The curious case of Matt Leinart
Whether it was his intentions or not, Ken Whisenhunt just started a storm of epic proportions in Arizona.
Whisenhunt made the announcement Thursday that Derek Anderson – not former first round pick Matt Leinart – would start in the Cardinals’ third preseason game on Saturday. Leinart of course, was being viewed as Kurt Warner’s replacement and has taken first-team reps throughout the entire offseason.
Now rumors have started to circulate that the Cards are ready to give up on Leinart and may even try to trade him before the season starts.
On Friday, Leinart lashed out and expressed his frustration with the situation.
“It is disappointing and a little bit frustrating. I can’t sit up here and say I’m happy and all smiles,” said Leinart. “If it is an open competition, then let’s have it that way from the start.”
Leinart has a point. Although he has done nothing in preseason to warrant being the regular season starter, he has also been given fewer opportunities to shine. He has attempted just 13 passes thus far (compared to Anderson’s 41) and while he has yet to throw a touchdown pass or move the ball with any regularity, Anderson has thrown two picks and has a worse completion percentage (58.5% to Leinart’s 76.9%).
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Posted in: NFL
Tags: Anthony Stalter, Arizona Cardinals, Ken Whisenhunt, Matt Leinart, Matt Leinart benched