Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Drama Continues As Leinart Speaks Out

Aug 30 2:58p by Seth Pollack

Raise your hand if you predicted going into Cardinals training camp that there would both be quarterback controversy between Matt Leinart and Derek Anderson and that it would be allowed to devolved into such a big mess.

The soap opera was started when Coach Ken Whisenhunt pulled Matt Leinart from the starting QB role and went with David Anderson in the third preseason game. Both guys responded well on the field.

So far this preseason in three games Leinart has completed 19-of-23 pass attempts (82.6%) while Anderson is 31-for-53 (58.5%).

You will note both in better efficiency from Leinart and twice as many opportunities for Anderson.

Given that, you can understand Matt's frustration when he says this to the media after today's practice:

"I feel like I've outplayed the competition, training camp, preseason," Leinart said. "I think my plays speaks about that. For me, this goes beyond the football field.

"The philosophy is you want the best 11 guys to play. I feel like I've proved that with my performance. I don't really know what else I could possibly do, so it probably goes beyond football. For me, I just really want an explanation and I haven't been given one."

The Cardinals coach obviously has either soured on Leinart for reasons that he refuses to enumerate or this is all one big mind-game being played by Whisenhunt to try and get Leinart to step up his game even more.

Leinart probably should have handled the situation better than complaining to the media but at the same time it's up to the head coach to keep things like this from happening.

Overall, it's one giant mess and certainly a lot of drama that the team doesn't need going into the season. It's time for Whisenhunt to stop pussy-footing around and make a move.

He's let this get too far and now either should announce that Anderson is the starter and look to trade Leinart or he needs to get his young quarterback in his office and explain what's going on and how exactly he wants Matt to perform both on and off the field.