ESPN.com is stating that the Arizona Cardinals will name veteran Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart as their starting quarterback for Week 1.

Leinart had three interceptions in the first half and completed just 4 of 12 passes for 24 yards. His passer rating was 2.8. The Cardinals won the game 24-0.

The source said Leinart’s training-camp performance has been uneven, and the Cardinals are concerned about his arm strength and consistency.

After the game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said Leinart was still in the running for the Cardinals’ starting job.

“I know Matt’s down because he didn’t play as well as he would have liked,” Whisenhunt said. “This competition, being pushed by Kurt, has made Matt tougher. It’s one of the things you have to be as a quarterback.”

This is a good move by Whisenhunt. Yes the Cardinals used a high draft pick on Matt Leinart. Yes he’s supposed to be the future. Yes he eventually has to get experience. But the bottom line is that Whisenhunt is trying to establish a philosophy in Arizona that you have to earn you way onto the field, regardless of how much money you make or how high you were drafted.

Now, do I think Warner will hang on to the job? No. He looked absolutely disastrous when he lost the job two years ago and I doubt he’ll look better this year, but maybe this will light a fire under Leinart’s ass.