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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) speaks with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) after the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-19. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Arizona Cardinals' quarterback carousel is back in motion after the team lost its sixth consecutive game on Sunday to the Atlanta Falcons.

After John Skelton missed Larry Fitzgerald on a post-corner route in the end zone following an Atlanta turnover, head coach Ken Whisenhunt turned to rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Lindley.

Fox NFL Analyst Daryl Johnston told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf Monday he was not surprised Whisenhunt had seen enough of Skelton, who went 2-of-7 for just six yards, with the botched throw to Fitzgerald sealing his fate.

But at this point, Johnston feels the team can't go back to their beleaguered quarterback after making such a bold move.

"When you do that, I've always believed that you've gotten to the point when ‘I make this change, I'm staying with it'. You can't go back and forth with the quarterback position and we'll have to wait and see how Kevin Kolb does returning to the field," Johnston said.

Lindley, who started the season third on the Cardinals' depth chart at quarterback, went 9-for-20 for 64 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against the Falcons. While, he certainly didn't set the football world on fire in his debut, Johnston didn't see any reason the 23-year-old rookie shouldn't get the start next week against the Rams.

"[Lindley] just missed one time Andre Roberts and one time Larry Fitzgerald on the deep throw," Johnston said. "So I don't know how much time he had at practice during the course of the bye week. I don't know many reps he took during that time, but he managed the game okay."

The young signal caller did have a turnover on a sack by Falcons' defensive end John Abraham, but Johnston said he has seen that from a number of seasoned quarterbacks and Lindley's play-calling ultimately didn't harm the Cardinals.

"He didn't make a critical decision where he had an interception that really hurt Arizona," Johnston stated.

Johnston said the ongoing struggle for the Cardinals' coaching staff has been finding some offensive stability. The team wasted a brilliant defensive effort against Atlanta where they forced six turnovers, including five Matt Ryan interceptions.

"It's just been tough and coach Whisenhunt talked to us about the continuity challenges and this is just another part of that equation, trying to build something to get some continuity on the offense," Johnston explained.

The Cardinals' struggles at quarterback and on offense have been a black cloud hovering over the team all season.

"It's been a tough year and they're just trying to do what they can to hold up their end of the bargain," Johnston said. "Their defense played outstanding yesterday but the offense just didn't hold up their end of the bargain."

Whisenhunt seemingly had no choice but to make a change at quarterback after the team's abysmal offensive performance. Still, he's not ready to name his starter for next week against St. Louis.

But, if you listen to Johnston, he has serious doubts that Skelton is the man for the Cardinals -- for the short or long-term.

"I think it's going to be very difficult for him moving forward," Johnston said. "It was an opportunity for him to step into a spot and establish himself, if not as a starter, as a dependable backup that you can rely on. [Skelton] didn't make the throws [Sunday] and for whatever reason that was, you've got to go in a direction that you feel gives your team the best opportunity to have success."

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  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Congratulations Whiz
    you managed to waste an entire bye week of work and reps.
  • Abuse
    bobinchandler wrote...
    Don't bet on it.
    Matt Lienart and Kurt Warner were tag team QB's with Whisenhunt that first year! How'd that work out? Lienart got hurt (surprise!) and he had to settle on Warner. Well, there's no future HOF'er to step in and save his reputation this time. By jerking QB's up and down the depth chart, it's no wonder they under perform when thrown to the wolves.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    stick with lindley
    Mightest well see what he has. Management should start putting together a Fitz trade package to draft that QB from Kansas State OR whoever the best QB is in the draft. There r no good QBs that r becoming FAs. Romo? Heck Naw! Kolb is always injured, Skelton sucks, and Lindley...? Cards need to hire a OC who specializes in QBs. They should fire Whiz and promote Horton to HC. He's done a phenomenal job. Better here than anywhere else. Tackles need to be acquired through FA cuz theyre gna get a QB in the draft. 1st rd rookie QBs starting out of the draft is the new trend.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    but then again
    Maybe its not the players, maybe its the coach. I'm tired of seeing whiz there on the sidelines lifeless and emotionless. It doesn't do anyone any good. I remember my coach running up and down the sidelines complimenting us and/or scolding us cuz we did something wrong and then coaching us back up again. Whiz just stands there. How do u know from him if your doing something right or wrong? I wouldn't want to play for that kind of coach. His personality isn't cut out to be a NFL HC.
  • Abuse
    nodoubtiichronicles wrote...
    bad move
    This probably goes down as strike two for Whiz. I can see putting in the rookie, who has had minimal practice reps, in an emergency, etc. Whiz needed to dance with the girl he brought to the dance. Once Linley went in, its rookie in, back to Max Hall mode, basically giving up the game.
  • Abuse
    Chuck H. wrote...
    @Fitz...
    You see what the TV shows you and thats it. Recall the Reagan Maui'a bonehead move?? Wiz gets in their faces. And I'm tired of hearing Horton for Head Coach. He's been a DC for a year and a 1/2. Making the jump to HC is huge. There is nothing that shows that Horton would make it. (See list of previous Coordinators that sucked as HC)
  • Abuse
    AzFoRkEm wrote...
    Changes Are Needed
    because the NFC West is now becoming a smash mouth football division with Jeff Fisher and Harbaugh at the helm of their teams in this division. We need a head coach that can compete with that...address the offensive line first...we failed over and over again by just plugging the holes on the OL but guess what the line has been exposed again and now the season is just about done! Offensive line first...quarterback second...running back third!
  • Abuse
    AZSPORTFAN wrote...
    Stay with Lindley
    Skelton doesn't have it and never will. Whiz needs to see what Lindley has before the season is over. I still think the decision to pull Skelton was right and I also believe that Kolb is the answer.
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