Clayton: Arizona's Diagnosis

[Russ Smith]

Not to say Leinart hasn't been bad, but if he made a couple more high percentage plays say to Boldin would increase his net just through sheer Boldinness.

The main worry I have with this guy and some share is that he looks just.... for a lack of a better phrase off back there. Missing passes, falling and generally just looking bad back there.

I still have high hopes for his career but he does need to get his head on straight and make plays or else Warner will for him and ****** his growth for another year.

I will say this I was watching the replay today on NFL net at lunch and that last play where they were accusing of him of not seeing Fitz wide open in the endzone prior to Rackers missing the FG just before the half. I couldn't see on camera so I'll take their word for it that Fitz was open but if you notice, he hit Boldin in stride for a probable first down and maybe more, but Anquan dropped it.

now I love Anquan as much as anybody and he had a monster day, and maybe Matt did miss Fitz(couldn't see on tv) but the fact is he made a good throw there and it was dropped. One of those deals where when you're not going well, nothing goes your way.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

I will say this I was watching the replay today on NFL net at lunch and that last play where they were accusing of him of not seeing Fitz wide open in the endzone prior to Rackers missing the FG just before the half. I couldn't see on camera so I'll take their word for it that Fitz was open but if you notice, he hit Boldin in stride for a probable first down and maybe more, but Anquan dropped it.

now I love Anquan as much as anybody and he had a monster day, and maybe Matt did miss Fitz(couldn't see on tv) but the fact is he made a good throw there and it was dropped. One of those deals where when you're not going well, nothing goes your way.

Whiz did say Matt had 4 dropped balls ( woulda, coulda, shoulda put him at 13/20 compared to 15/20 for KW). Not sure how many drops KW had.

 

[BigRedArk]

Highly doubtful IMO. But if it makes you feel better about his play ok.

Plays call to go to the open WR. You cant tell me that we havent had open WR's downfield. We have seen them. Commentators have outright stated that Leinart has had WIDE open WR's downfield on several occasions. Yet he failed to even look at them. Fitgerald twice and Boldin at least once that I can remember. He just isnt looking downfield.

Let's see now...Matt's played all of 14 or 15 games and he is indeed going through a rough patch right now and you're ready to throw him on the scrap heap!

Everybody's different and maybe he just learns at a different rate than Cutler or Young. Maybe this is a blessing-in-disguise and he will come out of this a better man and a better player. Did you ever consider that?

I can't think of any really good QB's that didn't ever have to go through a "down" time in their play. Maybe your expectations for him are too high? Maybe you should cut the dude a little slack? Ever consider that?

 

[Duckjake]

Let's see now...Matt's played all of 14 or 15 games and he is indeed going through a rough patch right now and you're ready to throw him on the scrap heap!

Everybody's different and maybe he just learns at a different rate than Cutler or Young. Maybe this is a blessing-in-disguise and he will come out of this a better man and a better player. Did you ever consider that?

I can't think of any really good QB's that didn't ever have to go through a "down" time in their play. Maybe your expectations for him are too high? Maybe you should cut the dude a little slack? Ever consider that?

What do you think Leinart is? Some kid from Oklahoma State?

 

[BigRedArk]

What do you think Leinart is? Some kid from Oklahoma State?

No but he is still for all intents and purposes a Rookie. Joe Namath had a rough patch when he first came into the league. So did Bart Starr, Jim Hart, Brett Farve, Neil Lomax, Steve Young, John Elway, Troy Aikman....the list goes on. The ones that don't have some sort of learning curve are few and far between.

Just think of all of the Heisman QB's that never even see playing 14 games in the NFL. Just because ML came from a big time program doesn't mean that he isn't going to have to adjust to the pro game. Maybe as teams see more of him they are now starting to figure out ways to defense him?

 

[Duckjake]

No but he is still for all intents and purposes a Rookie. Joe Namath had a rough patch when he first came into the league. So did Bart Starr, Jim Hart, Brett Farve, Neil Lomax, Steve Young, John Elway, Troy Aikman....the list goes on. The ones that don't have some sort of learning curve are few and far between.

Just think of all of the Heisman QB's that never even see playing 14 games in the NFL. Just because ML came from a big time program doesn't mean that he isn't going to have to adjust to the pro game. Maybe as teams see more of him they are now starting to figure out ways to defense him?

I saw him outside of AJ's and his mother was feeding him free range chicken.

 

[Brian]

Not really. I just like to follow this stat because some NFL writer said that you could tell who won most football games solely by knowing which team had the highest yards per attempt passing.

I started watching it a few years ago. Haven't followed it as closely recently but still look every so often just for fun. For instance last week the teams with the higher ypa were 10-6.

I read that exact same article a few years back and I also pay attention to it now. I believe it was an ESPN article.

I've found it has a lot of validity.

 

[Spielman]

I read that exact same article a few years back and I also pay attention to it now. I believe it was an ESPN article.

I've found it has a lot of validity.

The Hidden Game of Football
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Game-Football-Next/dp/1892129019

It's a bit dated now (even the updated edition is 10 years old) but it's still a fantastic introduction to the underlying principles and real meanings of football stats. It deserved to be a lot more famous than it is.

Suffice to say, yards per attempt is the measure of the effectiveness of a passing offense or a QB.

 

[Mulli]

The Hidden Game of Football
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Game-Football-Next/dp/1892129019

It's a bit dated now (even the updated edition is 10 years old) but it's still a fantastic introduction to the underlying principles and real meanings of football stats. It deserved to be a lot more famous than it is.

Suffice to say, yards per attempt is the measure of the effectiveness of a passing offense or a QB.

I did not know that. Interesting stuff.