Despite team’s weekend losses, QB will determine its success in 2010. Matt Bowen
Over the first weekend of free agency, we spent a lot of time talking about the teams that made improvements to their rosters -- teams like the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins.
But when you look at a team like the Arizona Cardinals, it’s a different story. The Cards saw three starters head out of town this weekend. LB Karlos Dansby signed with the Dolphins, FS Antrel Rolle became the highest-paid safety in the league when he went to the Giants, and Anquan Boldin — a receiver who was the subject of trade rumors for two consecutive offseasons — was sent to the Ravens for third- and fourth-round picks.
A lot to lose over the course of three days.
While we were in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, Cards GM Rod Graves was asked repeatedly about these three players. With Dansby, it’s easy to say that Arizona knew he was probably gone. In the case of Rolle, Graves said the team would pursue him as if he were a free agent they were targeting. And with Boldin, it was just a matter of time — everyone knew he was for sale.
Three big names -- three players who contribute and produce on Sundays -- are now gone. But the name I keep thinking about, and a player who was glossed over this weekend but has a lasting effect on this ballclub, is QB Kurt Warner.
That’s the real issue here.
Dansby can be replaced, and WR Steve Breaston can move up and slide into Boldin’s role on the field — as he did in the playoffs. Antrel Rolle? A good safety — one with range and speed — but not an Ed Reed or a Troy Polamalu. His absence will be felt in the secondary, but you can replace a free safety in this league in this situation with a much cheaper replacement.
All of that is good to talk about, and we can bring up question marks about this team when we match it against the rest of the NFC West — which seems to be rebuilding on the fly as well.
But despite those losses, the fact still remains that Matt Leinart is the quarterback of the Cardinals — not Warner.
How Leinart plays, how he prepares (which has been questioned before) and how he reacts to the adversity at the quarterback position over the course of 16 games is the real story from my perspective.
The offensive scheme in Arizona is conducive to Leinart’s game. There’s no reason the former first-round pick shouldn’t produce good enough numbers under Ken Whisenhunt this season. The underneath routes, the 3-step game and the multiple combination routes we see from the Cards’ stack-and-bunch alignments should play into Leinart’s favor.
But is he ready? The offseason programs in the NFL start soon, and Leinart is finally in a position where he will go into the first minicamp as a starter. His preparation will be key, because a blown opportunity here and not only do the Cards suffer and lose control of the NFC West, but Leinart’s career itself will take a major detour — most likely to backup status.
Yes, losing those three big names gives us something to discuss and speculate on in early March, but the story in ‘Zona should still be all about Leinart.
He produces and this team wins — despite the free-agent losses. He struggles, and it doesn’t matter who’s on the field.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
For a look at 10 questions surrounding the NFC West during free agency and before the draft, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
@Meateater
I would be shocked if AZ wanted to move Leinart. This should be his team this year and he does fit what they are trying to do on offense.
Matt, I'm not suggesting they would trade him, only bring in another QB. You suggested it was risky to rely on him, as he is unproven. I think Vick or Campbell could be had for a mid range pick.
Of course, if you were running the Cards, wouldn't you at least want to see if Pete Carroll, sitting there with two first round picks, had any interest in his old QB?
Leinart will be good enough to win the West. That division is awful. 9-7 will get it done.
Rolle might be the most overpaid player of the weekend. Top paid FS in the league? Please...
There is no way Seattle would give up a 1st Round pick for an underachieving QB when they are already somewhat unwilling to give up a 1st for a top 5 WR in Brandon Marshall. A 3rd Rd pick at best is what Seattle should offer for Leinart, and even that seems steep, especially when you consider Seneca Wallace is probably better than Leinart anyway.
My impression of Leinert is he just doesn't have the ability to zing the ball in there. All his passes seem to float, IMHO.
[q]My impression of Leinert is he just doesn't have the ability to zing the ball in there. All his passes seem to float, IMHO.
[/q]
Not trying to compare the two, but it seems Philip River's passes float on every pass too. If you have the anticipation and accuracy you can overcome a great arm. Now the question remains if Leinhart has those two qualities.
I think he'll play well this year.
^ I guess this site doesn't support HTML. ;)
The bootleg play from base formations, the other things Matt mentions that are already staples of their high-flying game. When Leinert had to throw in games he usually stayed very safe and got completions, the times I could view. How confident is he going downfield?
They may actually get better percentages and still only challenge the periphery. Getting the ball to the wideouts hands is more than half the battle, these guys can do stuff with the football, after the catch.
No one is 'protected' with new...
Offseason training is crucial...
Breaking down the slant route...
Why the rest of the NFL needs...
Chalkboard breakdown of the 9...
Mar 08, 2010
10:23 AM
Good points, matt. The best thing they have going for them is playing in the weakest division in football. At worst, they have fallen back to the Niners, a decent team with QB problems also. Do you think the Cards go with Leinart or bring in some competition for him? You know that Vick and Jason Campbell are available, and that third rounder they got for Boldin would do the trick.