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Today in San Francisco, 49ers head coach Mike Nolan made the announcement that J.T. O’Sullivan would be the starting QB for the season opener against the Cardinals on September 7th. Translation…Alex Smith, the number one overall draft pick out of Utah in 2005, and the owner of a 6-year, $49 million contract will be holding a clipboard.
Smith has been, in a word, abysmal in 2 of his 3 seasons in the NFL. In 2005 and 2007 combined, he has thrown 3 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions, and led the 49ers to a 4-10 record in games that he’s started. O’Sullivan, a 6th round pick of the Saints way back in 2002, finally got his first live NFL action last season with the Lions, helping them to a 20-17 win over Minnesota in week two after he relieved starter Jon Kitna.
Give Mike Nolan credit. He’s playing the quarterback that he believes gives the 49ers the best chance to win football games. He’s doing it despite Smith’s former status as San Francisco’s savior, and his hefty paycheck.
I realize there is a lot of pressure on coaches to play big name quarterbacks who are high draft picks. But let’s face it, the ‘Niners are probably going to be terrible no matter who plays quarterback this season. So Nolan’s decision, while bold, doesn’t really have that many ramifications.
Ken Whisenhunt’s decision, on the other hand, could make or break the Cardinals’ season. The pressure is to play Matt Leinart, a college legend who was drafted #10 overall in 2006. Then there’s Kurt Warner, who last season gave the Cardinals their best quarterback play since the team moved to the Valley in 1988. Yet he’s the backup? And for a team picked by many to challenge for a playoff spot.
Don’t get me wrong, I want Matt Leinart to succeed. I want him to be the quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals…eventually. You need to ride the hot hand, and bleeding over from last season, that hot hand is the gloved right hand of Kurt Warner. Squeeze as much as you can out of the veteran before turning over the reins to the future QB.
C’mon Coach Whis, be like Mike. Play the quarterback who gives you the best chance to win.
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Comments
9 Responses to “Cardinals should take a cue from the Niners”
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Vince… Another terrific editorial.
And I agree with your premise 100%!
The Cardinals need to start the best QB.
And that QB is obviously Kurt Warner.
You are 100% correct. In fact, under Warner, the Cardinals had the second best red zone offense in the NFL last year (behind only the Patriots and Tom Brady). And look at these touchdowns and passes thrown numbers:
Drew Brees - 28 TDs on 652 attempts
Peyton Manning - 31 TDs on 515 attempts
Marc Bulger - 11 TDs on 378 attempts
Carson Palmer - 26 TDs on 575 attempts
Kurt Warner - 27 TDs on 451 attempts
Brett Favre - 28 TDs on 535 attempts
Derek Anderson - 29 TDs on 527 attempts
Jon Kitna - 18 TDs on 561 attempts
Matt Hasselbeck - 28 TDs on 562 attempts
Donovan McNabb - 19 TDs on 473 attempts
Matt Leinart - 2 TDs on 112 attempts
Warner’s numbers are better than all of those quarterbacks, yet of them, Warner is the only one not starting.
And the bad part is that he was just getting comfortable in the offense. In weeks 10 to 17 last year, he threw 21 touchdowns. As a comparison, Brady threw 20 touchdowns in weeks 9 through 17 (week 10 was a bye week).
If they do go with Leinart, this will prove why the Cardinals will always be mediocre at best.
Thanks Sean…I’ve said this a million times, buy my favorite statistic from last season is that over each of their last 6 games, Warner had more completions, yards and touchdowns than Tom Brady. How does that lose you a starting position?
I really don’t know. Warner is much better now, and he is a 2x MVP and Super Bowl winner. Leinart was … drafted high.
Great article, Vince!
Agree on all points 100%!
Another great editorial, Vince!
Keep ‘em coming!
Great game, Leinart, 4-12, 24 yards 3 int.
ESPN is reporting that Warner has won the job.
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