Matt Leinart Finally Shows Some Fire, Too Bad He Uses It To Burn Bridges

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by Greg Esposito • Aug 30, 2010 2:49 PM MST

Everyone, including Ken Whisenhunt, has been waiting for Matt Leinar to show some fire. Today, he finally did; unfortunately, it looks like he's using it to burn bridges.

After practice today, Leinart shared his thoughts on his quarterback battle with Derek Anderson and subsequent demotion with AzCardinals.com's Darren Urban:

“I really want an explanation” for the situation, but acknowledged he has yet to approach Whiz to discuss the subject.Leinart also said he has “outplayed the competition” in camp.

He even went as far as to claim that he's been demoted because "this probably goes beyond football, beyond the field".

Not exactly the response you'd expect from a guy who supposedly had matured in his time as Kurt Warner's apprentice.

It is definitely a double-edged sword for Leinart (quite larger than the one he thinks Whisenhunt planted in his back). Say nothing and he isn't passionate enough about his job and his teammates. Say something and he is criticized for whining.

The problem with these quotes isn't the fact that he's decided to speak up and defend his job. It's the fact that he's decided to take his issues to the media before confronting his head coach.

Like any relationship, communication is the key. What Leinart did is the equivalent of a husband going to talk to his couples therapist before talking to his wife. It may make him feel better, but in the end he's just caused more issues for the relationship.

If Leinart has any hope of being the Cardinals' starter, he better take a different tact, because this one isn't getting him any closer to Whisenhunt.

"We are always trying to pick the best players to try and win, that’s what this process is about," Whisenhunt told Darren Urban about the quarterback situation. "This is not (about) whether you like somebody or don’t like somebody."

Everyone wanted to see fire from Leinart, but this isn't what anyone had in mind. It seems he's changed his strategy from one of scorching opponents defense on the field to one of a "scorched earth" nature off it.

Can the fences still be mended? Sure, but that depends on whether Leinart wants them to be or not.

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Comments

Storm-brewing-est thing I've heard all day

Whiz did say it is "always dicey" to have a rookie as a backup, should something happen and the Cards decide to move one of their veterans. But he did say both Max Hall and John Skelton have impressed him and he feels more comfortable about such a possibility than he did before camp

From Darren Urban’s blog. I know Whiz doesn’t want to say he’s uncomfortable with his rookies, but he could’ve phrased his words to reinforce the rookies while assuring the Cards have a veteran backup.

by ajotanelsona on Aug 30, 2010 3:02 PM MST reply actions

Scorched earth?

That’s a bit of a stretch, in my opinion. I agree that’s not the best way to go about airing his issues, but it’s been obvious for some time he’s been in the dark (as has everybody else). If I were to guess, I think he was answering a question and chose his response poorly. There wasn’t enough context for me to leap to the ‘burn bridges’ metaphor…

by psknapp on Aug 30, 2010 3:54 PM MST reply actions

I agree

I think the bulk of this mess falls on Whiz for not handling the situation better

Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Aug 30, 2010 4:21 PM MST up reply actions

The responsibility does lie on Whisenhunt

It’s his team and I’m sure he’d be the first to tell you that. The problem is that Leinart decided to air his grievances in a public forum. I don’t care what anyone claims, Matt isn’t an idiot. He’s been asked the same questions all training camp and hasn’t responded in this manor prior. He saw the writing on the wall and chose to respond in this way. I think he did it full well knowing it would force Whisenhunt’s hand and make him have a candid conversation with him. Matt seems to be making it clear that he won’t be backup on this team.

I once tried to quit a job using a dry erase board. Unfortunately I wrote the first part in Sharpie so I couldn't finish.

by Greg Esposito on Aug 30, 2010 4:42 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Best place to eventually be a starting QB?

Backup behind Derek Anderson. Because it’ll be sooner rather than later.

by psknapp on Aug 30, 2010 6:22 PM MST up reply actions

This quote is so freaking accurate...

It is definitely a double-edged sword for Leinart (quite larger than the one he thinks Whisenhunt planted in his back). Say nothing and he isn’t passionate enough about his job and his teammates. Say something and he is criticized for whining.

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, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.

by JoeCB1991 on Aug 30, 2010 7:52 PM MST reply actions