The reporters closest to the Cardinals quarterback situation have mostly lauded how Matt Leinart has handled the latest drama, despite some initial comments that missed the big picture.
Leinart will be tougher to defend after his latest round of comments.
He said Monday he “outplayed the competition” in relation to Derek Anderson. Leinart says that off field issues, then, must be the reason he was demoted. (Whisenhunt, however, insists he hasn’t made his decision yet.)
Of course, Leinart could find out the reason he was demoted by asking Whisenhunt. The Cardinals coach has an open door policy with his players, but Leinart admits he hasn’t spoken to his coach. You can say both men are at fault for a poor relationship here, but Leinart isn’t the boss.
Instead of talking to his coach, Leinart is talking to the media. While he’s trying his best to say the right thing, Leinart is subtly complaining about his lack of opportunity, redirecting blame, and allowing divisive comments about Anderson slip out. It’s not about Anderson.
Leinart’s comments provide a small window into why Whisenhunt doubts Leinart in the first place, and why Leinart probably hasn’t asked for an explanation about his demotion.
He doesn’t want to hear the truth.