Leinart makes strong case to be Cards starting QB

By Mark Brown, Special to the Rocky

Published August 30, 2008 at 12:16 a.m.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Based on his performance here in the preseason, quarterback Matt Leinart gave the Arizona Cardinals every reason to bench the Heisman Trophy winner.

Until he met the Denver Broncos.

On Friday night, the Broncos secondary was as generous to Leinart as the Arizona media and fans have been hostile. Coming into the final preseason game. Leinart had completed 18-of-31 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown. His completion rating was a poor 58.1 percent and his quarterback rating plummeted to 45.4.

Last week against Oakland, Leinart went 4-for-12 for 24 yards and threw three picks. So pitiful was his production that Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt started 11-year veteran Kurt Warner on Friday night.

Against the Broncos, Warner put up an efficient 4-for-4, for 48 yards in the opening quarter, and then left for the evening.

Enter Leinart, who took control when the Cardinals took possession on their own 10 with four seconds remaining in the opening period.

Because Denver coach Mike Shanahan played no starters Friday night, Leinart went against the second string and few candidates for the nickel back position.

The result was a moment of redemption for Leinart as this was an hour of embarrassment and trepidation for the Broncos secondary and individuals trying to hold on to a job.

Leinart immediately went to work on right corner Domonique Foxworth, who is penciled as a strong contender for that nickel-back slot. Despite Karl Paymah sliding over to assist on coverage, Leinart delivered an immediate dose of salvation.

Taking over on the final play of the opening period, Leinart proceeded to guide the Cardinals on a seven-play, 90-yard scoring drive. Along the way, he picked on Foxworth on two keys plays, completing a 22-yard pass to Jerheme Urban, and a 12-yard strike to Steve Breaston. Then, Leonard Pope was wide open over the middle, an area vacated by Paymah, and the third-year tight end from Georgia grabbed a 17-yard touchdown strike from Leinart.

That put the Cardinals into a 7-3 lead, but that was just an appetizer for Leinart. Down 10-7 with 2:37 remaining before halftime and taking possession on Arizona's 36, Leinart enjoyed the main course. Again, Foxworth was the subject of his attention, and the former Southern California all-American hit rookie Lance Long of Mississippi on three completions on the drive, all in front of Foxworth.

The drive culminated when J.J. Arrington bolted up the middle for a 28-yard touchdown run with 1:28 before intermission, giving Arizona a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Leinart completed 10-for-14 passing for a quarter of work for 177 yards with one scoring strike. He then called it a night.

If Leinart is to regain his starting job, he might consider sending "thank you" notes to Foxworth and Paymah. Their soft play on the corners and vulnerability in the middle opened too many opportunities, and could not have come at a better time for Leinart.

Then again, Leinart was a desperate man in a desperate situation, and he took full advantage.

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