Matt Leinart
What was revealed tonight, on the National stage of Monday Night Football, is the football equivalent to the Emperor’s New Clothes. Seldom has the value a competent quarterback provides for a franchise been more clear. At this point it is doubtful any of the individuals listed as quarterbacks on their roster could even tie their own cleats let alone lead a team to a win. The security blanket that was Kurt Warner is now gone and life in the Arizona desert has never been colder.
What we witnessed tonight was an embarrassing display of an organization’s failure to plan for that inevitable day when the big-dog is no longer there to bail them out. Too often individuals close to a situation become blinded by optimism and fail to grasp the severity of the problem lying right in front of them. What has been clear to outsiders is that Matt Leinart will never be a good NFL quarterback. He started his career on an embarrassingly wrong foot and failed miserably to take the steps necessary to earn the top job. Each time the organization has tried to install him as the number one quarterback, he has let them down. The difference this time is that Kurt Warner is no longer there to bail the team out.
For those who would argue that tonight’s offense was missing its most potent weapon in wide-receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, I would point out that it was a pass thrown too high, one week ago that kept Fitzgerald off the field in the first place. Inaccurate passes prematurely end careers. Though Fitzgerald is expected to fully heal from the sharp hit to his knee while leaping high in the air to catch the errantly thrown Leinart pass, it is troubling to know he will again be asked to put his body in harms way. When the Cardinals open the season on the road in St. Louis on September 12, there had better be a new man under center. For the first time in a long time, the Rams might actually be favored to win the game.
Going down the Arizona QB depth chart is nearly as scary as taking a long look at Leinart. Cast off, Derek Anderson could not make a go of it in Cleveland where his head coach once tossed a coin to decide if he should start their first pre-season game. Anderson has had flashes of brilliance, but so have thousands of other incompetent quarterbacks. Further down the depth chart are two rookies; fifth round pick, John Skelton and undrafted Max Hall. The Cardinals were hoping to stash Hall on their practice squad, but due to his usage tonight, he must win the number three QB spot on the roster or be put on waivers where another team could claim him. What a mess!
What the Cardinals have is several individuals who MIGHT be good enough to serve as an NFL back-up QB. And use of the word “might,” could in fact be generous. Arizona General Manager, Rod Graves must get on the phone with the Minnesota Vikings organization and secure the services of the competent and now expendable quarterback, Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels is no top-of-the-table QB either, but with the return of Brett Favre, he could be had for a reasonable price and is an upgrade while the team awaits next years NFL draft. Next season’s draft class contains an unusually large number of solid quarterback prospects and perhaps one of them could set this organization back on proper footing. This is a team with so many quality pieces in place and coming off back-to-back Division titles. It is a shame for everyone involved that failure to see a knowable future clearly, has resulted in this mess which requires urgent attention.
So I’m guessing your not big on the cardinals chances this year lol!! Really good article jeff
The Cardinals are in trouble! I know it’s only the preseason, but the Titans ran all over the Arizona defense. This could be a problem. It seems that Warner’s retirement has caused this team to come apart at the seams.
Does this now mean Beanie Wells should now be considered a #1 fantasy draft pick? I mean hell, why not let him throw the ball once in a while too? They can call it the passes-go-wildcat formation.
@Nathan – Didn’t the Titans run over everybody last year?? Either way, you’re correct – I’m just sayin…
Also, I don’t mean to be a bully, but “The Nathan” sounds like a lisp problem to me. | Today, Obama gave a state of the union address…..”The nathan hath been in the worth trouble sinth 911…”
I’m sorry Nathan, I couldn’t resist. Feel free to make fun of Denver all you want. Hell, would you like a job as an NFL running back? I can’t guarantee you’ll be healthy by the time you’re needed to play. Our trainers are a bunch of buffoons. Apparently they’ve never heard of stretching, considering they’ve had this problem for 3 years running! I’m surprised they haven’t hit up the t-mobile mall carts to try and find Tatum Bell again….lol
Sorry my bad, this article was supposed to be about bashing the cardinals. Sorry Jeff.
Firstly – LOVE THE NEW LOOK SITE WITH ALL THE NEW CONTENT
After seeing Cards vs Titans I completely agree with this. Arizona are stuffed and in my honest opinion the only thing stopping the Seahawks from winning the NFC West this year is how well Alex Smith plays.
I watch a lot of College ball. More so than the NFL so I was wondering which QBs you were talking about when saying “Next season’s draft class contains an unusually large number of solid quarterback prospects” As I personally thought this year was one of the best QB classes in a while. Jake Locker? Ryan Mallet? Andrew Luck? Tyrell Pryor??(i hope not)
Great article, Jeff. I readily believe in the ability to find redemption in the NFL, but Matt needed to put the work in. Young players really need to look at the great examples of respected players (eg. Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner, Drew Brees, etc) to guide their football career.
Its too early to judge frankly, this is pre-season and Leinart hasn’t started an NFL game in years. If Arizona start badly and Leinart stinks the place up, then the Cardinals have questions to answer. Leinart might perk up though when the season starts, entering the Lions Den in week 1 might energise him. You never know how people will react on the big stage.
I think your harsh on Dreck Anderson, no QB for the Browns last year would have done anything other than be stinky poo-poo. When he had people to throw to he had a 4000 yard season, and if Arizona have anything its that they have good receivers. Last year the Browns were terrible, had no receivers and Mangini created a train wreck till the last few games. I don’t think he’s that bad frankly.