The big winner in Matt Leinart’s exodus from Arizona could be undrafted rookie Max Hall. The big loser also could be the Cardinals.

The team is one injury to starter Derek Anderson away from finding out exactly what they have in Hall, at the same time finding out if Ken Whisenhunt’s gut call was the right one.

Whisenhunt has made the decision to enter the season with Anderson, Hall and fellow rookie John Skelton as his three quarterbacks and won’t chase a veteran, Darren Urban reports.

By the accounts from the local media, Hall has been impressive since his first day with the Cardinals. There are myriad reasons that Leinart’s tenure in Arizona is over, but chief among them was his inability to win over teammates as a leader — intangibles that seem to be among Hall’s strengths. Kent Somers notes that coaches like Hall’s toughness and he doesn’t lack the confidence he belongs. Columnist Paola Boivin mentions Hall’s confidence, swagger and a tendency to speak his mind, which Whisenhunt respects.

Putting that much faith in two rookies is a calculated risk, but Whisenhunt is comfortable with Hall.

“Max has played consistently well throughout the preseason and practice,” Whisenhunt said. “I understand that the dynamic with regular-season defenses and regular-season games are different, but I am as comfortable as I can be with a rookie as our backup quarterback.”

We’ll see just how comfortable.

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