Leinart to start at QB for Cards, but . . .
This is The Republic's Cardinals Insider column for Monday.
Only a few minutes after the 2007 ended, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was asked a question that will be posed to him in a thousand different forms over the next few months.
Who is your starting quarterback?
The answer then, and now, is Matt Leinart, the 10th overall pick in the draft two years ago. But Leinart's hold on the job is tenuous. That was evident in the team's voluntary practice last Thursday, when backup Kurt Warner took most of the snaps with the first-team offense while Leinart guided the second unit.
That was a change from the first five voluntary practices.
Whisenhunt downplayed the move, saying that Leinart remains the starter. But to think that a message was not being sent would be naive.
Leinart, by all accounts, has worked diligently this off-season. He's regularly attended training sessions with strength and conditioning coach John Lott and spent time watching video with quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
The coaches have no problem with Leinart's work habits. So why was he working with the backups?
It might be that coaches just want to give Warner some time with the starters. Whisenhunt wasn't available for extended interviews last Thursday, so he didn't comment at length about the subject.
My guess is that the move was designed to convey the following message to Leinart:
Yes, you are the starter, but it's a job that could be taken away from you. Here's a little reminder that the guy behind you, the one who threw 27 touchdown passes last year, is pretty good. And you must play well through the summer to hang on to your job.
No couch time
Receiver Steve Breaston returned home near Pittsburgh after last season to rest and recuperate. He relaxed on the couch, ate his mom's cooking, watched television and rarely left the house.
Lounging and watching movies while everyone else in the house went to work was enjoyable for a week or so. Then Breaston became antsy.
"I told my brother, 'I have to go home (to Arizona). I'm here from the time I wake to 5 and I don't see anyone,'" Breaston said. "I was there for a week and then I got back out here."
Then Breaston went to work. He worked diligently with Lott and has gained about five pounds, up to 190. More importantly, he's added muscle to his upper body, which should help him contend for the No. 3 receiver's job behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
"I told another person, 'This is the hardest I've worked in my life,' " Breaston said. "And I'm really seeing it."
With his slight build, Breaston had difficulty beating press coverage. And he was worried about the physical pounding he might take over a whole season.
Breaston, a fifth-round pick last year, proved to be a capable punt and kick returner last year, but his receiving skills were raw. He entered this off-season determined to earn more than just a role as a specialist.
Breaston's performance this off-season has made him the leading contender for the third receiver's slot, although rookie Early Doucet, Jerheme Urban, Ahmad Merritt and Jamaica Rector will provide competition.
"More than anybody from this team, I think Steve benefited from the off-season workouts here," Fitzgerald said. "It's really showing everyday. He's trying to expand his role from just being a special teams guy to helping us on the offensive side."
Travel plans
The Cardinals likely will stay and practice in Washington, D.C., the week between their games at the Redskins (Sept. 21) and the Jets (Sept. 28).
It hasn't been determined where they will practice, but there are numerous small colleges in the Washington area that could be home for a week. The tentative plan is to take a train to New Jersey the day before the Jets game.
This is The Republic's Cardinals Insider column for Monday.
Only a few minutes after the 2007 ended, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was asked a question that will be posed to him in a thousand different forms over the next few months.
Who is your starting quarterback?
The answer then, and now, is Matt Leinart, the 10th overall pick in the draft two years ago. But Leinart's hold on the job is tenuous. That was evident in the team's voluntary practice last Thursday, when backup Kurt Warner took most of the snaps with the first-team offense while Leinart guided the second unit.
That was a change from the first five voluntary practices.
Whisenhunt downplayed the move, saying that Leinart remains the starter. But to think that a message was not being sent would be naive.
Leinart, by all accounts, has worked diligently this off-season. He's regularly attended training sessions with strength and conditioning coach John Lott and spent time watching video with quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
The coaches have no problem with Leinart's work habits. So why was he working with the backups?
It might be that coaches just want to give Warner some time with the starters. Whisenhunt wasn't available for extended interviews last Thursday, so he didn't comment at length about the subject.
My guess is that the move was designed to convey the following message to Leinart:
Yes, you are the starter, but it's a job that could be taken away from you. Here's a little reminder that the guy behind you, the one who threw 27 touchdown passes last year, is pretty good. And you must play well through the summer to hang on to your job.
No couch time
Receiver Steve Breaston returned home near Pittsburgh after last season to rest and recuperate. He relaxed on the couch, ate his mom's cooking, watched television and rarely left the house.
Lounging and watching movies while everyone else in the house went to work was enjoyable for a week or so. Then Breaston became antsy.
"I told my brother, 'I have to go home (to Arizona). I'm here from the time I wake to 5 and I don't see anyone,'" Breaston said. "I was there for a week and then I got back out here."
Then Breaston went to work. He worked diligently with Lott and has gained about five pounds, up to 190. More importantly, he's added muscle to his upper body, which should help him contend for the No. 3 receiver's job behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
"I told another person, 'This is the hardest I've worked in my life,' " Breaston said. "And I'm really seeing it."
With his slight build, Breaston had difficulty beating press coverage. And he was worried about the physical pounding he might take over a whole season.
Breaston, a fifth-round pick last year, proved to be a capable punt and kick returner last year, but his receiving skills were raw. He entered this off-season determined to earn more than just a role as a specialist.
Breaston's performance this off-season has made him the leading contender for the third receiver's slot, although rookie Early Doucet, Jerheme Urban, Ahmad Merritt and Jamaica Rector will provide competition.
"More than anybody from this team, I think Steve benefited from the off-season workouts here," Fitzgerald said. "It's really showing everyday. He's trying to expand his role from just being a special teams guy to helping us on the offensive side."
Travel plans
The Cardinals likely will stay and practice in Washington, D.C., the week between their games at the Redskins (Sept. 21) and the Jets (Sept. 28).
It hasn't been determined where they will practice, but there are numerous small colleges in the Washington area that could be home for a week. The tentative plan is to take a train to New Jersey the day before the Jets game.
I thought this team would be closer to the playoffs by this point. hard to be a cards fan.
