Arizona's Whisenhunt has some work to do with Leinart

By Michael Rushton Sep 11, 2007, 22:18 GMT

- Very few had to be happier than Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart when the Cardinals named former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach in January.

However, after Monday night's 20-17 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Whisenhunt may be wondering what he got himself into.

That's probably an overstatement, given Leinart's college success and current upside, but it still isn't going to be easy for Whisenhunt, who turned a rookie named Ben Roethlisberger into one of the league's premier quarterbacks in 2004. That duo teamed up to win 'Big Ben's' first 13 career starts as well as a Super Bowl victory the following year.

Leinart threw for only 102 yards on 14-of-28 passing in Monday's loss. He threw a go-ahead touchdown to Anquan Boldin with 6:40 left to play, but an Arizona defense that bent a lot in the game, finally broke down the home stretch.

'I was very disappointed with the way I played,' Leinart said. 'I've got to get better. We play San Francisco again later this year and I can't afford to play like this again if we are to win. It starts with me.'

The former USC signal-caller also finished the game the way he began it, by throwing an interception.

While he isn't a mobile quarterback, Leinart looked very uncomfortable when he was forced to move out of the pocket, something other clubs will surely pick up on. He also said he struggled to get his find his rhythm.

'I started off the game a little antsy but I was able to settle down in the second half,' he said. 'When you're struggling with the passing game like we were, they're able to put more men in the box to stop the run.'

Another alarming factor was Leinart's performance given the fact that Arizona was able to establish the run on Monday night. While running back Edgerrin James struggled a lot last year, often allowing opposing defenses to sit on the pass, he rushed for 92 yards and a score against the 49ers. James got help from an upgraded offensive line that featured Levi Brown, the fifth overall pick back in April, starting at right tackle.

Whisenhunt, meanwhile, isn't ready to place the blame on Leinart just yet.

'I was disappointed that we didn't play better offensively,' the new head coach said. 'I thought we ran the football in spurts at times pretty good. But one of the things that I thought we had been good at was throwing the football. Until I see the film, I don't know if there were guys open and we just missed it, or (the 49ers) did a good job of covering us and just shut us down.'

If Whisenhunt can't turn Leinart around, he could always call his quarterback's new commercial buddy, Archie Manning.

DEFENSE HOLDS ITS OWN...ALMOST

Arizona limited Alex Smith and the 49ers' offense to just 194 net yards. Smith passed for 126 yards, while the NFC's leading rusher last year, Frank Gore, managed just 55 yards on the ground with a score.

'Defense played good the whole game,' said Whisenhunt. 'Offensively we put them in some bad situations, especially with the first play and the interception, but they hung in there even with the awful start by us offensively. Defense kept us in the game.'

Linebacker Karlos Dansby led the team with 11 total tackles to go along with a quarterback hit and forced fumble. Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson added 10 total tackles, while Terrence Holt forced a fumble that almost sealed a win for Arizona.

With the Cardinals up 17-13, San Francisco's Arnaz Battle hauled in a 22-yard pass and raced towards the end zone, only to have Holt pop the ball loose. However, the 49ers recovered the fumble at the one-yard line with 26 seconds left. Battle then scored on an end around to give his club the win.

'We came after Alex Smith tonight,' said Dansby. 'We thought we could rattle him. We did a couple of times, but he deserves credit for coming through on that final drive.'

WOUNDED CARDS

The Cardinals are starting to get thin at center. With backup Nick Leckey already slowed by a knee injury, starter Al Johnson left Monday's game in the third quarter with a sprained knee. Johnson did not return to the game and is doubtful for this weekend.

The Cardinals might have to wait another week for 2007 second-round pick Alan Branch to make his debut. The defensive tackle was inactive against the Niners because of a hand injury and is currently questionable for Sunday.

NEXT UP: WELCOME HOME

The Cards make their 2007 University of Phoenix Stadium debut on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Arizona lost its first game against Seattle last year, its fourth straight defeat to the Seahawks, but rebounded for a home win in the second meeting to split the season series and improve to 8-8 all-time against their NFC West rivals.

Current backup quarterback Kurt Warner threw for 231 yards on 24-of-38 passing with a touchdown pass and an interception in the Cardinals' 21-10 setback to Seattle last September. He also fumbled four times and was eventually replaced by Leinart as the starter.

When the clubs clashed on December 10, Arizona picked up one of its five 2006 victories with a 27-21 win. James rushed for a game-high 115 yards and one touchdown, while Leinart threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

© 2007 The Sports Network