Matt Leinart took a significant step forward as Kurt Warner's successor with a strong showing against the Titans.
The fact that Arizona lost the game anyway prevents the Cardinals from enjoying Leinart’s performance.
The manner in which the Cardinals lost -- allowing a long touchdown drive in the final minutes-- recalled the problems Arizona faced in trying to close out Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII.
The Cardinals’ late collapse on defense in that game played a role in coach Ken Whisenhunt’s decision to replace defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. The coaching change couldn’t prevent the same thing from happening against the Titans.
Allowing a 99-yard touchdown drive to lose the game against Tennessee has to be discouraging for Arizona. The Cardinals might not be as confident the next time they face such a situation.
And yet there was plenty for the Cardinals to like about this game before the very end.
The go-ahead 80-yard touchdown drive Leinart led in the third quarter stands as a signature drive for him this season. Whisenhunt stuck up for Leinart after the quarterback failed to generate points during the second half against the Rams last week. Leinart validated Whisenhunt's defense of him by meeting the challenge Sunday.
It was important for Leinart to earn the confidence Whisenhunt had shown in him. The Cardinals now know they can compete in a tough road game against a hot team with Leinart under center. That makes Leinart credible. It removes pressure, perhaps giving him a better chance to succeed.
Leinart played well enough to win, but he also needed a few assists from rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling. Stephens-Howling's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown kept the Cardinals close enough for Whisenhunt to stick with the running game, a huge help for Leinart during the go-ahead drive. Stephens-Howling also downed two punts deep in Titans territory late in the game.
The critical question heading into Week 13 is whether Warner can overcome the concussion he suffered in Week 11, and whether the Cardinals can protect him well enough against the Vikings if Warner does return.
Beating the Titans on the road might have bought options for the Cardinals. They would have been in better position to give Leinart another start, just to be safe.
The fact that Arizona lost the game anyway prevents the Cardinals from enjoying Leinart’s performance.
The manner in which the Cardinals lost -- allowing a long touchdown drive in the final minutes-- recalled the problems Arizona faced in trying to close out Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII.
The Cardinals’ late collapse on defense in that game played a role in coach Ken Whisenhunt’s decision to replace defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. The coaching change couldn’t prevent the same thing from happening against the Titans.
Allowing a 99-yard touchdown drive to lose the game against Tennessee has to be discouraging for Arizona. The Cardinals might not be as confident the next time they face such a situation.
And yet there was plenty for the Cardinals to like about this game before the very end.
The go-ahead 80-yard touchdown drive Leinart led in the third quarter stands as a signature drive for him this season. Whisenhunt stuck up for Leinart after the quarterback failed to generate points during the second half against the Rams last week. Leinart validated Whisenhunt's defense of him by meeting the challenge Sunday.
It was important for Leinart to earn the confidence Whisenhunt had shown in him. The Cardinals now know they can compete in a tough road game against a hot team with Leinart under center. That makes Leinart credible. It removes pressure, perhaps giving him a better chance to succeed.
Leinart played well enough to win, but he also needed a few assists from rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling. Stephens-Howling's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown kept the Cardinals close enough for Whisenhunt to stick with the running game, a huge help for Leinart during the go-ahead drive. Stephens-Howling also downed two punts deep in Titans territory late in the game.
The critical question heading into Week 13 is whether Warner can overcome the concussion he suffered in Week 11, and whether the Cardinals can protect him well enough against the Vikings if Warner does return.
Beating the Titans on the road might have bought options for the Cardinals. They would have been in better position to give Leinart another start, just to be safe.
Mike Sando | email
NFL- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
ABOUT THIS BLOG
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.
You must be signed in to post a comment