04/24/24
September 01, 2010
Cardinals Shopping Leinart Around: The Arizona Cardinals have begun calling teams with quarterback needs to gauge interest in Matt Leinart, the former first-round pick and Heisman Trophy winner at U.S.C. who has failed on numerous occasions to seize the Cardinals’ starting job. He now appears to have been supplanted by Derek Anderson, who was released by the Cleveland Browns in the off-season.
jc, what do you have against the Argonauts ?
posted by tommybiden at 06:00 PM on September 01, 2010
A left-handed backup QB is a tough sell, I'm guessing. You go in there due to a starter injury and they would have to juggle the OL assignments. You'd have to be at least as good as Brunell to make it worth it.
(I guess Vick is currently #2 on the depth chart in Phila.)
It would be great if Warner came back for just one more year with the Ariz. offense, but wishful thinking there. With a guy of his principles, no more really does mean no more. It's refreshing, in a way.
posted by beaverboard at 06:22 PM on September 01, 2010
I'm thinking LA (Oakland), unless the NFL comes up with a Las Vegas franchise quickly, though Raiders are apparently denying any interest. Leinart's biggest problem seems to be a sense of entitlement.
posted by graymatters at 06:35 PM on September 01, 2010
It would be great if Warner came back for just one more year with the Ariz. offense, but wishful thinking there. With a guy of his principles, no more really does mean no more. It's refreshing, in a way.
He's moved on to Dancing With the Stars.
posted by bperk at 07:37 PM on September 01, 2010
doesn't he have like a +100 QB rating? Not that it means much, but there's got to be plenty of NFL teams interested in him as a backup. He did alright in spot relief against the Titans last year in a similar circumstance (lost on a last minute 99 yard drive).
posted by bdaddy at 09:56 PM on September 01, 2010
tommytrump, just a loyal Saskatchewan Roughrider fan here.
Seriously, I have heard all of the comparisons to David Carr but Carr seemed to be comfortable being a backup and Leinhart seems to think his 8 mediocre starts makes him a starter in the NFL, which puts him only slightly ahead of Gary Kubiak as a starting QB.
posted by jc at 11:05 PM on September 01, 2010
He'll always have college...
posted by justgary at 11:21 PM on September 01, 2010
As time goes on, his college career gets less distinguished as they take championships and awards away from his team.
posted by bperk at 07:06 AM on September 02, 2010
To play devil's advocate a bit, how many quarterbacks have proven themselves as viable long-term starters in just 8 starts? I know there are a few, but in my opinion a quarterback's success is deeply contingent on the system & the level of commitment shown by their franchise. Can anyone honestly say that Arizona has shown a serious sustained commitment to Leinart? Maybe, but i am a bit unconvinced.
I'm not a fan of Leinart's, USC, Cardinals, etc. Just think that maybe Leinart does have a point when he feels like he is not being given a fair shake.
posted by brainofdtrain at 10:51 AM on September 02, 2010
Unfortunately for Leinart, the NFL is not a place you go for a fair shake. It's a brutal and ruthless business. Players often get one chance to show what they can do and that's it. It doesn't help him that he isn't playing for the coach that drafted him. But, how bad can you feel for Leinart when he can't seem to be out old man Warner and Derek Anderson for a starting job?
posted by bperk at 11:15 AM on September 02, 2010
Fair point on Anderson bperk, but no shame in being beat out by Warner-he would start for most teams if he came back tomorrow.
posted by brainofdtrain at 07:16 PM on September 03, 2010
Boom! Leinart cut, wonder if Steelers grab him and cut or put Leftwich on IR.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:15 PM on September 04, 2010
He'll be playing for the Toronto Argonauts by the 2012 season.