Arizona Cardinals Weekly Flock
by Andrew602 on Mar 18, 2010 1:17 PM MDT
in Arizona Cardinals Links/Bird Droppings
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PrintMost of the news surround the Arizona Cardinals revolves around the signing of free agent quarterback Derek Anderson. Anderson was signed to a two year deal on Wednesday, to back up Matt Leinart. In regards to Leinart, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has been reiterating his statements that Matt is the starter heading into training camp. Why can't the media wrap their minds around that?
Leinart gets -- and gives -- the message - NFC West Blog - ESPN
First up is from Mike Sando, talking about the text message that was sent to Whisenhunt from Leinart. Whisenhunt stated," 'He is fired up about where he is and about getting in here in the offseason program and working with the guys,' Whisenhunt told reporters in Arizona."
The Leinart endorsement - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Sando also talks about Derek Anderson and Matt Lienart, and the possible feelings of Ken Whisenhunt: "No one is saying Whisenhunt handed the job to Leinart unconditionally. Whisenhunt is merely acknowledging that newly signed backup Derek Anderson will have to unseat Leinart to win the job."
How I See It: NFC West Stock Watch - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Mike Sando also provides a "Stock Watch" for the NFC west quarterbacks. I think he suspects some quarterback controversies will occur in training camp: "Expect the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ersto say good things about their starting quarterbacks this offseason. But also understand that Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Leinart and Alex Smith face increased competition after their teams acquired Charlie Whitehurst, Derek Anderson and David Carr."
Talking what-ifs doesn't interest Whiz
Darren Urban talks about Ken Whisenhunt and where he stands at this point. I wonder what Whisenhunt meant by this statement, "'I don’t think (a veteran LB) is something we have to have.' "
NFL to examine 2 possessions in playoffs OT
This is interesting and I'm pulling for this change to be made: "NFL owners will vote next week whether to allow each team a possession in overtime in the playoffs if the team winning the OT coin toss kicks a field goal on the first series."
Source: Free agent kicker Jay Feely to visit Arizona Cardinals - NFL News - FOX Sports on MSN
Fox Sports is reporting that Jay Feelywill visit the Cardinals this weekend. Hat tip to hadrarius for posting a fan shot first. Does this spell the end of Rackers in Arizona? It looks like Feely had a successful 2009: "Feely, 33, is coming off a solid season with the New York Jets. He converted 30 of 36 field goals during the regular season and made all 32 of his extra-point attempts. Feely also served as New York’s emergency punter during a first-round playoff victory against Cincinnati."
Sean Weatherspoon has private workout in Atlanta | National Football Post
Ouch. I hope this doesn't mean the Falconsdraft him in the 1st round. Weatherspoon would be a very good addition to the defense.
49ers, GM Scot McCloughan Part Ways -- NFL FanHouse
This isn't Cardinal-related but it does have to do with their division rival. With the draft a little over a month away, does this mean trouble in San Francisco?
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Haven't heard much
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Trust me guys, as a life long browns fan…yes, Derek Anderson is that bad. True enough, the Browns were awful, but make no mistake, DA’s historically bad QB performance in 2009 was a cause, not an effect.
Please be aware I like the cardinals alot, and always root for them (at least when they’re not playing the Browns)…I don’t want you to think I’m over here trying to start sh*t—just being as honest as I can be about my experience with DA.
I also am not trying to bash him because of his comments after he was released, I figured it was just knee jerk reaction and well, he should have been pissed about a few drunk fans cheering when he got hurt. Anyways, he apologized and he’s moved on so no big deal.
In the games he started last year before being benched for an equally piss poor Brady Quinn, he went 1-4 and in that time, Anderson threw two touchdowns and nine interceptions. 2. He completed only 55 of 135 pass attempts, and he actually got worse as the season progressed, com,pleting 29 of 87 passes in his last four games (with an average of only 80 yards per game).
Overall, his completion percentage was an atrocious 42.9% and his QB rating was 36.2% — dead last in the NFL in both categories, as he was in the category of yards per attempt. He was second-to-last in yards per game and fifth-to-last in interceptions, which actually was impressive considering he didn’t start in the first three games of the year. His passer rating was the lowest a quarterback has had since 1981.
Yes, he has a strong arm (although absolutely no touch whatsoever)…and that was what blinded management and coaching staff…as well as his pro-bowl season in 2007. But to me that doesn’t hold much weight anymore since his stats show him to have been the worst starting QB in the national football league in the ensuing two seasons.
He has no peripheral vision….I can’t count how many times he rolled right into a rushing DE who was being funneled outside instead of simply stepping up into the pocket.
He has a tendency also to force the ball, and he’ll leave you scratching your head in confusion when he throws into double and triple coverage, or panics and hits a LB right between the numbers with no receiver within 10 yards of the ball. It’s one of those (facepalm) what we you thinking moments…It was the turnovers that really killed us time and time and time (and time) again.
Now on to some intangibles I’ve noticed with him.
DA is also not much of a ‘field general.’ While he’s certainly not a ‘cancer’ or someone who doesn’t work hard or want to win and do well, he has a tendency to, I dunno, ‘mope,’ (I guess that’s a good word) around the field, shoulders sagging, laying on the ground, hanging his head when he makes a mistake or things are going badly (which was a lot with my brownies). He’s…just really not a leader, and while not everyone should try and be, I just can’t see how he inspired alot of his teammates on offense to have much confidence in him as their QB.
Anyways, all that being said…sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders, the cardinals are certainly a much better team, and he does posses the physical tools. He showed flashes of that in 2007…maybe he can replicate that, stranger things have happened, and I hope he does. Just don’t get your hopes up too much that he’s gonna be the answer to Leinart. I’m just hoping just his presence helps light a fire under Leinart’s ass…
I would have a sinking feeling in my stomach
if I actually thought Anderson would be taking Leinart’s place for anything short of injury. But on the bright side we’ll be drafting another QB in the 6th or 7th round so what’s the worry?
Well, just bear in mind these facts if the fans start chanting for Anderson at some point in the season. Still, he is a capable backup. He came in and filled in admirably toward the end of the season when we won 4 in a row i.e. he handed the ball off without incident.
by johnnyphoenix on Mar 18, 2010 10:39 PM MDT up reply actions
I don't think Leinart will be able to do anything that makes me want to bring Anderson off the bench
I was hoping
DA would kind of reset here in AZ. He is still pretty young and so he can still improve. Working with our staff he should get better.
Than, we can trade him.
Yeah, I guess I am an optimist but I finally think Leinart will be our guy.
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Mar 19, 2010 2:27 AM MDT up reply actions
I get that Anderson isn't amazing and hasn't been the last two seasons
But you don’t accidently throw for nearly 4000 yards and 30 TDs in the NFL. He had a good supporting cast that year and if he does by any chance start in AZ, then he’ll have a good supporting cast hear as well. I guess we’ll see what happens.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Well, he certainly has the physical talents. I will be interested to see him play with the cards…
by johnnyphoenix on Mar 19, 2010 12:25 PM MDT up reply actions
keep in mind though, even with that stallar season his career total td/ints was 46/45. His Pro Bowl season was a season where his QB rating was 82.5, but the other three years he’s been in the league, he hasn’t cracked 70.
Now, normally I intensely dislike Woody Paige but in this regard he said it best: "Derek Anderson couldn’t play dead".
’DA has unbelievable arm strength and can put the ball downfield with the best QB’s in this league… Just dont ask him to throw a 5 yard out, or a 10 yard out, or a slant, or a screen pass, or any other route that involves any sort of touch. Oh and dont ask him to make multiple reads, because he cant, when he tries to look off, its obvious to me watching at home that he is doing it, just doesnt have the make up to be a successful QB.
His success in 2007 was predicated on 2 things, career years from Winslow and Edwards, and defenses not scheming for his deep ball. The second half of 2007, specifically the Cincy game to make the playoffs (4 ints against at the time the worst passing defense in the entire NFL) is when defenses just started dropping their safeties and took away the deep routes down the sidelines. But, because Anderson panics if his first read is double teamed, he does 1 of two things, throws it anyway… or takes too long to get to his second read and throws the check down too hard and with no accuracy.
Arm strength isnt something you can teach, granted, and I hate everything about him after the comments he made, but I figured you deserved an honest assessment of what he is, based on the last few years I have suffered through his shit. The potential is there, just needs alot of work, if you have the right ppl in place maybe someone can teach him how to throw a 5 yard out.’
by johnnyphoenix on Mar 19, 2010 12:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Sounds a bit like Antrel Rolle
Did we secretly sign DA as a safety and nobody told me!?
by tw3kr on Mar 19, 2010 11:21 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
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