Aug

28

St. Pierre for President, er Starting QB

Posted by cardinal_chick

August 28, 2008 |

So, Kurt Warner is getting the start vs. Denver on 8/29, the Cardinals’ final preseason game (and my birthday!!)  Apparently, we all (and this includes NFL.com) believed that Ken Whisenhunt had, in fact, named Warner the starting QB for the season over Matt Leinart, following Leinart’s abysmal play vs. the Raiders last week.  But we were in error.  The fact remains that Whisenhunt still has not made a decision.  His decision for the Broncos matchup was based upon the discrepancy in playing time between the two:  while Leinart has taken 57 preseason snaps, Warner has only had 30.  Additionally, Whisenhunt wants to see how Warner fares with the first string.  It is also very likely that both QBs will get some playing time Friday night.

First of all, what is wrong with having a tandem at the QB position (aside from annoying the heck out of fantasy team owners?)  After all, there isn’t just one RB, WR, or TE, is there?  Say, for example, that Warner could be put in for passing plays while Leinart goes in to hand off the ball to the RBs.  JUST KIDDING! (Sheesh, I wouldn’t want anyone to remove me from their MySpace friend list or anything like that!!)  Of course, that would be entirely too predictable.  But mixing up the QBs would definitely give defenses something to ponder.

Then there’s Brian St. Pierre; currently the Cards’ 3rd string QB.  This Boston College alumnus (Doug Flutie anyone?) has been in the league for 6 years, with 3 of his first 5 seasons in Pittsburgh working for - you guessed it - Whisenhunt.  So there is some professional history between them which led Arizona to grab the free agent after last season injuries to both Warner and Leinart provided the impetus for a competent 3rd string QB.

To make matters interesting, Whisenhunt said that St. Pierre has played well enough during the preseason to have a legitimate shot at starting.  Now, the degree of seriousness behind this statement is up for debate, and St. Pierre himself said he isn’t sure where he fits “in the puzzle.”  He says he feels he’s played pretty well, but there is always room for improvement.  In fact, this preseason, St. Pierre has had more playing time than during his entire previous 5 seasons, throwing an impressive 23 of 30 passes for 220 yds and 2 TDs - that’s a 77% completion rate and a passer rating of 118.7.

Whether St. Pierre feels he can start or not, he is definitely in the mix.  And if not this season, then quite realistically, next season.  With Warner’s advanced age (hey, I’m not ragging on him, I’m older than he is…sob) and Leinart’s inconsistencies, St. Pierre might just find himself atop the QB depth chart in 2009 - if not sooner.

stpierremain.jpg

(Source: azcardinals.com)


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. The Jazzy One on August 28, 2008 10:13 am

    I can’t believe how Leinart’s stock has fallen. A few short years ago, people were shocked that he fell all the way to, what, the 10th pick overall? Now he might lose his starting job to a guy that is likely to light it up on any given night and throw for 375 yards with 4 TD passes, but then, unfortunately, might go out the next week and throw 3 picks and fumble twice.

    Although… in a cool twist for me (being a Vikings fan and all), if Leinart sits this season, and Vince Young continues to struggle like he has in the preseason so far, Tarvaris Jackson will be battling it out with Jay Cutler for the top QB in their draft class. :-)

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

<< Post Navigation >>

« « Cards Smoke the Raiders!! | Glad it’s still preseason » »



-->