(Matt) continued to be efficient with the football,” Whisenhunt said Saturday night, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, “but once again, it's not as much about stats as it is about chemistry with the team, how you handle everything that's thrown at you. Obviously, I was very pleased with his performance (Saturday).”

So, can Whisenhunt reveal his regular season starter before the Cardinals close out the preseason Thursday against the Washington Redskins?

“I couldn't tell you right now,” he said. “This evaluation covers more things than just the games. We've had a lot of practices; there are a lot of things involved in this decision.”

This decision was made last week. Anderson will be the starter."

 

[Garthshort]

Cardan, did you clear this with Mike Lombardi?

 

[Carddan]

Cardan, did you clear this with Mike Lombardi?

Nah, I'm only 38% positive, he knows everything.

When it comes to chemistry and leadership there is one position more important than QB. It is the HC. If there are players (important ones) who have expressed concern about Matt, Coach might want to accept the heat himself. By stating "the decision will be based on chemistry" he indicates he has listened to the concerns. If he starts Matt, he is saying "he is my leader for the offense, there can not be any dissension". He would be telling those players: "it's not just his stats, he satisfied me as a leader". This is an important message to send.

 

[az jam]

This decision was made last week. Anderson will be the starter."

John H, I totally agree with you. It may not be popular especially with this Board but he is going with DA. I believe that Whiz feels he can coach him to do better.

 

[Brighteyes]

Actually, I think Carddan has more credibility than Lombardi. And 80 % of the ESPN staff.

 

[Carddan]

Actually, I think Carddan has more credibility than Lombardi. And 80 % of the ESPN staff.

You're sweet and a much better writer than anything they have.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Nah, I'm only 38% positive, he knows everything.

When it comes to chemistry and leadership there is one position more important than QB. It is the HC. If there are players (important ones) who have expressed concern about Matt, Coach might want to accept the heat himself. By stating "the decision will be based on chemistry" he indicates he has listened to the concerns. If he starts Matt, he is saying "he is my leader for the offense, there can not be any dissension". He would be telling those players: "it's not just his stats, he satisfied me as a leader". This is an important message to send.

Dan, while it would be an important message to send - heck, that message would be important for any coach to send regarding his Quarterback - it can only be sent and only received well if in fact the coach and the players truly believe it. You can't force chemistry and you can't manufacture some sort of synthetic form of leadership.
If all of the speculation is correct - that Matty simply is not a field-general and effective leader, and that he does not command the respect of his mates, I really don't believe Whiz will be sending the message you seem to want sent.

 

[Carddan]

Well, downgrading my optimism, Darren Urban, when asked on his blog if the Cardinals were quietly shopping Matt wrote: "That's the rumor"

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Carddan...you and I think alike....and you have the best face paint on the planet....buy ya a beer or 2 when I come out to a game:

“I sense from our fans a little bit of discomfort"

Tap tap tap.....is this mic on.....Does a hobby horse have a......ah better stop there.

No $hit Dick Tracy.

 

[john h]

John H, I totally agree with you. It may not be popular especially with this Board but he is going with DA. I believe that Whiz feels he can coach him to do better.

In a situation like we are in do you not think it probable that Coach Whiz went to some players like Fitz (in private) and asked him what he thought about the two quarterbacks. He would put this in his equation and would also get some input from Whiz on what the locker room is saying. With a decision as important as this I would want all the input I could get. Who other than the coaches would know better about how a QB performs than his receivers. In particular someone like Fitz who seems to be very smart and in touch. The players may be quiet publicly but you can be sure they have their preference based not only on performance but on personal like or dislike of a person. Take a player who works his butt off all season who reads about Matt and his hot tub parties may resent him. Team chemistry certainly is an important part of the decision. Will or can Matt perform to the level of an 11 million dollar QB next year? If the thought among those involved in the decision is that he cannot be an 11 million dollar QB then it might make sense to try and trade him. By the end of September these discussion may be over.

 

[THESMEL]

I think Matt was a superb field general as a rookie, Titans last year also, Green Bay preseason 300+ yards and come back last year a little better than superb.

Long balls everywhere, elite touch, on the run left or right,

Houston pass pressure and Titans blitzing every down called for quick checkdowns. Matt did a superb job in the 2 minute drill against the bears and a superberb job in the 2nd half.

9-10 17-23 in the preseason 130+ qB rating against pressure, sound like the damaged goods are the other players and the coach.

I want an explanation, He's outperformed every NFL QB by the meaningless stats that everybody measures by. Kolb aint half the QB Matty is.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I want an explanation, He's outperformed every NFL QB by the meaningless stats that everybody measures by. Kolb aint half the QB Matty is.

What in the world are you talking about??? What stats???

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Take it to the bank!

 

[Cards_Campos]

Ok I will tell you why Whiz is considering Anderson. To me it is very simple after thinking about it. Watch every game that Matt has played since he has gotten here. He has no Deep or even med/deep threat. He ran a marvelous 1st quarter against the Bears during the Monday night melt down but with the game in the balance....Denny Green didn't trust Leinart to throw a 6 yard pass after the 1st quarter...even so much that Bears were asking what are they doing to you Edge?? Leinart has never won a blow out or shoot out game for the Cards.....His Best is usually 17-24 with 155 yards and maybe a TD.....Those wont win BIG games...ASk the Jets if Snachez(ANOTHER USC PRODUCT) is really the best option?(Grumblings there now too and they atleast have a loaded Defense)

Leinart dinks and dunks the ball for 5 yards and then relys on his WR's to get yards....That would be nice if he wasn't checking down to the last option where the guy is open but then gets ganged tackled by 5 guys for 3 yards. The top QB's SLING the ball...PERIOD. Matt SHaub, Drew Brees, Manning, Brady...they all throw atleast 4 30+ yard passes a game. Leinart hasn't completed a 30+ pass without YAC in like 98% of his att's!

WHiz sees our OL not as good as once thought...And our defense is oportunistic and seems to handle turnovers from our OFfense well....SO instead of winning games 17-14...and hoping...I think Whiz wants to use Fitz, Williams and Breaston on deep plays...so it will push the linebackers and saefties back..to open lanes for our quick RB's.


But really after watching the preseason over....Leinart has tried 1 pass over 30 yards...and the the one he threw was horrible.

I also think Anderson gives us a better chance against SF heads up....The dink and dunk and smash mouth will get eaten up by the SF def.....Anderson atleast will make their corners cover!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

What in the world are you talking about??? What stats???

Don't waste your time.

 

[az jam]

In a situation like we are in do you not think it probable that Coach Whiz went to some players like Fitz (in private) and asked him what he thought about the two quarterbacks. He would put this in his equation and would also get some input from Whiz on what the locker room is saying. With a decision as important as this I would want all the input I could get. Who other than the coaches would know better about how a QB performs than his receivers. In particular someone like Fitz who seems to be very smart and in touch. The players may be quiet publicly but you can be sure they have their preference based not only on performance but on personal like or dislike of a person. Take a player who works his butt off all season who reads about Matt and his hot tub parties may resent him. Team chemistry certainly is an important part of the decision. Will or can Matt perform to the level of an 11 million dollar QB next year? If the thought among those involved in the decision is that he cannot be an 11 million dollar QB then it might make sense to try and trade him. By the end of September these discussion may be over.

John, of course he gets input from his key players and Fitz is (debatably) the premier receiver in the NFL and now a captain of the team. Whiz is not dumb, he knows what is best for the team and who can best lead the team.
Matt's lack of maturity has been and is an issue. Look how he is now whining to the media.

 

[Cards_Campos]

Somers and Urban both think Anderson will start...