Let’s Not Hit the Fire Alarm Just Yet
By Scott Allen
Sure, the Arizona Cardinals first team didn’t play well last night against the Tennessee Titans. I get that. It is the second week in a row the Cardinals first team has failed on both sides of the ball. Don’t just be calling for anyone’s head just yet. Wait till next week to do that. That’s when the first team should probably play its most significant time of preseason. Next week, by the way, comes only four days from now in Chicago.
Matt Leinart didn’t look good for a second week in a row. It wasn’t all his fault. It would have been nice to see the offensive line give him some protection. To be honest, I didn’t think any phase of the Cardinals looked good except for the third team offense that managed a touchdown under the direction of Max Hall.
Derek Anderson played better this week, which was nice to see. Let’s not be calling for him to start just yet. Let’s remember two things. First, we want to see consistency. Anderson hasn’t shown that yet and isn’t that what we are all calling for Leinart to do as well? So until we see it from Anderson, I wouldn’t be calling for him to start. Secondly, this is the preseason. I know you can only use that excuse for so long. Leinart happened to use it last night which I don’t necessarily agree with. Let’s all remember coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn’t use much of the playbook in preseason. The Cards haven’t been a good preseason team under coach Whiz, much thanks to the conservativeness.
So whose stock went up and went down last night?
Up:
Max Hall. He definitely created competition for the third quarterback between himself and John Skelton.
Max Komar. Two weeks in a row making nice grabs. Last night’s counted for a touchdown.
Down:
Stephen Williams. I don’t know, but he missed two routes/passes pretty badly between two different quarterbacks. Sounds like that’s a receiver not on the same page to me.
Tim Hightower. Five carries, three yards. I’m not impressed.
Two weeks left in preseason boys. Two weeks.