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Cards reportedly to name Warner starting QB

Arizona worried about Leinart's arm strength, consistency

Image: Matt Leinart
Paul Sakuma / AP
Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart threw three interceptions against the Raiders on Saturday night.
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updated 12:41 p.m. ET Aug. 24, 2008

In the wake of a dismal performance by Matt Leinart on Saturday night, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to name Kurt Warner as their starting quarterback, ESPN reported, citing an unnamed team source.

The Cardinals are worried about Leinart's arm strength and consistency, ESPN reported, citing the unnamed source.

Leinart threw three interceptions in less than two quarters before Arizona’s offense opened things up in the second half of a 24-0 victory over the Raiders on Saturday night.

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Coach Ken Whisenhunt said after the game that Leinart was still in the running to be the starter.

“I know Matt’s down because he didn’t play as well as he would have liked,” Whisenhunt said. “This competition, being pushed by Kurt, has made Matt tougher. It’s one of the things you have to be as a quarterback.”

Leinart’s first pass was a deep one to Larry Fitzgerald that floated up long enough for safety Michael Huff to pick it off.

The performance didn’t get much better after that. Leinart led the Cardinals on a field goal drive midway through the first quarter, but that was it as far as positives go.

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On a rollout in the second quarter, Leinart stared right at cornerback Stanford Routt and then threw it his way for the second interception. His final pass was a floater to Anquan Boldin that backup Rashad Baker intercepted.

Leinart finished the game with only one more completion to his receivers than he had to Raiders defenders, going 4-for-12 for 24 yards.

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The Cardinals offense got going in the second half under Warner, scoring on a 14-yard run by rookie Tim Hightower and a 67-yard run by J.J. Arrington on the first two possessions of the third quarter.

“We didn’t run the ball as well with Matt as we did with Kurt,” Whisenhunt said. “It helps a quarterback to do that. It wasn’t all Matt. I was pleased with the response of our team, the way we responded.”

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