The Cardinals Quarterback Mess Is Killing Them This Season
by JoeCB1991 on Nov 1, 2010 2:27 PM MDT
in NFL Regular Season
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After watching the struggles the Cardinals have had this year, I am certain that most of it has come from the complete ineptitude that the Quarterback Situation was handled with after the retirement of Kurt Warner (Who is looking like a surefire bet to make the Hall of Fame after every game where neither Quarterback can get anything going in Arizona).
I also believe that mediocre play by the Quarterbacks would be enough to at least keep the Cardinals in the NFC Playoff hunt. I'm talking Trent Dilfer style QB play, not the turnover prone mess we have right now. Right now, it is either time to just transition the offense to one where you run the ball 60 percent of the time, or it is time to start using a taser on the Quarterbacks whenever they turn the ball over and hope that it teaches them not to throw the ball to the guys in the other jerseys.
You just have to wonder; what if Kurt Warner was still here? What if Matt Leinart wasn't released after his spat with Coach Whisenhunt? Looking at the current situation, you have Derek Anderson who is a guy who is capable of making you cheer, then scream in rage within a minute. Then there is Max Hall, who is a local kid that has the potential to be good, but he is undersized, he doesn't have a rocket laser arm, and he has been prone to making some rookie brain fart mistakes. Behind them, you have another rookie named John Skelton who came out of the football powerhouse known as Fordham, and he probably won't even be ready to take a snap in the NFL for a season or two because he is a project, yet people are so disgusted by what is going on now that they want to force him in there because "he can't be that much worse". But trust me, he could be a hell of a lot worse.
Looking at the two guys who are gone now. Kurt Warner is the best Quarterback that has ever played for the Cardinals since they came to Arizona, and he retired while he was still capable of playing at a high level. Now, looking at the mess with Brett Favre in Minnesota you don't know if Kurt would have played well if he stayed here for the last year of his contract, but you can help get around that by going to more of a running game and trying to make sure that Kurt doesn't have to win the game for you by slinging the ball around the field like he enjoyed doing so much. Just try to keep him around 30 throws a game, try to run the ball, and having someone as accurate as Kurt Warner will help open everything up. I actually think that the Cardinals would be 5-2 right now if Warner was still the QB (losses to Atlanta and San Diego). And with Leinart, yes he is gone now and he isn't coming back, but he is also the exact opposite of DA. Leinart is too cautious at times, but that also means that he won't throw as many horrible Interceptions as Anderson has thrown this year. With how things are right now, a game manager who will limit the mistakes could be an improvement. Like I said, Trent Dilfer esqe QB play would be an improvement over what is going on now. And looking at the playmakers on this team, especially with having three good receivers (Larry Fitzgerald is still a top 3 receiver even when the Quarterbacks are having a hard time getting the ball to him, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are also capable receivers) it is inexplicable why any Quarterback with decent accuracy cannot succeed.
So, what is going to happen now? Will DA go back to being the starter after playing well until the final 3 or 4 minutes of the game last week and actually making a few nice deep passes, will Hall get another chance to see if he can develop and limit all of the mistakes? Will the offense change into something that gives our three headed monster of Beanie Wells (the power back), Tim Hightower (the more balanced guy who can block, catch, and run) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (the shifty little speed guy) carry the ball 35-40 times a game?
Something has to be done, and if there is any chance for the Cardinals to win the NFC West, they need a vast improvement at the Quarterback position.
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Nobody does
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
my take
I am pretty sure I am in the minority on this thought, but I do not agree with “I am certain that most of it has come from the complete ineptitude that the Quarterback Situation was handled with after the retirement of Kurt Warner”
Whisenhunt made some tough choices from his gut, and even the best coaches fail sometimes. The Patriots/Belichick going for it on 4th down anyone?
I am glad Leinart is gone, disappointed that neither DA nor Hall has panned out yet, but still quite happy that coach had the nads to make the choices he did.
he believed in those choices, just like he was on board with selecting Ben Roethlisberger high in the draft despite having played at small school Miami of Ohio while with the Steelers. just like drafting Greg Toler in the 4th round and Tim Hightower in the 5th, coming from even smaller schools when they may have gone undrafted. it took nads to be on board with those decisions, and they panned out. this one has not so far.
I wouldn’t call it ineptitude at all. I would call it having the balls to make choices other coaches might not, b/c they are not the safe choice. Rolling the dice with a calculated gamble, and you don’t always win.
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
by Undrafteds on Nov 1, 2010 2:52 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Rolling the dice (rolling my eyes)?
An NFL head coach must do better than roll dice or close eyes and throw darts to make decisions. He is playing around with the hearts and minds of Cardinals Fans.
Get off the “In Whiz We Trust” bandwagon, already. Look around, you are the only one left. They even put the Jackasses that were pulling that thing up for sale with that scooter. You will have to look for the ad in out of state publications because it ain’t selling here in Arizona.
If Kurt is not onboard, no one want’s to be associated with it. Thats not hail damage on that band wagon but dents put on it by the fans upset with the play calling and deliberate throws into coverage, over the middle, in the Red Zone, game after game after game. This guy has to be doing it deliberately! Not one QB, but both have been given that same play and every time it results in an interception. How many so far this season, 9 or 10 interceptions from the same play being called? Coincidence, I don’t think so.
AZ retiree, you are so clueless I don't even know where to begin
That is not what I said. Go back and read it again.
Bandwagon? Bandwagon? Definition: 1. increasingly popular movement: a cause or movement that is gaining popularity and support
So you are saying it is popular right now to support coach and his decisions based on his choices regarding QB? hmmm. I’m actually in the minority, which is the opposite of a bandwagon.
Look, you are a hater, we get it man. I like coach Whiz and support the team even when they don’t win, we get it man.
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
And there you have it!
I rest my case.
I am not a Whiz hater, nor a Whiz lover. I am an NFL fan first and Cardinals fan second. I refuse to look the other way when someone is stealing a paycheck. If he is as stupid as his play calling reflects, or as deveous as his play calling suggests, I say “Dump the kid Harry!”
There is time left in this season to trot out a new stud and put him in the game. In case you have not noticed, Mutt and Jeff aren’t hacking it.
thats what I don't get
you say are not a Whiz hater, but then you suggest he is stealing a paycheck? the most successful coach Arizona Cardinals have ever had and he is stupid?
hey just b/c I don’t want Whiz going anywhere does not mean that I always agree with his play calling. hell I wish we still had Haley calling plays honestly.
and of course I noticed QB play has been less than acceptable….I have advocated for some QB to be brought in to compete and try and do better.
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
by Undrafteds on Nov 1, 2010 4:00 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
I have criticized Whiz for the entire QB situation, but he is still a great head coach and I support him.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Typo?
Did I read that right? “-, but he is still a great head coach --”
Vince Lombardy was a great head coach, but Whiz? Are you sure? Maybe you should back up a little farther and take another run at your depiction of the Whiz.
You could say something like a decent head coach with a great HOF QB at his disposal, I could accept that, but great? A lot overboard don’t you think?
by AZ retiree on Nov 1, 2010 5:31 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Overboard
Speaking off retiree. Go back to the med cabinet and find some happy pills.
All you do is: Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate and hate.
by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 1, 2010 9:03 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
one more
You left out one “hate”, but who’s counting?
It’s not hate, if it’s a provable truth. Go over the box scores from the start of the regular season, and count the INTs. Who is calling these lame plays?
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
That "great HOF QB"
you refer to didn’t look so HOF until the Whiz arrived. It took him two seasons to get the laughingstock of the league to the Super Bowl. Yes, I think it’s fair to call him a great head coach. They didn’t say the greatest of all-time (btw, it’s Lombardi).
Forgive me.
I accept complete responsibility for the mispelling. I will try to never let that happen again.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Normally, I couldn't care less
but if you’re going to hold the greatest of all-time as the standard bearer for being defined as “great” then you’ve at least got to get his name right.
Take it easy, now breath, slowly.
Come on, just a couple of small steps and you will be on the dark side, with everyone else.
I want you to tell me, honestly, why would Whiz keep dialing up plays that are almost sure picks, over and over again? If not stupid, what?
Why would Whiz keep a running game on the shelf after it proved effective? If not stupid, what? There are just too many problems and bad play calls to look the other way. Too many personel blunders,
I do feel sorry for you. Where you stand in relation to coach Whiz, but your big brother is screwing up big time. Time to find a new hero. Yes, I said stealing a paycheck. That is the way I see it.
I apologize if it hurts your feelings, I am just trying to convey my thoughts on his job performance. Now that Kurt is gone, he must stand out front and take the criticism, or get out of the damn kitichen and let someone else do the cooking.
recommended
His only “ineptitude” was showing too much faith in Leinart’s off-season “progress.”
Preaching to the choir on this, but replacing a great QB doesn’t happen overnight (with very few exceptions). What has Dallas accomplished since Aikman’s retirement? Denver since Elway’s? He’ll get it turned around but right now he’s one key player short, the rest is quietly falling into place.
Ineptitude is not having a better plan for if Leinart wound up not being the guy
If they were going to cut him, why not go for McNabb, or even trade for Bulger/Vick/Kolb. Anyone but Derek Anderson who has been the worst quarterback in the NFL between the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
They should have had a better plan than this.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
By that time it was too late
but since you threw McNabb’s name out, last I looked he’s in danger of losing his job to Grossman – doesn’t look like he’d have been the answer to our riddle either. What makes you think any of the other three are on the trading block?
The personnel in Washington isn't helping him out either.
Like the times when he had nothing around him in Philly before Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson, and all of the new guys.
As for Bulger/Vick/Kolb, just throwing some names out. Right now I would have signed Bulger after he was cut too.
They should have just let Leinart go right after the season ended and try to get an “upgrade” at Quarterback if this is the mess that we were going to get into.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
lol
I’m sure if they would have seen his lack of progression they would have. While it turned out to be wrong, it made perfect sense to go with a guy who had three years in our offense over some aging free-agents. Bringing in Bulger would have meant a 5th QB at camp and I doubt he would have agreed to that.
Hindsight is always 20/20. The Whiz will get someone to play the position effectively for us but it’s clearly going to take some time. In the meantime either DA or Max needs to step it up.
Being honest
I recall you and I ripping on Florio for constantly beating the Bulger drum as endlessly as he did.
That was before this mess started,
I thought that Leinart was going to be the guy, and that they were going to give him the season (or at least half of it) to see if he was the guy. But with him being cut before the Season began, I have the feeling that they were never truly happy with him, and I wonder why they didn’t go for a better free agent QB or someone who was on the trading block.
With the situation we have now, bring on Bulger. Hell, bring on Sexy Rexy.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Rex "F*** It I'm Going Deep" Grossman.
If he plays well it only improves the chances of McNabb making it to the desert. Unfortunately it also improves the chances McNabb gets waived and someone else, like the niners, pick him up first.
They were happy with him until the preseason started
it wasn’t until then that it became apparent that what they thought they saw as progress was an illusion. As I respect both your and hadrarius’ opinions, perhaps one (or both) of you could explain why you think other league retreads are the answer to our problem? If McNabb can’t hold off Grossman that raises a bunch of red flags (I say if because I’m not convinced that it’s a done deal) and if you make a deal for Bulger (a)what are you willing to give up? (b)who do you get rid of to make room for him? All that is assuming Baltimore has any interest in dealing him (which I really doubt they do).
I respect your opinion too.
As for the other comment. Right now it is mostly me thinking, could they really be any worse than what we have now?
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
The problem I see with that idea
is if we’d been this quick to want to replace Warner we don’t get to see 2008 the way we did. Any time we bring someone new in you have to expect some moments like this, and McNabb, Bulger, etc., would still have to learn the offense, establish a rapport with everyone, so on and so forth.
I’m in no way second guessing the decision to go with Hall (because DA’s play made the choice necessary) but with the way he played against Seattle and TB had he started we may have won those games. It’s going to be an up and down season but I don’t think having McNabb or Bulger would have changed that. We’re in need of another franchise QB (like most the league) but there isn’t one available on the waiver wire (and there wasn’t one available to us regardless of what moves we would have made in the off-season).
Who?
Why is the name of the HC missing in this article? Who created this mess in the first place? Who stands to win if the cardinals lose? How about the guy who made the mess, convincing people he is a victim and if given more time will come up with a solution. It’s called a high draft pick. He wants to tie his tenure to a QB project for years to come.
Or am I completely out of my mind?
There it is " Whiz had a spat with Leinart" so they must share blame? I don’t think so. It’s the HC’s job to keep his strongest players, playing well. Especially, if they have been emersed in the system.
Coach Whiz is either the biggest fool walking the planet or the most deveous person in professional sports, bar none. I pick the latter.
AZ retiree
what are your thoughts on Brad Childress? Josh McDaniels?
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
The jury is still out.
Both of these coaches have time to turn things around, more than that they have a duty to the fans to turn things around. If that means sitting Farve down to heal properly do it. Even if you let him start sit him down after the first series if he does not produce. It is difficult when you have a HOF QB calling your coaching skills into question, publically. On the other hand, "What have you done for me lately Brett Fart or Favor or whatever you claim to call yourself. I would also examine the play calling for all games from the start of the season to see what changes must be made for either QB receiving the snap.
Denver is in the same boat, I can feel a team that plays hard but needs a couple of breaks, just like the Niners. On the positive, time is on their side. In conference and inter-divisional play can get your team well in a hurry. It’s time for these coaches to open the playbook and make some hard decisions concerning ball control and the running game. Slow the opposition down by eliminating penalties on defense and then running over them on offense. If they don’t have the ball they can’t score.
Season is not over, yet, but these coaches better make the hard choices starting today. We NFL fans are not a patient group! So just do it!
I posed that question
because I knew that you could answer in a not-clueless fashion. I’ve seen you do it before. why then, the above type post?
ok how about this: what do you think of Whisenhunt (and scouting staff/GM) ROLLING THE DICE on Greg Toler and Tim Hightower? Do you think he succeeded?
you already know my answer
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
Toler & Hightower
Both have a weak thumbs up from me. I would have rather seen the Cards get Toby Gerhart as a bookend for the QB with Wells on the other side. Gerhart runs hard, has great hands and doesn’t fumble. These two guys are big enough to block and both run down hill. They would be wearing out defenses all season long.
Toler and Hightower are mid range performers when they are compared to the league leaders. It does not help that the running game has been neglected in favor of losing games by pursuing a non-existant passing attack.
Our defense has been a bright spot but do not get enough rest to out perform a rested offense, game after game, the same old story. We won’t be able to evaluate either guy this year if Hightower is kept on the shelf and Toler does not keep up with the league leaders for the next six games.
you are reading from the wrong fact book
Toler is outplaying our supposed Pro Bowl CB DRC.
Hightower has played very well this year and has been an integral component of two consecutive division winning teams since Day 1.
So you would rather have mid range performer Toby Gerhart?
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 231 lb (105 kg)
Tim Hightower
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 222 lb (101 kg)
I give up man, you have your own set of logic
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
I did not say dump.
I think Hightower fits well in this offense. I would not suggest we toss him out. I would have wanted Gerhart as an addition while using Hightower as a wildcard. He could be used in a wildcat, as a receiver or to give Wells or Gerhart a breather while keeping up the pounding away at defenses with a relentless running attack.
I repeat, the running game as been under utilized this season.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions
My preference?
Yes, I think he has the potential to be, not only durable, but also a Hall of Famer, given the right system. With his sure hands and quick feet, I see his upside as unlimited.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions
+1
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
They are both horrible
McDaniels has lost the team, he is good at developing Quarterbacks (Orton) but not much else it seems like.
Childress is a moron, and the only reason they made the NFC Championship last year was because Favre ran that team.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Wow!
Pretty tough stuff.
Farve ran that team, then who ran the Cardinals, who is responsible for their winning seasons? Could it have been Kurt Warner? Naw, thats just silly!
I wish we had a coach that was not only good at developing QBs but was able to evaluate them with some expertice and then hold onto them.
Moron? That is much harder than my “stupid” discription of Whiz. You can fix stupid with education, but moron is a life time affliction.
Ugly!
The Randy Moss situation seems to make everyone involved look pretty ugly in the daylight. Ugly and not too smart. The HC would have been well advised to sit Moss rather than get caught up in a war of words and rash judgements leading to bold headlines.
On one hand Moss did look as if he was dogging it, on the other hand the Head Coach should have kept his cards close to his chest.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 5:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Randy Moss
The situation with that guy was quickly getting ugly behind the scenes before it blew up on sunday. The Minnesota press had already filed a complaint against the team / Moss for failing to meet his contractual obligations toward meeting with the media for one. I can’t blame Childress for firing his sorry ass. Anyone that would argue that the guy doesn’t give up on plays need only watch that replay from the game against New England to see how wrong they are. Childress certainly could have managed himself better though.
Football Outsiders audibles at the line
Mike Tanier: How much worse would Leinart have been than their current situation? Or how much better?
Aaron Schatz: The difference is that we don’t know. With Leinart we didn’t know, and let’s be honest, with Hall, there’s the possibility he’ll develop, so we don’t fully know. With Anderson, we know, and we’ve always known, and that’s what makes the decision to a) start him from the beginning of the year and b) go back to him today so damn head-scratching.
Tom Gower: I’m pretty sure that with Matt Leinart we already do know, and that Leinart would not have been clearly better as a short-term option and we already know his long-term future is limited, but I already sent you that email.
Arizona has to answer, I think, two questions:
1. Why did you not make a serious effort to acquire a better quarterback in the offseason? Moot right now.
2. How do you best find out if Max Hall can be a competent NFL quarterback? I think the lesson of the two pick-6’s to Whisenhunt was that he’s not ready enough to the point where he’s seriously hurting the team. In that case, you play Derek Anderson even though Derek Anderson is a known really mediocre quantity.
Tom Gower: Our Hayes Touchdown Battle is now tied at one, as Gerald recovers a LeGarrette Blount fumble and returns it to match Geno’s pick-6 from earlier in the game.
Aaron Schatz: I may have to stand corrected, as Derek Anderson seems to be bringing Arizona back against the Bucs.
Mike Tanier: Anderson has always been good at random hot streaks.
Interesting.
That's what my wife says!
My wife says I’m terrific at random hot streaks!
Gonna upset a lot of you
but its time for the front office to take away playcalling duties from Ken Whinenhunt and hire an offensive coordinator. His arrogance is starting to show through in his pass happy play calling. He seems to think the teams success the past few years is related more to the play calling than who was actually throwing the ball(Kurt Warner). First offensive play of game yesterday, Beanie for a 14 yard gain. Whats he call next? pass, pass, pass. This should be a time control, run first offense. Why go get Alan Faneca who is known to be a great run blocker but not an elite pass protector. Also, to those of you who say Leinart would not have fared better, you are clearly new fans to this team. Leinart showed great promise his rookie year, and that was with Dennis Green as the coach. After practicing and playing 4 years with Fitz and 3 with Breaston, he knows their tendencies much better than any other QB on the team. The knock on Leinart is he was too conservative and made the “safe” throw all the time. Well thats all this team needs to win this division. Someone who can manage the offense and not turn the ball over. The Cards had their man and Coaches ego blew that one big time. Heres hoping they give McNabb a hard look this offseason cause it’ll be bye bye Fitz after next year if they dont solidify the QB position
by Redbird Nation #1 on Nov 1, 2010 4:29 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
I don't think you upset anyone
no one can fabricate a valid excuse for the terrible play calling. I blame the final interception on the play call more than DA, he should have never been given the opportunity to blow the game for us in the first place.
Whiz has handled the team personnel fairly well (minus this year’s obvious QB carousal but I’m referring to Branch’s weight, Dockett’s contract, development of rookies into the rotation and allowing them a chance to succeed, again minus the QB, etc.), but his play calling has been worst than some of the people I play on Madden Online, predictable, not situational, risky, and stupid; can’t believe i’ve been reduced to comparing real football to Madden…
Someone else needs to call the plays, let’s find the guy on Madden online with the best record and let him do it with a fucking headset and controller…
by cardsfanforlife24 on Nov 1, 2010 6:32 PM MDT up reply actions
and i agree with your Leinart sentiments
even though its irrelevant now i completely agree
by cardsfanforlife24 on Nov 1, 2010 6:36 PM MDT up reply actions
Offensive Co-ordinator.
I’ve been banging the drum for a real O.C. since Haley left. A head coach should be a head coach at this level, not wear two hats. I know there have been plenty of coaches to do so. I just don’t agree that it’s the best way to go.
Totally Agree
Whiz is not making good decisions
I can't have this conversation anymore as neither Hall nor Anderson are good choices.
And no Skelton isn’t in the mix in my mind. I just wish despite all the cries of supposed lack luster play from Leinart we would’ve kept him as an option. I believe this conversation wouldn’t be needed if we had kept him. Anyway, I’m out of this pointless parading of words regarding our Quarterback situation. It’s sad because if we had a safe accurate passer we would be winning this division.
by az78true on Nov 1, 2010 4:54 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Well said!
Whiz did not want someone elses pick to succeed. He shoved Leinart out the door, now he wants his turn to pick the next best NFL QB with a high draft pick. You must lose a lot of games first though, not easy in the NFC West and a soft schedule, but I trust that Whiz can get it done.
I am sure he will lose at all cost. If he does not get a high pick he will be pissed! It’s his turn to hitch his poney to a Bradford or who knows? Don’t expect the Cards to make a push for the playoffs this year. Arizona is in good position to do so, but it looks as if the HC is against trying to get us there. Not in his plan for Coach Whiz’s future as an NFL HOF Coach. We must first lose big time, in order for him to win, personally.
Can you say “SELFISH”?
Shoved ML out of the door?
I remember reading that ML had the opportunity to stay on if he was willing to remain a backup to DA. He decided to leave and Whiz said he respected his decision. I am not going to dig up the article but it was written by our own Darren Urban.
Stop the fabrication.
by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 1, 2010 9:08 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1(az78true)& red birdnation
I agree. This season is now a crap shoot at best. With Leinart we could have been a runaway NFC West winner. We were spoiled for 2 years with HOF quarterbacking. Now it’s back to mediocrity.
AZ_Retiree—How can you continue to say you think Whiz is losing on purpose? That’s just MORONIC. He made some bad decisions and he’s backed it up with bad play calling. It’s no crime to have a HOF caliber QB take you to the Superbowl and consecutive division tittles. (he didn’t draft or trade for Warner—BTW). It’s also no crime to “trust your gut” and drop Leinart because he thought he would do as well with Anderson.
Being an NFL fan 1st and Cardinal fan 2nd is also MORONIC. IF you LOVE your team—you live and die with them. Otherwise, your just wasting your time (and ours).
No more night. I have seen the light. Let it shine on bright.
HANG HIM HIGHER!!!
by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Nov 1, 2010 6:28 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1000
It’s not the play calling that is costing our team wins right now. It’s the QB decision making. They are trying to force the ball too often. On the play that Anderson threw the interception at the end of the game he should have checked it down to a wide open Tim Hightower. Our QB’s are not utilizing the RB’s for check downs at all. There were too many times during the game that the alarm in their head should have went off, nothing is open, so check it down. All four of our RB’s combined have only 24 receptions through 7 games, a 3.4 per game average. With Warner last year the RB’s averaged almost 6 receptions per game. If our QB’s would take what the defenses are giving us we would be better off.
I actually thought the play calling was great to start the game. We kept TB off balance and drove down the field. I was very happy we used LSH more in our offense. He is a game changer. I thought going for the TD on 4th and goal was a mistake, but being an armchair QB is easy. Whiz wanted to let his team know he has faith in them to get the job done. They just didn’t do it.
AZ Retiree— Find a friggin hobby. Maybe wood wroking or golf. All this Whiz bashing is riduculous. He’s the best coach we ever had. Period.
by billydacardsfan on Nov 2, 2010 5:59 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not me!
I have too much passion to accept mediocrity. I don’t like getting poked without the slightest bit of foreplay. I will not accept losing, this is the NFL. Where is your team pride, if you accept this much failure with a grin while chanting “We love you Whiz”?
Who is the moron? Me, who demands that my team perform or you, who are willing to eat the crap sandwiches served up by Whiz and his staff?
The season is at half time and we have a choice to either win our way into the playoffs or accept losing our way into the cellar. I demand we do whatever it takes to win our way into the playoffs. Go Cards!
I refuse to allow a head coach drive our team, The Arizona Cardinals, into the ground because he is either inept or diabolical. I will not sit down and shut up when I see a travisty of justice or sportsmanship.
The Matt Leinart situation was a pimple on the ass of both Sportsmanship and Justice. He waited his time, he performed better than anyone else, he earned the spot as starting QB.
Your hero, Whiz, decided that neither Matt nor the fans deserved justice being played out on the football field. He refused to give us the satisfaction of finally having a QB developed from within the organization, under the tuteledge of his mentor and spiritual guide Kurt Warner, have a chance at success.
Matt earned a shot, but had the rug pulled out from under him.
When asked about the situation Warner replied that Leinart was not given a fair chance. I guess Kurt Warner is also a moron, and without Whiz would not have made it to a Superbowl? Oh, I forgot, he brought another team to a superbowl when Whiz was a staff member for the Steelers.
Please, don’t demean yourself by calling me a non-fan of the Cardinals. A real fan would demand excellence, not excuses like, “We’re still not sure what the Cardinals team identity is.”
I can tell you what the team ID is, under coach Whiz, without Warner, LOSERS!
Here open wide, another crap sandwich made exclusively for all you dumb Cardinals fans out there. MM-MM-MM.
I refuse to partake in such a feast!
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 4:08 PM MDT up reply actions
I don't get your rants.
You write statements like, “I am an NFL fan first and Cardinals fan second.” Then come back with, “our team” and “go Cards!” All while calling out Whisenhunt at this point in the season and accusing him of throwing the season for a draft pick. It just doesn’t make sense. What does it matter to you how good the Cardinals are doing or what the team is doing if they are your second choice for being a fan? I have seen the team do much worse than now so win or lose I support them. Will you apologize or say you were wrong if the Cardinals can win the NFC West again and get back to the playoffs? What if they do lose and end up picking early in the draft but don’t take a QB? Will you tell us that you were wrong on your throwing the season for a QB theory? I doubt it.
I completely agree
I actually believe that this team could have one of the best records in the NFL if they had at least a mediocre QB. But none of the QB’s we have are the answer. Maybe in the future, yes, but right now, no, and we need an answer right now.
What makes me angry is that we didn’t have a better backup plan for when Kurt Warner retired. We could have drafted a QB in 2008 or 2009 and worked with them for a year or two. Then, they’d probably be ready. I have a feeling that the Cardinals knew they weren’t going to stick with Matt Leinart.
Right now, I’m all for picking up the next best QB available. Give him the reigns of this talented Offense. Even if he does average, we’ll still do a ton better.
by Skii on Nov 1, 2010 5:34 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
KING SOLOMON HIMSELF NO WISER THAN REDBIRD NATION #1
Absolutely need an offensive coordinator. Steady decline since Haley’s
departure in production and creativity. As for the “D”…need better coverage
from our safeties and DRC. Even Toler got burned. And Rhodes was
just simply embarrassed. Did the Cards even get one sack that game?
by GILA-RIVER-CLUB-WEST Sec215 Row4 Seat10 on Nov 1, 2010 6:14 PM MDT reply actions
obviously you didn’t catch the defensive stand that gave us a chance to win the game
by cardsfanforlife24 on Nov 1, 2010 6:35 PM MDT up reply actions
Will Davis and Joey Porter each got a sack.
Porter smoked the tight end to get to Freeman from the blind side. He was also in on the play that Davis got his sack. They came either side of the right tackle. Freeman rolled out far to the right to escape, could have thrown the ball out of bounds but held on too late.
Joey has 2 sacks since he said he'd be fine....
I hope this continues…
He also said he would end the season with 12 sacks.
Bring it on Joey! I was encouraged by the way Davis got after the QB too. Definitely faster and more agile than Haggans.
I love how everyone praises Haley's play calling while simultaneously forgetting (or maybe never knowing)
that it was the Whiz who groomed him into our OC.
Wait until everyone loves Billy Davis
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
There does seem to be a drop off in creativity.
Warner’s shoulder injury may have been a factor last season. It’s been struggle enough just getting consistant QB play this season. Whisenhunt wearing too many hats could be a factor too. I’d love to see a more expanded playbook as the season goes on. I have a feeling Whis will go back to Anderson now. With a veteran at QB it is more likely that the offensive playbook will open up more. It’s hard to dial up the gadget plays when your offense isn’t getting the base package to work first.
To piggyback on that thought
what exactly would Haley be calling that could make up for QB’s who aren’t playing to an acceptable level? I agree that DA is likely regain his starting job, on the upside he quietly went 16-24 and has given our offense signs of life the last two weeks. Just need him to avoid the killer INT’s and we may have something workable.
Where has DRC gone?
He just doesnt seem that interested this year. He has all the physical ability to be a top 5 corner in the league but doesnt seem to want to put the effort in.
by Redbird Nation #1 on Nov 1, 2010 7:00 PM MDT reply actions
well said
I am baffled. he appears to be loafing it. I would consider benching him despite his physical attributes
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
He looks like he did his rookie year
when he thought he could make up for the distance with his speed while the ball is in the air….
that or he’s still not 100%, and is not saying anything….
too much cushion being given out there…
by Cardzfan on Nov 2, 2010 6:57 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
I support our coach. Not afraid to say it.
And I will admit the FO messed up the QB situation. They believed DA with talent around him could succeed and obviously he hasn’t. Hall looked like a frightened child out there. All that talk amounted to nothing. Honestly I was pretty shocked at how bad Hall looked. I wasn’t expecting Manning, but neither was I expecting a deer in the headlights. I think Maxamania went to his head.
Outside of the QB situation I am happy with the team. I am not going to blast the team or the FO because we are being held back by terrible QB play. Lenon, Rhodes, D. Wash, Toler, Hightower, DRC, Beanie, and LSH are all products of our current FO who have been excelling. Whiz and CO made a huge blunder with our QB situation yet everywhere else they are doing a very good job.
I think we need an OC but not because Whiz is a bad play caller. We need an OC that will challenge the calls he makes in order to give some perspective (everyone needs a devils advocate). We have such good wide outs is makes sense we stretch the field as much as we do. The second pick DA threw was all his fault, it wasn’t the play call. Doucet was open, if DA would have progressed through his reads we would have won the game right than and there and our conversation would be WTF where did DA come from (side note, we are one of the best teams in the red zone and Whiz’s play calling in that area is as good or better than anyone else’s in the league. I liked the play call, just not the result).
Everyone needs to stop overreacting. I know we were poised to be very good this season and so far it has been disappointing but we still have 9 games ahead of us. Calling for our coaches head is down right ridiculous. He has turned our franchise around for the better. No one, not even Retiree, can deny that. I would prefer him over all but three coaches in the league and that’s not me being a homer. That’s me being a coach myself respecting how he runs the team, how he has created a winning culture and has developed talent through the draft. What have we learned this season? The Wonderful Whiz of AZ is not infallible. He has made mistakes. But one bad season and we ax the best coach to come to AZ in… ever? Look at other teams around the league, Chicago with Lovie, Dallas with Wade Phillips, I mean look at what Shanahan did this week with McNabb! He took him out in the two minute drill and his backup got smashed for a fumble TD. Singletary was about to get fired and might still if Troy Smith doesn’t play this coming week like he did last week. Our situation is not dire, but it’s not good either.
My point in all of this is settle down everyone. Our coach and FO F’d up the QB situation but our team is still good, it still has tons of developing youth and promise and it can still win the NFC Worst. One down season isn’t going to define our team or our coach.
I support Whiz, but not blindly. I am very disappointed and my Sunday was ruined by our loss. But I am not going to quit on the team because I am a fan that remembers what it was like before we went to the Superbowl. Whiz is going to keep us competitive in this league for years
by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 1, 2010 9:39 PM MDT reply actions 4 recs
Sorry to add to a super long post already
But anyone who calls for Whiz’s head after one season might as well stop being a fan. I have no problem with people questioning his moves, decisions and actions because that is what us fans do. We over analyze and over hype everything. But let’s remain rationale.
by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 1, 2010 9:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I commend you.
Your undying support of the HC is your choice. I differ in my assesment of his abilities. We do not know if Whiz is the best thing since peanutbutter or a mirage created by the HOF exploits of Kurt Warner.
With Warner out of the way, Whiz stands alone on the big stage known as the NFL. He is responsible for putting this team together, team cohesion, team morale, and play calling, on offense, defense, and special teams. He is, after all the head coach.
Whiz is responsible for team preparation and game plans. Ultimately he is responsible for wins and losses.
With warner out of the way we are getting our first real view of who Whiz is, as a HC.
So far, as you may suspect, I am unimpressed.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 2, 2010 4:29 PM MDT up reply actions
hope so.....
because it aint looking so good right now…
I'm sorry but I do have one lone thing to say beyond what I've said thus far.
I am truly saddened by the fact we have no viable QB as we (Cardinals) are wasting the immense talents of players such as: Fitz, Doucet, Boobs, Hightower, Wells, A-Dub, Dockett, Hayes etc. The players I’ve singled out aren’t guaranteed to be on the club for much longer and that is a waste of a window of opportunity. Yes I know A-Dub, Dockett, Wells are signed up for a considerable time but even a year wasted is unacceptable. We (Cardinals) have the best roster from top to bottom minus the QB and we need to be cashing in on our time. The NFL changes in a lashing of the eye so we needn’t waste the talent that is always aging but is top notch now. We have to take it to the NFL now.
I agree with this statement....
and unlike the niners and cowboys, I do think we are one of the better teams in the league, if not for the QB position….This is on the mgmt, and possibly Whiz, but we’ll probably never know….
The 49ers and the Cowboys can say the same thing.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Nov 2, 2010 12:51 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I'd kill for an Orton right now.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Nov 2, 2010 9:32 AM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
Denver's got the opposite problem.
A quarterback that is nailing it surrounded by a crippled team that can’t hold up their end.
If Derek Anderson starts, the Cardinals lose.
Easy math, right?
Hooowwwllll!
I would like to see LaRod in the backfield a lot more. If the pro-bowl voting is free, I plan to spend a 1/2 hr or more clicking buttons to nominate LaRod over and over and over for Special Teams.
by SammySushi on Nov 2, 2010 8:39 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Why is everything turning green again!
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
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