National Football League

Leinart on the spot in Arizona's NFC West defense

Published Aug. 24, 2010 6:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

Read any analysis of the NFC West and two words are used to describe why the Arizona Cardinals won't win a third consecutive NFC West title: Matt Leinart.

In the shadow of Kurt Warner's remarkable legacy of lifting this downtrodden franchise to NFL success, Leinart steps in as a polarizing figure, even to Cardinals fans. Every mistake is magnified, even the slightest misstep compared unfavorably to his saintly predecessor, who retired after leading Arizona to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Entering his sixth pro season, the former Heisman Trophy winner knows he already has been written off by some as an NFL bust.

''I've dealt with so much and so much criticism that it really doesn't bother me what people say about me any more,'' Leinart said. ''I just think I've got to let my play do the talking. I'm confident in my ability to do that.''

He reminds everyone that it wasn't all that long ago that Warner was the villain.

''The funny thing is I remember my rookie year Kurt was getting booed off the field, when I came in and started,'' Leinart said. ''Then, now look what happened in the last three years. As a quarterback, it doesn't matter who you are, it's going to happen. Even if you're playing well, there's people who don't like you, there's people who don't want to see you succeed. Big deal. I don't really care.''

He admired Warner for having the same kind of attitude through a career that saw him benched repeatedly only to rise again.

''He even texted me before camp,'' Leinart said. ''He's like, 'Don't let one bad game, don't let anyone else define you. You move on to the next day, you move on to the next play.' That's this position, that's what being in this position is about. You're going to take a lot of heat. You get a lot of glory, but you get a lot of heat, too.''

Coach Ken Whisenhunt remains firmly behind Leinart, although the team brought in strong-armed but erratic Derek Anderson as an alternative.

''What really ultimately Matt's going to be judged by is how he plays,'' Whisenhunt said. ''... I think Matt's aware of that. I think he's comfortable with that, a lot more comfortable with that than maybe he was four years ago, in the way he's grown.''

Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh and said when he came to Arizona he wanted a Steelers-style tough, run-oriented style. But he altered his philosophy to fit the talent at hand and the result was a stunning run to the Super Bowl in the 2009 season, followed by another run to the playoffs and a postseason victory last year.

With the uncertainty at quarterback, expect Arizona to rely on the run more behind the 1-2 punch of Tim Hightower and explosive second-year pro Beanie Wells.

The quarterback gets all the attention, but there are other personnel changes that could be just as significant for Arizona.

Assistant coach and recent Hall of Fame inductee Russ Grimm must hone a reshuffled offensive line that includes free agent signee Alan Faneca at left guard. Levi Brown has been shifted from right tackle to left tackle and Reggie Wells from left guard to right guard. Untested third-year pro Brandon Keith is the right tackle.

Tough wide receiver Anquan Boldin finally got his wish to be traded, but Arizona has talented Steve Breaston to fill in. Four-time Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald has a sprained right knee but expects to be ready for the regular season opener.

The defense had been improved until it allowed 90 points in two playoff games, then the unit lost big-play linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Antrel Rolle to free agency.

The Cardinals brought in 11-year veteran Joey Porter and his 92 career sacks to be reunited with former Steelers and Colorado State teammate Clark Haggans at outside linebacker.

Inside linebacker is a big question mark. Whisenhunt has praised the preseason performance of free acquisition Paris Lenon. With Gerald Hayes recovering from back surgery, second-round draft pick Daryl Washington has had an impressive early showing.

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made the Pro Bowl in his second season but the other side is the problem. Second-year pro Greg Toler and free agent Trumaine McBride are fighting for the job. At safety, Adrian Wilson is the rock of the defense, with ex-New York Jets safety Kelly Rhodes joining him.

Whisenhunt, with a big new contract, has not had a losing season in his three years with Arizona, and that's saying something for a franchise that, before his arrival, had just one winning season since coming to Arizona in 1988. The Cardinals went 8-8 in 2007, 9-7 (and on to the Super Bowl) in 2008 and 10-6 in 2009.

From the opening of camp, the intense Dockett has repeatedly talked about how the San Francisco 49ers seem to think they are the heir-apparent to Arizona. It's a perception that helped motivate the Cardinals in an intense training camp.

There is a swagger in this franchise now, a confidence that has been bred by the calm, steady leadership of Whisenhunt.

''People can have their opinion but we know what's important here. We know what we believe,'' Hightower said. ''We have confidence. We know what we have to do. We know what it takes to win. Whether it's special teams, offense or defense, we're going to show up.

''It's our division. You can write that down.''