Of quarterbacks and pass rushers

The Vikings spent this week preparing to face either Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart and also a top-notch defensive lineman.

By judd zulgad

December 5, 2009 at 9:08PM

PHOENIX -- Although Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has said it will be a game-time decision whether Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart starts at quarterback on Sunday night, the expectation at this point is that Warner will be good to go after missing last weekend's game against Tennessee because of a concussion.

Nonetheless, the Vikings had to spend the week preparing to face either QB. The interesting thing is that Warner throws the ball righthanded and Leinart delivers it from the left side. So how much extra preparation had to be done? For instance, if Warner gets the start, you would think the Vikings might want to adjust their blitz packages a bit because rushing from his blindside would be different than setting up a rush from Leinart's blindside.

But Vikings coach Brad Childress said Friday the factors that go into such decisions run deeper than how the opposing quarterback delivers the football. "Really, it's more driven by formationally as opposed to right side and left side," he said. "Where's the passing strength? Where's the running strength? Where's the tight end? Where are all the wide receivers? Really those things are driven more by that. Now, are you mindful of lefthanded, righthanded? Absolutely. But the blitz game usually isn't driven that way."

The fact Whisenhunt is waiting to make his decision on his quarterback isn't surprising given that the Cardinals will want to see how Warner is feeling on Sunday morning and afternoon as he recovers from his head injury. Still, I asked Childress if he felt it gave the Cardinals any advantage? In large part, the question was asked because you will recall until this year Childress had done his best to keep it quiet who would start for him at quarterback whenever there was a question about, for instance, whether it would be Tarvaris Jackson or Gus Frerotte.

"We're not losing sleep over it because we are defending the scheme more than anything," Childress said. "They don't just take all their concepts and throw them in the trash. They are calling the play for third-and-6 or first-and-10 based on what they think the defensive tendencies are not whether the guy is righthanded or lefthanded."

An interesting matchup to watch Sunday night when it comes to line play will be to see where the Cardinals' Darnell Dockett lines up. New Arizona defensive coordinator Bill Davis is using a 3-4 base scheme but will bring in a 4-3 look in passing situations. Dockett continues to be listed as a defensive tackle by the Cardinals but the reality is he ends up on the end plenty of the time in the 3-4 and Childress said film study shows they aren't afraid to move him around. Meaning one play Dockett will be on the left end, then he might go to the right side and at times he will be lined up inside.

Whatever the Cardinals are doing, it has worked. Dockett has seven sacks this season and last weekend had a career-high three vs. Tennessee. Against the Titans, it looked as if Dockett was spending plenty of time lined up at the left end, which could mean he will find himself going against right tackle Phil Loadholt and, maybe more frequently, right guard Anthony Herrera, if he returns after missing last Sunday's game because of a concussion. There is a chance Artis Hicks will get the start at right guard.

Asked about the Cardinals defense, Childress said: "It's an odd premise, with two outside linebackers and then typically [Dockett] is a 5-technique, which is the outside shade of the tackle. But it's based on where the tight end goes generally. So, he can play on the right or play on the left and then there are times when he will kick down and play over guards when they get into what we call their Double Eagle or Bear defense. He has the ability to kick inside, just like Brian Robison is a defensive end and can kick inside and give a guard fits if he wants to. How they game plan it I'm not quite sure."

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judd zulgad