Did the Arizona Cardinals Try to Acquire Matt Hasselbeck?
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Earlier this week, Steve Kelley from the Seattle Times mentioned an interesting hypothetical during an interview on a Seattle radio station.
While discussing Seattle’s quarterback situation, Kelley admitted he lacks confidence. He doesn’t believe Matt Hasselbeck can stay healthy for an entire season, and he doubts Charlie Whitehurst’s potential as an NFL starter.
According to Kelley, we’re closer to the end of the Hasselbeck era in Seattle than most think. He believes Whitehurst will become Seattle’s starting quarterback this season when Hasselbeck suffers some sort of injury.
And once Whitehurst takes the job, Kelley thinks there will be no turning back. Hasselbeck’s days will be numbered.
Most of you probably agree with Kelley. You may not be optimistic, but you’re assuming everything will pan out in a similar fashion.
At one point during the segment, Kelley mentioned something interesting about Hasselbeck. Trying to support his opinion that the end of Hasselbeck is near, he mentioned a possible trade scenario between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
The trade scenario, which is most likely only hypothetical, has Matt Hasselbeck going to Arizona in exchange for Matt Leinart.
“I think they went after Matt Hasselbeck and offered Matt Leinart in return. I think that trade was discussed. And I don’t know who turned it down,” Kelley said earlier this week. “I have a feeling that maybe the Seahawks were shopping Matt Hasselbeck. That’s just a guess, I don’t know.”
Of course, feelings are a lot different than confirmed sources. And later in the interview Steve Kelley admitted that it isn’t something he would have written; a rumormonger on radio is more acceptable than a fraud in print.
But what if any part of this hypothetical deal is true? What if the Seahawks were shopping Matt Hasselbeck? And what if the Arizona Cardinals offered Matt Leinart?
On the surface, the deal makes some sense.
Matt Hasselbeck is a veteran quarterback who can still win with talent around him. Kurt Warner just retired and Arizona doesn’t have a proven starter at quarterback without him. With Matt Hasselbeck in Arizona, the Cardinals might have enough to make another run at the postseason.
The Seahawks are rebuilding, and Matt Hasselbeck is probably finished after this season. If the team is committed to the future, then Hasselbeck isn’t the answer. And Matt Leinart, although unproven, did play for Pete Carroll at Southern California.
Without confirmed reports, however, it is just another fun rumor to talk about.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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