eaglechick
I'm back :)
He has a nice arm and like you say his stats are good. I like Leinart better than most, as for most it is black or white. It is often said that NFL QBs are their to make 6-8 important throws a game. Leinart is great initially in a drive, gets the ball on the 20 and moves the ball well until he gets near mid-field mid-field. Good Job, so far and that's why his stats look ok. This is the point where an NFL starter needs to make those important throws. The field is compressing, WRs are only open for 3-4 yards during their route instead of 5-6. As a QB you might have anticipate a WRs move more and throw the ball on a tight rope to get it there. At this point of field position the runners should be able to grab 5-6 yard chunks but the Cardinals running game is a little light in the loafers category when it comes to this. With Warner this is no problem, he was great enough to throw his way past this.
So, but at this point of field position, this is where the QB earns his pay with those important throws. He makes a couple of key throws keeps the drive going into the red zone. This sets him up to throw 1-2 Tds a game, which is sort of the standard, one Td this week 2 the next. Now great QBs like Peyton/ Brady etc make a dozen of these throws a game and score most likely 2 Tds a game with an occasional 3 Tds a game and a few one Td Games sprinkled in. At this spot on the field it becomes like a double failure. Lienart doesn't make enough of those important key throws and the RBs don't get chunks and set up nice 2nd and 3 situations for positive QBing. I mention this part because Anderson will face this hurdle himself if he runs the O. Lienart doesn't make enough of these throws and the one thing that I have noticed is that he will will take a couple of mind numbing sacks in this situation. It is probably his worst trait and maybe it comes from the big shadow. At mid field he tries too hard and takes a couple of sacks instead of throwing the ball away. He could toss the ball out of bounds, win the battle of field position and live to try again next series. The battle of field position is so very important. You throw a couple of balls away, stay at mid-field and pin your opponents at the ten. Hold em and they kick the ball back and you start on your 40 instead of your ten. But give up a couple of sacks at midfield and your opponents are starting at the 15-20 again. They only have to get a first down or two and you are getting the ball back on your 20 again. There are a lot more 75-80 yard scoring drives than there are 90 yard ones. Losing that ten yards with a sack can really cost you in the long run.
thanks coach! i have rarely seen him play, and have been really curious where all the hate comes in. this sounds like a reasonable explanation as to why his teammates would have problems with him and why he doesn't score.