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In many ways, Matt Leinart represents the polar opposite of Kurt Warner. Leinart's the Southern California-born and -bred golden boy — the Heisman Trophy winner from a glamour college program who was drafted high in the first round to reverse the fortunes of the perpetually moribund Cardinals. Warner's the heartland native from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who was stocking grocery stores prior to his NFL days. Leinart's the party animal who takes beer bongs with scantily clad females in his hot tub. Warner's the devout Christian who abstains from life in the fast lane.
Most relevant, Warner's the former NFL MVP who was among the top quarterbacks in the league over the second half of 2007, while Leinart has personified mediocrity, if not inconsistency, since his indoctrination into the NFL two years ago.
It's because of that last reason that I didn't bat an eye when ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported two days ago that Warner was going to be named the Cardinals' starter imminently, after Leinart went 4-of-12 passing with three interceptions in the Cards' third preseason game against the Raiders.
The surprise came Monday, when head coach Ken Whisenhunt refuted the report, implying that the status quo remains.
“Contrary to everything (reported), nothing has changed,” Whisenhunt said. “We have not made a decision. We have not named Kurt the starting quarterback.”
The interesting part was that Whisenhunt stopped short of affirming Leinart was still the starter after he tabbed Leinart as such in the offseason. But even the idea that it's Leinart's job to lose doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
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Matt Leinart
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Simply put, Leinart has done nothing to prove he's a better option under center than Warner. His supposedly improved grasp of the offense hasn't translated into production, his last preseason outing was a clunker for the ages, and even though he's 12 years younger than his competition, he hasn't proved any more durable. Whisenhunt won't come out and say it, but Leinart remains atop the depth chart because he's only two years removed from being a top-10 draftee, in addition to the fact that the 37-year-old Warner is past his physical prime.
All too often, coaches are either lured by the seductive appeal of the one-time touted draftee, convinced that it's only a matter of time before he proves to be the stud he was thought to be. Sometimes, they're right. Often, he fails to ever justify the hype, regardless of how many chances he's given (cough, Jeff George, cough). In the “what you have done for me lately” NFL, coaches often ignore their own mantra.
Those that follow such advice more often than not are rewarded. It's the reason Bill Belichick decided to keep unheralded Tom Brady as the starter even when former No. 1 pick Drew Bledsoe came back from injury, and the reason why Jack Del Rio cut former first-rounder Byron Leftwich in favor of David Garrard right before last season. Would the Pats and Jags be where they are today if they had opted for the “higher-drafted talent”? Without question, no.
In the eyes of many around the league, the Cardinals are on the verge of escaping their seemingly chronic status as bottom-feeders. Their defense, especially the front seven, has improved substantially, and a solid line and a sensational WR corps — assuming Anquan Boldin's contract stalemate gets resolved — have the offense looking more than adequate. In the watered-down NFC West, the Cardinals loom as legitimate playoff contenders. But all this could come crashing down if they don't get solid quarterbacking.
Leinart might very well wind up a fine pro, but when there's the sure thing right behind him, the smart money's on Warner.
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