The Arizona Cardinals' choices at quarterback appear more favorable after coach Ken Whisenhunt replaced Matt Leinart with Derek Anderson for the team's third exhibition game Saturday night.
The chart shows how both players fared. Leinart completed his final seven attempts. He led one touchdown drive and was close to leading another until Beanie Wells lost a fumble deep in Chicago Bears territory shortly before halftime.
Whisenhunt's lineup change caught Leinart off guard. The timing of it caught some fans off guard as well. Leinart hadn't really gotten many chances to prove himself during the first two exhibition games. The switch to Anderson threatened to derail Leinart for good in Arizona, particularly if Leinart's opportunities remained limited. But the game against Chicago played out favorably for the Cardinals.
Neither quarterback was perfect. Anderson appeared off target with a few passes. Leinart held the ball too long once, inviting a sack. Leinart also might not have seen a wide-open receiver on another play (Cardinals analyst Ron Wolfley made that observation; I could not verify what he saw while watching the broadcast).
As the chart shows, both quarterbacks were effective.
The chart shows how both players fared. Leinart completed his final seven attempts. He led one touchdown drive and was close to leading another until Beanie Wells lost a fumble deep in Chicago Bears territory shortly before halftime.
Whisenhunt's lineup change caught Leinart off guard. The timing of it caught some fans off guard as well. Leinart hadn't really gotten many chances to prove himself during the first two exhibition games. The switch to Anderson threatened to derail Leinart for good in Arizona, particularly if Leinart's opportunities remained limited. But the game against Chicago played out favorably for the Cardinals.
Neither quarterback was perfect. Anderson appeared off target with a few passes. Leinart held the ball too long once, inviting a sack. Leinart also might not have seen a wide-open receiver on another play (Cardinals analyst Ron Wolfley made that observation; I could not verify what he saw while watching the broadcast).
As the chart shows, both quarterbacks were effective.
Mike Sando | email
NFL- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
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Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
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