NFL Picks – Leinart Trade Rumors Heat Up Cardinals

The last game of the preseason is your last chance to get warmed up for your regular season NFL Picks, but it is also the last chance for many guys to make an impression before final cuts are made. Both the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Redskins have some tough decisions ahead, none bigger than what to do with disgruntled quarterback, Matt Leinart. There are rumours flying all over the place as to what will happen to the former Heisman winner, but until something does happen, he’s an Arizona Cardinal and he will have to suit up and play.

Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals (University Of Phoenix Stadium – Phoenix, AZ)

Thursday September 2nd at 10 PM ET – TV: CSN-DC, NFL Network

NFL Lines:
Washington – PS +6 (-110) ML +220
Arizona – PS -6 (-110) ML -260
Total – 37

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Heading into the preseason, Leinart appeared to be the starting quarterback, but in the much publicized move, Derek Anderson moved into the top spot after the coaching staff felt that the former USC product wasn’t getting it done. In his first game as a starter, Anderson Anderson went 7-of-12 for 94 yards with a touchdown pass. Leinart was second up and, according to the stats, outplayed the former Brown with a 9-of-10 passing effort for 84 yards with a TD.

So here we are, a week later, and still have no idea what is happening in Phoenix. Anderson is expected to start again, with Leinart coming in second, but there very well could be a deal done to ship him out before then, or he could just be handed the starting job right back. I’m going with the prior as it appears that relationship has soured, and with so much interest for him, Leinart may be packing his bags before tomorrow is out. If he does go, that will change our NFL Picks Prediction a little bit, but that is only if he goes.

The Cards also have some question marks at the running back position as Beanie Wells, who was going to be looked upon as the number one guy, hasn’t played very well this preseason. He’s only got 69 yards on 25 attempts, which equates to less than three yards a carry. Tim Hightower has been the far more productive guy, rushing for 81 yards on just 17 carries, so it will be interesting to see if the depth chart changes at all in Week 1.

The Redskins have their own issues as well. Donovan McNabb hasn’t played since Week 2 of the preseason thanks to an ankle injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens. Rex Grossman was the number one in the Redskins last game against the Jets, and he looked pretty good, going 8-of-16 for 111 yards. He may not even play much as the Redskins try to evaluate who is going to be the number three guy, which will either be John Beck or Richard Bartel.

With all these questions, it’s easy to forget that we’re here to make some winning NFL Picks. I think that with so many positional battles still going on in Arizona, they’ll be the team that lays it out there a little more, looking to do that little extra. What that means for us is that when making our NFL Online Picks, the team that has more on the line is the team that should come out on top. That and the fact that this game is at home for the Cardinals, and that always makes the NFL Picks a little easier, especially in preseason.

NFL Picks: Arizona Cardinals (-260)