Three stories from Monday deserve some kind of dumbass award. All 3 involve starting QBs, all 3 involve teams that need good QB play and all 3 make you shake your head a little, okay a lot.
Story 1: Niners coach Mike Nolan claims that he wasn't criticizing Alex Smith when he said the following to Peter King of SI; “Thus far,” Nolan said, “J.T.’s been better than the other two, and there hasn’t really been much of a gray area. His play’s been better at the position than what we’ve had at any point in the last three years.” That's a pretty clear quote from Nolan and he's saying that Alex Smith hasn't been a very good starting QB and that a guy they picked up is a better starter.
But on Monday Nolan tried to backtrack from those comments. After practice Monday Nolan said that he didn’t mean any of his comments to be critical of Smith, and that what he was really saying was that all of his quarterbacks have improved. Nolan said King was confused about what was said when the two talked on the phone over the weekend.“I could answer for him, but I know what I said and I know what I was thinking," Nolan said. “I was thinking the same thing I’ve been telling you guys every day we’ve been out here.” I read Peter King every week and I may not agree with everything he writes, but one thing about King, he gets his story straight and when he quotes someone he gets it right. It seems Nolan is trying to do damage control after what he said to King especially since it involves a guy who Nolan isn't really sold on: Smith. Last year they had an ugly public battle about whether or not Nolan had confidence in Smith or not. This will only widen the rift between the coach and the former #1 overall pick.
Story 2:
The second story comes out of Arizzona; and it's a story that can only come out of Arizona. According to both coach and QB, Matt Leinart is the Cardinals #1 QB. Even after his horrible 3 interception performance against the Raiders Leinart is #1 on the QB depth chart.
"It's still the same," Leinart said Monday of his status. "Nothing has changed," coach Ken Whisenhunt echoed. But doubts linger after an ESPN report on Sunday that quoted an unnamed "team source" that not only said Kurt Warner would replace Leinart, but also criticized Leinart's performance level and arm strength. Whisenhunt indicated that he did not know the identity of the source and said he was unaware of anybody on the Cardinals staff who talked on the matter. Whisenhunt added, however, that Leinart needs to improve his level of play.
Wisenhunt reiterated that he won't make a decision "just based off of one play or one half. It's a comprehensive test. ... We're still in that process."
Leinart, asked about the "team source," said, "I've talked to the head coach. We're on the same page."
Leinart said his mistakes were more physical than mental, so they should be correctable, and that he felt well-prepared for the game. For example, he said he threw inside on a deep "go" route; the pass was intercepted.
"I never do that. But it happened.
"On one of the other plays, I got to eat (the ball) ... there was a little miscommunication, but it was my fault."
"It would be incorrect of me to ignore the fact Matt didn't play well. I think Matt understands that. He knows he has to play better than that.
"We're going to work to get better and go forward."
Leinart is listed as No.1 on the depth chart for the team's final exhibition game, at home at 7 p.m. Friday against Denver.
"Obviously, I've got to play better," Leinart said.
"I'm not particularly worried about anything except just focusing on getting better. I've taken a lot of heat for whatever reasons. The microscope has been on my play every day, every game."
That said, "This isn't a setback. It's a learning experience."
Wisenhunt reiterated that he won't make a decision "just based off of one play or one half. It's a comprehensive test. ... We're still in that process."
Leinart, asked about the "team source," said, "I've talked to the head coach. We're on the same page."
Leinart said his mistakes were more physical than mental, so they should be correctable, and that he felt well-prepared for the game. For example, he said he threw inside on a deep "go" route; the pass was intercepted.
"I never do that. But it happened.
"On one of the other plays, I got to eat (the ball) ... there was a little miscommunication, but it was my fault."
"It would be incorrect of me to ignore the fact Matt didn't play well. I think Matt understands that. He knows he has to play better than that.
"We're going to work to get better and go forward."
Leinart is listed as No.1 on the depth chart for the team's final exhibition game, at home at 7 p.m. Friday against Denver.
"Obviously, I've got to play better," Leinart said.
"I'm not particularly worried about anything except just focusing on getting better. I've taken a lot of heat for whatever reasons. The microscope has been on my play every day, every game."
That said, "This isn't a setback. It's a learning experience."
Story 3:
This one comes out of Chicago, home of the 2 backup QBs and no starting QB.
Bears quarterbackRex Grossman talked to the media after Monday’s practice, ending a week of silence after he lost the preseason quarterback battle with Kyle Orton.
“I was a little surprised, but I’ve had some time to digest it, and I’ll be ready to go,” Grossman said. “I will be ready at a moment’s notice. You never know what’s going to happen. My plan is to stay ready. My role from everyone else’s standpoint has changed, and that’s taken a little bit of time to get over. I’ll never fully get over it, and I don’t think anyone would expect me to.”
It’s a little surprising that Grossman was a little surprised. Although Bears coach Lovie Smith has always been in his corner, Grossman has played so badly that you’d think he would see his demotion to second string coming. Grossman is an unpopular man in Chicago, and the fans have booed him in both preseason games. He says he’s fine with that.
“I haven’t worried about that because I don’t control that,” he said. “I feel like I’ve a done a lot for this team over the last five years, and I’ve had some unfortunate things happen to me and some bad games.”
If Orton stays healthy and plays competently, Grossman has played his last bad game in a Bears uniform.
Bears quarterbackRex Grossman talked to the media after Monday’s practice, ending a week of silence after he lost the preseason quarterback battle with Kyle Orton.
“I was a little surprised, but I’ve had some time to digest it, and I’ll be ready to go,” Grossman said. “I will be ready at a moment’s notice. You never know what’s going to happen. My plan is to stay ready. My role from everyone else’s standpoint has changed, and that’s taken a little bit of time to get over. I’ll never fully get over it, and I don’t think anyone would expect me to.”
It’s a little surprising that Grossman was a little surprised. Although Bears coach Lovie Smith has always been in his corner, Grossman has played so badly that you’d think he would see his demotion to second string coming. Grossman is an unpopular man in Chicago, and the fans have booed him in both preseason games. He says he’s fine with that.
“I haven’t worried about that because I don’t control that,” he said. “I feel like I’ve a done a lot for this team over the last five years, and I’ve had some unfortunate things happen to me and some bad games.”
If Orton stays healthy and plays competently, Grossman has played his last bad game in a Bears uniform.
4 comments:
HEY u slammed my network LMAO!
BTW is that fricken BRETT as the naked cowboy LOL! i think i just threw up a little~
When I saw the pic on PFT, I had to use it.
my tummy hurts, thank you babe!
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