APIn 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.
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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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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“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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