ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals had their QB but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut

Jun 20, 2011, 8:33 PM | Updated: Jun 21, 2011, 12:33 am

The seemingly never ending search for the Cardinals quarterback didn’t have to happen.

One year ago the team seemed content with their post-Warner QBs, with Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson, John Skelton and Max Hall all readying themselves for training camp.

Then Leinart went and opened his mouth.

“If he wouldn’t have held that little press conference, literally, behind the back of Ken Whisenhunt,” Sports 620 KTAR’s Paul Calvisi mused on Sports Interactive Monday, “he still would have been on the roster.

“And guess what, after the offense faltered in the month of the starter and Derek Anderson was faltering himself, he would have been the starter.”

That may be the case, but that premise shows fault with both the QB and the head coach, especially if Coach Whiz let his pride or ego cause him to cut a guy who would have — and maybe should have — been his starting quarterback.

As it stands, Leinart may get a second chance, as he’s been linked to NFC West rival Seattle. It makes sense, with Pete Carroll running the show and in possible need of a replacement for veteran Matt Hasselbeck.

“You’ve got to figure Pete Carroll’s thinking ‘I’ve won a lot of games with Matt Leinart as my quarterback,'” Sports 620 KTAR’s Dave Burns said on the show. “We thought all along that’s where he was going to be headed and I think we were all surprised last year when it didn’t happen for the Seattle Seahawks and Matt Leinart.”

Wouldn’t that be a treat for Cardinals fans, watching their former first round pick revive his career while getting the chance to beat the team — and coach — that cut him loose.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals had their QB but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut