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Heisman Trophy Winner Matt Leinart Could Be Bumped to Third String
Published: May 17, 2009
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After the Arizona Cardinals won the 2008 NFC Championship, Matt Leinart was quoted as saying he could have led the team just as far as Kurt Warner.
Now, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has said, during 2009 training camp, Leinart will have to compete with Brian St. Pierre for the No. 2 spot behind Kurt Warner.
Confidence is key, but Leinart’s chances of becoming something in the NFL are hindered by his delusional self image.
How in his right mind could he think his game is as good as Kurt Warner’s?
The answer lies in the question. Leinart is not right in the head. For fun, let’s just compare Warner and Leinart.
The body of Kurt Warner’s work speaks for itself. It’s debated whether or not he will end up in the Hall of Fame, but in my mind he’s a shoe-in.
Warner had all of those great performances with the Rams (the greatest show on turf), throwing to one of the most exciting and dominant receiving tandems in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Also, Marshall Faulk was a dual threat, and at one time he could not be stopped.
What Warner has done for the Cardinals is impressive in a different way because he had to gain his proper place as a starter back from Leinart. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have emerged as the best receiving tandem in the NFL, with Warner throwing them the ball.
Warner has played in three Super Bowls and currently holds the record for pass yards in the big game. His overall career stats are 28,581 yards, 182 touchdowns, 114 interceptions, and a 65 percent completion rating.
Matt Leinart’s NFL career is most remembered for being on the losing end of one of the biggest second half comebacks in Monday night history in 2006 against the Bears. Up 23-3 at the half, Matt Leinart and the Cardinals somehow found a way to lose it.
Leinart’s career stats are 3,458 yards, 14 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 56 percent completion rating.
It might not be fair to compare Leinart and Warner in this way. Leinart hasn’t had that many chances.
I’d like to point to a single game in which Leinart played the first half and Warner played the second. This is the best comparison because they played against the same defense in the same conditions.
It was against the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
Leinart’s first half was abysmal. He completed nine passes on 20 attempts for 53 yards—no interceptions though, which is good. Leinart’s passer rating for the game was 52.1.
This wasn’t his worst outing.
Warner’s second half was amazing. He completed 15 passes on 20 attempts for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Warner’s passer rating was 150.0.
The Cardinals lost the game, but it was not Warner’s fault.
Warner came into the game with a fire, and he trusted himself like he always does. Warner and his quick release was threading balls to his receivers, moving the ball down the field with authority against a good Ravens defense.
In comparison, Leinart’s first half was emotionless. He was lofting balls up to no one. It was never more evident that he lacked the decision making skills of a good NFL quarterback than in that game.
Personality-wise, Warner and Leinart couldn’t be more different. When Warner is a backup, he’s always engaged in the game trying to help his team. Leinart at times pouts on the sideline as a backup, feeling sorry for himself that he’s not playing.
Warner got his status in the NFL through unadulterated work progress starting in the Arena Football League and at one time bagging groceries.
Leinart appears to want his spot as a starter handed to him.
He’s not the first QB to achieve greatness at the college level and fail professionally, and he won’t be the last.
Just look at the list of QB Heisman Trophy winners. It’s a list of who’s who in NFL flops with just a few exceptions.
I’d say the Cardinals should trade Leinart, but I don’t think anyone wants him. If he wants to remain the number two guy with a shot at potentially playing down the road for the Cardinals, Leinart has to work harder.
That still might not be enough.
The Arizona Cardinals’ D-Line in Transition: Darnell Dockett Wants Out
Published: May 17, 2009
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The boys are not back in town.
Three key players most likely will not be returning to the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals’ defensive line.
Darnell Dockett has demanded a trade after the Cardinals refused to give him more money. Nothing is certain at this point, but it looks like he’s gone.
Antonio Smith is already gone to the Texans. He left quickly. The Texans signed him on February 28th, just 27 days after the Cardinals’ Super Bowl let down. He got paid. Smith should be good for them.
Travis LaBoy, a little known hybrid defensive end, will undergo ankle surgery this month and could miss the entire season. For those of you who don’t know him, he’s the white guy with long hair coming out the back of his helmet a la Pat Tillman.
It has been said that the defense wins championships. The Cardinals almost disproved that last year. They played inspired defense in the playoffs, but that’s not what got them there.
They fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast shortly after their loss on the world’s biggest stage when the Pittsburgh Steelers came back to win with a long, methodical drive orchestrated by “Big Ben” Roethlisberger.
That drive was truly amazing, but the NFL (like all professional sports) is about the bottom line. The Arizona Cardinals’ defense failed them when it mattered most.
They were a lot better than in years past, but the Cards’ defense gave up over 30 points five times last season. Three of those games were over 40, and one was over 50.
The Cardinals were 16th in the league in rush defense, giving up 110 rush yards a game. They tied for 14th overall in sacks with 31 on the season.
The point is their defensive line was middle of the pack. Let’s not forget they’re in the NFC West, which, aside from the Cardinals, was the weakest offensive division.
So, the Cardinals’ defensive line has room for improvement. It looks like they’ll have to rebuild, but it could work out for the best.
The Cardinals drafted four defensive players including outside linebacker Cody Brown from the University of Connecticut and defensive end Will Davis from Illinois. Scouts weren’t talking them up too much, but maybe the Cards see something they don’t.
They still have Bertrand Berry, a 12 year veteran on a one year contract who will get a lot more playing time than last year. This could be his last season.
Since the Cardinals’ defensive line was middle of the pack they have room to improve, but they also have room to regress. How they promote and develop their players will determine their success or failure.
Former linebacking coach Bill Davis is now the defensive coordinator. The linebacking core for the Cardinals has been solid since Davis has been coaching, so it will be interesting to see if his promotion translates to overall defensive improvement.
Anquan Boldin and the Arizona Cardinals: Stay Together for the Kids?
Published: May 16, 2009
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As Anquan Boldin’s seemingly lifeless body lay in the New York Jets’ end zone on week four last year I wasn’t the only one who thought, “That man is dead.”
After being sandwiched by two lunging Jets defensive backs, Boldin’s head hit the ground hard and his body went limp. He was knocked out and had to be carted off on a stretcher.
Jets fans everywhere were chanting, “He got, JACKED UP!” emulating the ESPN segment touting the biggest hits of the week and season.
Cardinals fans didn’t immediately recognize the seriousness of the situation. Boldin takes hits, that’s his MO. He’s usually the guy initiating the contact and undoubtedly the toughest receiver in football.
So when it was revealed Boldin would have to undergo structural face surgery and receive metal plates, the severity of his injury was evident.
Surprisingly the only person who considered retirement after this incident was Kurt Warner. He felt responsible for the play. In Warner’s eyes he never should have thrown the ball into double coverage.
That play really drives home how dangerous the NFL can be. Most QB’s don’t want to throw into double coverage because it could result in an interception. This play shows throwing into double coverage is also risky for the health of your teammates.
I knew Boldin was tough, but to only miss two games after such a punishing hit was amazing and inspirational.
Boldin is a football player. Plain and simple. When he’s saying he wants more money it’s because he deserves it. He puts his career, and sometimes his life on the line in every game.
So the Cardinals management has an interesting choice as they debate how to handle Boldin’s contract situation.
On one hand they already have a talented number one receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, while on the other Boldin is the kind of player that will elevate any team he plays for.
My advice to the Cardinals management is to pay Boldin whatever he wants. Especially because Warner and Fitzgerald have said they will take pay cuts in order to keep Boldin on the team. It makes fiscal sense to get the most for the money.
Plus Boldin and Fitzgerald have been on the same team their whole careers. If they stay together they will be debated as the best receiving tandem of all time.
With all the flashy wide receivers begging for attention in the league, Boldin has never succumbed to such degradation.
When Boldin asks for more money it’s not because he thinks his marketability has outgrown his pay, it’s because his play on the field is a superior product and the only way he knows how to play is dangerous.
Boldin wanted more money last year, but the Cardinals refused to rework his contract. Boldin missed training camp but played anyway. He stayed together for the kids, knowing his spat with management wasn’t going to be resolved.
But now it seems Boldin recognizes he can’t gamble with his body.
As the NFL heads toward an uncapped season it’s time for teams to pay up, especially to players that are part of their identity.
In order to build on their success last year the Cardinals should keep Boldin for all the right reasons.
