Leinart ‘frustrated’ after losing starting job
The seemingly inevitable occurred when Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt announced that Derek Anderson would get the nod over Matt Leinart for Arizona’s final preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Leinart has not impressed in the preseason and his last game against the Tennessee Titans was mediocre at best.
Although Leinart completed most of his passes, they were all very short ones. The Cardinals failed to convert a first-down with Leinart under centre, producing a trio of three-and-outs. That’s ultimately what the move boiled down to as Whisenhunt simply said the move was made in a search for “more first downs” the coach said.
Leinart says while he isn’t happy about the demotion and feels the offence is simply trying to build chemistry. The Cardinals’ quarterback situation is looking grim as fans lobby for Kurt Warner to come out of retirement, which won’t happen.
“It is disappointing and a little bit frustrating,” Leinart said. “I can’t sit up here and say I’m happy and all smiles. It is frustrating. I have high expectations on myself, and I think, based on my body of work in the preseason, I have been accurate and not turned the ball over. I think the preseason is about gelling together as an offense. We have a lot of new faces on the offense.”
To Leinart’s credit, the Cardinals do have a new offence as Warner and Anquan Boldin are both gone. Boldin was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason and with the trade the Cardinals lost a tremendous one-two punch in Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
“Moving forward, I have to keep working. Go out (Saturday) and work my butt off and let my play do the talking. I am confident in my ability. I am extremely disappointed, and I’m not exactly sure why this decision was made, but it’s not my decision.”
It’s still very much possible that Leinart can win the starting job back. If he outperforms Anderson in the final two preseason games, it’s virtually a lock that he’ll be the starter heading into the regular season. With what the organization has invested in the former first-round draft pick, you have to believe they want to see Leinart in regular season action. Leinart says he is determined to win his coaches over and believes he’ll ultimately win the starting job.
“I think if it’s an open competition, then let’s make it that from the get-go, go out there and let the best player win. I believe that I’m going to be starter that opening game.”
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