Player Spotlight: Matt Leinart & Kurt Warner (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Matt Leinart & Kurt Warner, QBs, Arizona Cardinals

Player Page Link: Matt Leinart Player Page

Player Page Link: Kurt Warner Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Jason Wood]

Normally we would only focus on one player in a Spotlight thread. But the Cardinals intended to split time last year before Leinart struggled and got hurt, opening the door for a highly productive season from Warner. Despite that, the coaches insist it's Matt's job to lose in camp. I'm sure there are quite a few people who would argue both sides of this coin, so here is your chance. Ideally, when you make projections, please note how many games you see each QB playing and why.

 

[podunker]

Leinart only playing 16 games:

3600 yards passing

24 passing TD's

See my "Missing the Boat on these QB's" thread for details.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Matt Leinart is the younger player, the guy they drafted to be the QB of the future. He deserves a shot to be that guy and Cardinal fans should hope that this indeed would come to fruition. However, Leinart really hasn't played up to his lofty draft status and living up to the hype of playing QB for the USC Trojans.

The Cardinals are going to give him the first shot, but in the end if he doesn't play well, he'll get benched. Kurt Warner played fantastic last season and looked like the QB we saw back in St. Louis. I don't think Matt Leinert finishes the season as the starting QB, the tough part is trying to figure out when that will happen. What makes sense would be that the Cardinals would make this switch after a slow start and wanting to make the switch before the season is a complete waste.

Matt Leinert: 6 games 1200 yards 7 td's and 9 int's

Kurt Warner 10 games 2750 21 td's and 9 INT's

 

[The Man with the Plan]

You draft them both and one way or another you should have a top fantasy quarterback. With weapons like Fitzgerald and Boldin even an okay qb can put up good fantasy numbers.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

1. Ignore Matt Leinart

2. Draft Warner later as your QB3

3. Profit

I just get the feeling Fratty Matty's in the process of beer bonging his way out of football. Or at least I'm leery of it enough to not want to have him on my roster.

I can easily see the splits posted above happening(6 games from Leinart and he gets the hook.)

Warner's the guy to own at his ADP, in my mind.

 

[BigRed]

ie the Underpants Gnomes strat. I like it.

 

[munchkin]

We should know coming out of training camp who the starter is. If Leinart shows he has his head in the game he will play otherwise he will watch Warner until he gets hurt.

There are maturity issues with Leinart and pretty much all we are hearing about him is the negative stuff. The guy has NFL talent but needs to show he has the intellectual fortitude to develop the total pro game. He is blessed with a strong receiving corp and an adequate running game.

I don't think Warner plays if Leinart comes into the season with a willingness to be a team player and shows improvement on the field.

Taking a positive approach 3400 yds and 21 td's

 

[David Yudkin]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

 

[Chase Stuart]

Last year, after adjusting for SOS, Kurt Warner averaged 24.5 FP per adjusted game, and Leinart averaged 12.0 FP per adjusted game.

 

[munchkin]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

I disagree. Leinart will have to earn the job. That doesn't mean he will have to give them the best chance to win the first game but he will have to have earned the respect of the players. If Leinart comes into camp with his head up his butt he goes nowhere but to the end of the bench.

 

[Duckboy]

This will be Matt's last chance in my opinion. I think he will get it, but the best bet is to grab both guys and be set at QB1 (as long as the coaching staff doesn't pull the split game thing again).

Leinart: 289/490, 3288yds, 22 TDs/15 INTs, 35/75/1 rush - QB12

Warner: 55/95, 850 yds, 5 TDs/3 INTs, 6/10 rush - QB38

Not terribly confident with these numbers, but the combination should be there. Grab both late and enjoy the results.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Everything I've heard here is Leinart will be given the job to start the year. Emphasis on given. Along with looking very overwhelmed and confused, he's got to learn to stay in the pocket and step up (far too many times he rolls out, throws off-balanced on his back foot)

Warner was great last year, but in the end, they failed to make the playoffs with him with a very very favorable schedule the last half of last year. I think if they made the playoffs, I think there would be a greater chance that Warner could be starting Week 1.

The situation itself is reminscent of Kitna/Palmer of a few years back in Cincy. Warner (like Kitna) was very solid, took you to a certain point, now you're taking the chance of the youngster to take you to the next level.

 

[a_troll00]

I think just giving Leinart the starting job is the wrong move here. The Cardinals should make Matt show them that he has the drive, passion, and burning desire to be an NFL QB. Last season when Warner was being brought in off the bench, Leinart made comments basically stating he was entitled to the job since he was the #10 pick in the draft. That's primarily his problem IMO. He feels entitled to the starting position and he doesn't want to work for it. That's why Leinart seems so far behind Cutler and VY in terms of development.

 

[Jon_Moore]

Watching the 9ers play the Cardinals last year, I was convinced that Leinart was the worst starting QB in the NFL, and on a path to be a complete bust. The Cardinals play in a soft, wide open division. They have a very real chance to win it this yea,r they won't put up with sub-standard QB play to let Leinart "get it". It's a gold mine of an opportunity and an outright shame if Leinart can't prevail, but as of now, I don't see it happening. You know those little fluff piece you read about the hard work so and so has done, or how they're really stepping up as a leader, or they really know the offense this year. I wanted to see at least one of those from Leinart this off-season, just to show he had done anything...instead I read they want him to fix his footwork.

Fitzgerald and Boldin are both perennial pro-bowlers. The running game can't get past the line of scrimmage, and there are some bad defensive teams in the division---there's going to be a ton of passing.

In the 2nd half of last season, Warner threw for an absurd 21 TDs...he's GOOD. He showed the ability to unlock that offense, I look for him to have the keys most of the season

Kurt Warner---12 Games

266/419

3096 Yards

23 TDs

11 Ints

14 Rushes

16 Yards

1 TD

Leinart--4 Games

72/123

848 Yards

5 TDs

7 ints

8 Rushes

28 Yards

-----------

338/542

3944 Yards

28 Tds

18 INts

 

[Dancing Bear]

Leinart cannot even hold Warner's clipboard.

He will fail again this year no matter how Training Camp goes. Training Camp has nothing to do with "live" defenses flying around hitting you in the mouth.

Boldin averaged 11.2 ppg [WR 13] with Kurt Warner at QB and he averaged 7.0 ppg [WR 40] with Matt Leinart.

Fitzgerald averaged 13.6 ppg [WR 5] with Kurt Warner at QB and he averaged 3.6 ppg [WR 82] with Matt Leinart. Fitzgerald even averaged 8.0 ppg with Tim Rattay ...

This guy shined at USC behind a great system, two great backs and an incredible line. He has had no game time since last year and no reason at all to expect that he'll improve to compete with Warner. The Cardinals want to win and they will certainly not do it with him at the helm.

Warner's your guy and he leads the Cardinals into the NFC Championship game, and both Boldin and Fitzgerald make into the Top 10 of WR!

 

[5-ish Finkle]

In the 2nd half of last season, Warner threw for an absurd 21 TDs...he's GOOD. He showed the ability to unlock that offense, I look for him to have the keys most of the seasonKurt Warner---12 Games266/4193096 Yards23 TDs11 Ints14 Rushes16 Yards1 TDLeinart--4 Games72/123848 Yards5 TDs7 ints8 Rushes28 Yards-----------338/5423944 Yards28 Tds18 INts

This.(or something pretty close)Kurt Warner is the best QB on that roster. I think the coaches know it, too. I don't see the staff there giving Fratty Matty 10 games to "figure it out." If he doesn't "have it by" game 4-5, or maybe 6 tops, they're going to turn it back over to Publix McGee and roll with him. In my mind, if they really wanted to win that division, they'd just name Warner the starter and make Leinart FORCE them to make the change to him(which I'm not even sure he's that interested in doing). Sure, you can use the "they blew a 1st on him, and he has a big contract, blah, blah, blah" argument. That's a sunken cost. They don't get the pick or the money back by running Leinart out there for the next 3 years.

 

[munchkin]

Leinart cannot even hold Warner's clipboard.

He will fail again this year no matter how Training Camp goes. Training Camp has nothing to do with "live" defenses flying around hitting you in the mouth.

Boldin averaged 11.2 ppg [WR 13] with Kurt Warner at QB and he averaged 7.0 ppg [WR 40] with Matt Leinart.

Fitzgerald averaged 13.6 ppg [WR 5] with Kurt Warner at QB and he averaged 3.6 ppg [WR 82] with Matt Leinart. Fitzgerald even averaged 8.0 ppg with Tim Rattay ...

This guy shined at USC behind a great system, two great backs and an incredible line. He has had no game time since last year and no reason at all to expect that he'll improve to compete with Warner. The Cardinals want to win and they will certainly not do it with him at the helm.

Warner's your guy and he leads the Cardinals into the NFC Championship game, and both Boldin and Fitzgerald make into the Top 10 of WR!

While I certainly don't disagree that Leinart has shown little in his time on the field if all teams used the live game only mantra to make roster changes then training camps would be an exercise in futility. Part of the coaches responsibilities is to recognize those players who have "game" from all activities including OTA's, Training Camp and regular season activity. Now I don't know what, if anything, Leinart has shown since the end of last year but Wisenhunt better be able to evaluate his players and recognize their strengths and weaknesses before he throws them on the field in week one.

 

[msommer]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

But the same front office did - and the financials did not change any. If the team can live with a cap wise expensive clipboard holder, then Leinart is #2.Obviously if the case internally in the Cards can be made that the guy is an utter failure, then such a scenario becomes much more likely. Wasn't there something about a Warner extension that seemed very cheap?

 

[timschochet]

I'm afraid to touch either of these guys. Leinart is average at best, but who knows how long he will hold on to the job? Warner was lucky last year to avoid serious injury, but we all know it can happen at any time during any game. I certainly would hate to start the FF playoffs with Warner as your guy; you're really gambling then.

 

[Dirty Weasel]

In the last 3 years, the Cardinals have attempted the most passes in the NFL. Coincidentally, that's when Warner came to town. In Warner's first season with ARI when he started 10 games, the Cardinals attempted an astounding 670 passes... that's an average of 42 per game (obviously the most in the NFL). The team racked up 4437 yards in the air (also the most in the NFL). They threw for 21 TD's (ranked 12th). Then in 2006, Leinart comes in and starts 11 games. Coincidentally, the team attempts 125 less passes (545), throws for 775 less yards (3662), and 4 less TD's (17). They still finished 7th in attempts and 10th in yards, but fall to 22nd in TD's. Those numbers sure took quite a dip. Last year, the team is led by Warner with 11 starts. What do you know? They attempt 45 more passes, throw for 403 more yards, and nearly double their TD's (from 17 to 32). They finish the season 2nd in attempts (590), 5th in yards (4065), and 4th in TD's (32).

Simply put, Warner is still a legit QB1 in FF, and Leinart isn't. Compare the per game/per 16-game season averages since joining ARI:

Warner - 289 yards, 1.7 TD's / 4620 yards, 27 TD's

Leinart - 199 yards, .8 TD's / 3194 yards, 13 TD's

If you can afford to carry 3 QB's in your league, Warner is surely worth the risk of a late round pick that he is currently going for. I know Leinart is also going late, but the numbers above don't entice me to carry him as my QB2. I'd much rather have a QB stable like Brees, Campbell, and Warner instead of Brees, Leinart, and Warner. I used to think grabbing both Leinart and Warner was a smart move, and even posted a thread about it. I've since changed my mind.

Your guess is as good as mine as to how many starts each QB gets...

 

[Jon_Moore]

In the 2nd half of last season, Warner threw for an absurd 21 TDs...he's GOOD. He showed the ability to unlock that offense, I look for him to have the keys most of the seasonKurt Warner---12 Games266/4193096 Yards23 TDs11 Ints14 Rushes16 Yards1 TDLeinart--4 Games72/123848 Yards5 TDs7 ints8 Rushes28 Yards-----------338/5423944 Yards28 Tds18 INts

This.(or something pretty close)Kurt Warner is the best QB on that roster. I think the coaches know it, too. I don't see the staff there giving Fratty Matty 10 games to "figure it out." If he doesn't "have it by" game 4-5, or maybe 6 tops, they're going to turn it back over to Publix McGee and roll with him. In my mind, if they really wanted to win that division, they'd just name Warner the starter and make Leinart FORCE them to make the change to him(which I'm not even sure he's that interested in doing). Sure, you can use the "they blew a 1st on him, and he has a big contract, blah, blah, blah" argument. That's a sunken cost. They don't get the pick or the money back by running Leinart out there for the next 3 years.

I agree, I think they'll let him lose the 1st 3 games, then hand it to Warner, then maybe Leinart gets 1-2 more out of a Warner injury.

 

[munchkin]

In the 2nd half of last season, Warner threw for an absurd 21 TDs...he's GOOD. He showed the ability to unlock that offense, I look for him to have the keys most of the seasonKurt Warner---12 Games266/4193096 Yards23 TDs11 Ints14 Rushes16 Yards1 TDLeinart--4 Games72/123848 Yards5 TDs7 ints8 Rushes28 Yards-----------338/5423944 Yards28 Tds18 INts

This.(or something pretty close)Kurt Warner is the best QB on that roster. I think the coaches know it, too. I don't see the staff there giving Fratty Matty 10 games to "figure it out." If he doesn't "have it by" game 4-5, or maybe 6 tops, they're going to turn it back over to Publix McGee and roll with him. In my mind, if they really wanted to win that division, they'd just name Warner the starter and make Leinart FORCE them to make the change to him(which I'm not even sure he's that interested in doing). Sure, you can use the "they blew a 1st on him, and he has a big contract, blah, blah, blah" argument. That's a sunken cost. They don't get the pick or the money back by running Leinart out there for the next 3 years.

I agree, I think they'll let him lose the 1st 3 games, then hand it to Warner, then maybe Leinart gets 1-2 more out of a Warner injury.

This board sure has a pretty low opinion of Ken Wisenhunt. We are supposed to believe the man is going to put his worst QB out on the field for the first several games just to prove he sucks? Now I understand why he didn't get the job in Pittsburgh; he has no football sense.

 

[Jon_Moore]

In the 2nd half of last season, Warner threw for an absurd 21 TDs...he's GOOD. He showed the ability to unlock that offense, I look for him to have the keys most of the seasonKurt Warner---12 Games266/4193096 Yards23 TDs11 Ints14 Rushes16 Yards1 TDLeinart--4 Games72/123848 Yards5 TDs7 ints8 Rushes28 Yards-----------338/5423944 Yards28 Tds18 INts

This.(or something pretty close)Kurt Warner is the best QB on that roster. I think the coaches know it, too. I don't see the staff there giving Fratty Matty 10 games to "figure it out." If he doesn't "have it by" game 4-5, or maybe 6 tops, they're going to turn it back over to Publix McGee and roll with him. In my mind, if they really wanted to win that division, they'd just name Warner the starter and make Leinart FORCE them to make the change to him(which I'm not even sure he's that interested in doing). Sure, you can use the "they blew a 1st on him, and he has a big contract, blah, blah, blah" argument. That's a sunken cost. They don't get the pick or the money back by running Leinart out there for the next 3 years.

I agree, I think they'll let him lose the 1st 3 games, then hand it to Warner, then maybe Leinart gets 1-2 more out of a Warner injury.

This board sure has a pretty low opinion of Ken Wisenhunt. We are supposed to believe the man is going to put his worst QB out on the field for the first several games just to prove he sucks? Now I understand why he didn't get the job in Pittsburgh; he has no football sense.

I think any coach is going to let Leinart get one more shot at it. You have to hope he is the QB of the future. Warner doesn't have many years left.

 

[Dancing Bear]

Warner finishes the season with :

4,500 Passing Yards

36 Passing TDs

18 Interceptions

Leinart finishes the season with :

0 Passing Yards

0 Passing TDs

0 Interceptions

 

[Federal]

For the first time this summer I am beginning to think Warner has a real shot at winning the job. I was pleased that Leinart was named the starter early on. Warner did a miraculous job with the chance he had last season, but up until this week, I have been rooting for Leinart to win the job, as I felt it was the best decision for the Cards long term.

With the improvements on defense, the opposition in the NFC West (Seattle) showing major signs of weakness, and the point potential under a Warner lead offense, I'm beginning to think we have the recipe for a division title and can host a playoff game for the first time in AZ.

I still think Leinart is our guy, the team will be better long term if he gets in there now, but as a playoff starved Cards fan, I'm now checking for an open spot on the Warner bandwagon.



A QB competition

Ken Whisenhunt's decision to start Kurt Warner against Kansas City Saturday night might be an indication that Warner is closer to gaining the starting job than many have thought.

Matt Leinart remains the starter, and there was a notion that his competition with Warner was Whisenhunt's way of motivating the young QB. That might still be the case, but it seems odd that the coach would go to such great lengths to keep Leinart motivated. After all, Leinart hasn't played much since suffering an injury in the fifth game last year and could use all the snaps he could get.

The decision to start Warner probably shouldn't have been such a big surprise. This week, Warner ran the first team for two straight days. Whisenhunt downplayed that, but it was the first time it had happened in camp.

Cards QB spotlight shifts to Warner

by Bob McManaman - Aug. 15, 2008 06:31 PM

The Arizona Republic

Of all the competitions being waged in Cardinals training camp, the one that figured to attract the most attention has been relegated to an under-the-table affair, a calm cold war that has yet to fully surface.

But it may finally start Saturday at 5 p.m.

That's when the Cardinals meet the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in their second preseason game, and when Kurt Warner is expected to start at quarterback and make his preseason debut.

As head coach Ken Whisenhunt has said all along, Matt Leinart would be the designated starter heading into camp, but Warner will be there to push him and, "It's going to be a tough job for Matt to keep."

Up until now, most all the talk has been about Leinart and his renewed commitment to narrowing the competitive gap. He's made huge strides since his season-ending collarbone injury a year ago and his improvement has been noticeable, from his play in camp to last week's performance against the New Orleans Saints.

But now it's Warner's turn and the spotlight has shifted. If the promise is true that the best players will get to play, then this is Warner's time to shine once again, as he did upon replacing Leinart and passing for 3,417 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Yes, it's only a preseason game and Warner's time in the pocket may last only about as long as it would take him to shower and shave in the morning. But he's been anxious for this - and more.

"I'm always antsy this time of year," Warner said this week. "But I just want to get to the season. I just want to play. The preseason is a little more anticlimactic. You go out there and you go through the whole shebang for 10 or 12 plays, so that part's hard.

"I just feel so good and so comfortable with what we're doing - and I feel very good physically - but I'm ready to get to the season and let's go play."

Whisenhunt didn't use Warner last week against the Saints, in part because he didn't want the valuable veteran to get injured playing behind reserve offensive linemen. Saturday, however, Warner will play with the No. 1 offense to get in his work and gain some rhythm as the preseason and the internal competition grows in importance.

Not that Warner needs to be overly impressive Saturday or in either of the remaining preseason games to present his case. He barely played a lick in the preseason last year and in just 11 starts, still finished just one touchdown pass shy of the single-season club record.

"I definitely want to get enough time to feel good with everything," Warner said of today's game, in which Leinart also will play, "but I also know it's probably not going to be an overabundant amount of time. . . . I can go in there and in one series say, 'OK, it feels good.' But there are time where it's like, 'Uh, I might feel comfortable, but I didn't see things as well as I wanted to and I want another series or, I want another game.' "

Warner has been sharp throughout training camp. Leinart has had plenty of good moments, too. And behind them, there remains a battle for the No. 3 job between Brian St. Pierre and rookie free agent Anthony Morelli. All have impressed Whisenhunt.

"That's been one of our strongest competitions in camp, as far as guys stepping up and getting better," the coach said. "I can sit up here and say all the time that I think competition makes us a better team, but in that area, I've really seen it. I've seen dramatic improvement in all of those guys in terns of what we're trying to get done."

However the starting quarterback situation is determined, Warner truly wants only one thing: to play a role in helping the Cardinals return to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

Who gives the Cardinals the better chance? That's up to Whisenhunt to decide, but it could mean a new contract for Warner if he duplicates at least part of last season's success. Negotiations on an extension, Warner said, are in a holding pattern until things become clearer with the position.

"I don't play this game for the numbers. I want to win another championship," Warner said. "Once you've been there, there's nothing else to play for. . . . Once you get in the dance, you never know. That's what we saw last year with the New York Giants.

That's what I want."

 

[doubletrouble]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

they are giving matty every chance to run away w/ the job but w/ warner there and him being the better qb, matty wont be playing all 16 games....new stadium = best qb

 

[bryan215]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

they are giving matty every chance to run away w/ the job but w/ warner there and him being the better qb, matty wont be playing all 16 games....new stadium = best qb

none of u guys seem to realize the massive dilemma starting Warner puts Cards in for 09 and beyond.Warner will be like 40 and one hit away from being out of the game for good, they aren't going to sign him to a new deal. They will have essentially given up on ML and have to trade or cut him. Not to mention they are going to need to sign a RB next season given Edge is almost done...plus they need to re-sign Boldin...where will all this cap space come from?

They now have 0 QBs on their roster and either have to hope they can find a decent one through FA or they have to start all over and draft a QB in the first round...and essentially be a lock to suck while that QB goes through his growing pains.

Leinert has play essentially 1 full season due to injuries.(THE GUY HAS ONLY STARTED 15 GAMES!)..it would be idiotic for the franchise to bench him after 4 games unless he just looks like he has 0 chance to be a solid starting QB in the NFL. Doesn't mean he has to be great or even better than Warner...just has to keep down the INTs and move the offense.

 

[David Yudkin]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

they are giving matty every chance to run away w/ the job but w/ warner there and him being the better qb, matty wont be playing all 16 games....new stadium = best qb

none of u guys seem to realize the massive dilemma starting Warner puts Cards in for 09 and beyond.Warner will be like 40 and one hit away from being out of the game for good, they aren't going to sign him to a new deal. They will have essentially given up on ML and have to trade or cut him. Not to mention they are going to need to sign a RB next season given Edge is almost done...plus they need to re-sign Boldin...where will all this cap space come from?

They now have 0 QBs on their roster and either have to hope they can find a decent one through FA or they have to start all over and draft a QB in the first round...and essentially be a lock to suck while that QB goes through his growing pains.

Leinert has play essentially 1 full season due to injuries.(THE GUY HAS ONLY STARTED 15 GAMES!)..it would be idiotic for the franchise to bench him after 4 games unless he just looks like he has 0 chance to be a solid starting QB in the NFL. Doesn't mean he has to be great or even better than Warner...just has to keep down the INTs and move the offense.

Warner just turned 37 . . . so he's still a ways away from 40.I agree that Leinart has not had a lot of time to prove himself, but the fact of the matter is that the offense has been near the top of the league with Warner and at or near the bottom with Leinart. So Arizona needs to decide if they are a playoff contender, wther they can stay a playoff contender with Leinart, or whether they need to make a post season run with Warner at the helm.

Since signing in Arizona, in the 23 games that Warner has had 25 passing attempts in a game he's averaged 288 passing yards, 1.75 TD, and 1.3 INT per game which works out to a 16-game total of 4608 passing yards, 28 TD, 20 INT.

By comparison, Leinart has had 12 such games but averaged 228 yards, 1 TD, and 1.2 INT for a 16-game projection of 3648, 16 TD, and 19 INT.

 

[Federal]

Warner had better numbers than Brady did over the last 8 regular season games of 2007. The current coaching staff didn't draft Leinart, and I have heard that he will be on a very short leash. Leinart will start the year as the starter, and unless he is productive out of the gate, I would expect Warner to take over after the first month. The coaching staff knows Warner can move the ball (they averaged almost 31 ppg those last 8 games).

they are giving matty every chance to run away w/ the job but w/ warner there and him being the better qb, matty wont be playing all 16 games....new stadium = best qb

none of u guys seem to realize the massive dilemma starting Warner puts Cards in for 09 and beyond.Warner will be like 40 and one hit away from being out of the game for good, they aren't going to sign him to a new deal. They will have essentially given up on ML and have to trade or cut him. Not to mention they are going to need to sign a RB next season given Edge is almost done...plus they need to re-sign Boldin...where will all this cap space come from?

They now have 0 QBs on their roster and either have to hope they can find a decent one through FA or they have to start all over and draft a QB in the first round...and essentially be a lock to suck while that QB goes through his growing pains.

Leinert has play essentially 1 full season due to injuries.(THE GUY HAS ONLY STARTED 15 GAMES!)..it would be idiotic for the franchise to bench him after 4 games unless he just looks like he has 0 chance to be a solid starting QB in the NFL. Doesn't mean he has to be great or even better than Warner...just has to keep down the INTs and move the offense.

Not sure why they would have to cut or trade Leinart if they give the ball to Warner. Well maybe if they throw Leinart out there on opening day, he struggles, and they bench him due to performance. But if they give Warner the ball out of the gates, let Matt continue to watch/learn, I don't see it as that much different than stashing Rodgers on the bench until it was time for Favre to move on. Not that that turned out all that well, but you get what I am saying.

And if you want to talk injury risk, what are the odds Warner makes it through the season without missing a game or six. If Leinart comes in off the bench, shows he can lead the team to wins, he might keep the job for good.

Whisenhunt says the best guy will play. That may be coach speak, but Coach Whiz has earned my respect and I tend to believe him.

I am a Leinart guy, but I also know what Warner can do and believe he has EARNED a shot in 2008. I think a decent option would be to name Warner the starter week one, make a strong push for the playoffs, continue to develop and tutor their young talent, have a top notch option in the case of injury, and have a ready made heir apparent waiting in the wings.

 

[Raider Nation]

Warner finishes the season with :4,500 Passing Yards36 Passing TDs18 InterceptionsLeinart finishes the season with :0 Passing Yards0 Passing TDs0 Interceptions

Helluva post right there. Now that the Cards have wrapped up the West and have very little shot at a 1st-round bye, I think it would be cool if Leinart got some playing time. They don't have to call difficult plays or anything. Handoffs and swing passes, mainly. This guy used to be good in college or something.... it might boost his confidence if he actually needs to take a shower after a game.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Warner finishes the season with :4,500 Passing Yards36 Passing TDs18 InterceptionsLeinart finishes the season with :0 Passing Yards0 Passing TDs0 Interceptions

Helluva post right there. Now that the Cards have wrapped up the West and have very little shot at a 1st-round bye, I think it would be cool if Leinart got some playing time. They don't have to call difficult plays or anything. Handoffs and swing passes, mainly. This guy used to be good in college or something.... it might boost his confidence if he actually needs to take a shower after a game.

The one thing that may keep Warner playing all 16 is chasing after Marino's passing yardage record - it's still in reach by both him and Brees.

 

[Ozymandias]

Warner finishes the season with :4,500 Passing Yards36 Passing TDs18 InterceptionsLeinart finishes the season with :0 Passing Yards0 Passing TDs0 Interceptions

Helluva post right there. Now that the Cards have wrapped up the West and have very little shot at a 1st-round bye, I think it would be cool if Leinart got some playing time. They don't have to call difficult plays or anything. Handoffs and swing passes, mainly. This guy used to be good in college or something.... it might boost his confidence if he actually needs to take a shower after a game.

The one thing that may keep Warner playing all 16 is chasing after Marino's passing yardage record - it's still in reach by both him and Brees.

Maybe Leinart might see some playing time in game 16 (week 17). But no way they're going to bench their MVP candidate, and the guy who finally made the franchise credible.