Everybody Agrees: Leinart Has Matured

When the Cardinals drafted Matt Leinart 10th overall in the 2006 draft, just about everybody thought it was a perfect marriage. Arizona, the perpetual dark-horse candidate, finally had a franchise quarterback; Leinart, who had excelled in a pro-style offense at USC, was experienced beyond his years and it would only be a matter of time before he assumed the full-time job.

It didn't quite work out like that -- Leinart started 11 games as a rookie and held his own, but he only had five starts in 2007, and spent all of last season watching Kurt Warner lead Arizona to the Super Bowl. Part of the problem was that Leinart struggled with the offense, but there were bigger concerns with his maturity.

But after some off-field missteps (Nick Lachey, beer-bongin' co-eds), and perhaps sideline introspection, Leinart has recommitted himself to his job. At the Super Bowl, he said that "I can be a distraction and be all mad and point the finger, or I can be a good teammate and support Kurt and still work my butt off and prepare every day like I'm the starting quarterback."

Last month, head coach Ken Whisenhunt commented on his backup quarterback's maturity, and yesterday, AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban echoed those sentiments:

What has struck me about Leinart is how much he has grown up, at least from what I can tell. I've been around him since he entered the league; there is little question there was part of him that probably needed to be humbled. He had the world by the tail in college. Who wouldn't revel in that? But the roller coaster his NFL career has traveled upon has changed him, as has fatherhood and, simply, getting older. Hanging around Kurt Warner – and watching how Kurt has dealt with his own ups and downs – probably helped too.

When Leinart's not giving back, he's taking his job seriously. And that can't be overstated since Warner won't play forever. In fact, at 37, he might not make it through the 2009 season.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-21-2009 @ 12:49PM

geraldr5 said...

Leinart is a good guy who has what it takes. Okay, so he lost his head a little. Who in their right mind wouldn't after his star-studded college career. Now it's time for him to settle down and live up to his potential. My best guess is that he'll do it, as a man and as a quarterback.

6-21-2009 @ 1:14PM

horatiowrd said...

....Matt Leinart started 11 games and "held his own"...before losing his job to a QB who eventually took the offense to one of the best in the league with no major offense talent aquistion.

Vince Young won Rookie of the Year and is considered a bust.

its easy to mature in an enviroment where ppl support you inspite of your failings and theres absolutely NO risk youd ever be put to the test. When you come in with ppl saying your a bust, inspite of your success, and then told its your fault you cant win back your position on a team thats defense first from a guy whose stats arent even that much better than you, yea you might end up a pouting jackass who wants out.

and no its not a race issue with me, I am biased against all that is USC thank you very much.

6-21-2009 @ 2:13PM

billyp01 said...

horatiowrd you need a waaahmburger..and some french cries

6-21-2009 @ 3:15PM

HardHat said...

Sorry, but Leinart truly is a bust.

In his most recent season as a starter (2007), he only posted the worst passer rating in the NFL (61.9), averaged 0.4 TD's per game, tossed 2 INT's for every TD, and threw for the fewest yards per game (129) despite having three excellent wide receivers (Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston).

That's why he was benched.

And after he was benched, he cried to the media in 2007 (Michael Silver) and when he lost his job again in 2008 he pouted on the bench all season and disengaged from his coaches and teammates.

And his replacement, Kurt Warner, rewrote the Arizona Cardinal record books and took the team to the Super Bowl all the while averaging almost 300 yards and 3 TD's per game.

Leinart doesn't have the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. Despite Warner's advancing age, he's much quicker than Leinart, has a much stronger and more accurate arm, and has much better field vision.

Leinart also lacks the mental tools, as well. He has a chronic lack of maturity and lacks the capacity to master an NFL playbook.

Fortunately, Whisenhunt seems ready to dump the bum. He's already given 3rd string QB Brian St. Pierre a raise and promised him an equal shot at Leinart's #2 job.

Buh Bye, Matty Boi.

6-22-2009 @ 12:41AM

1usctrojan said...

Oh, the jealous little fanboy hardhat, following every Leinart story with your worthless, repetitive hate. You are one sick dog, get over it, Matt will end up a great QB, rather he does it on another team or the Cardinals, who cares.

6-21-2009 @ 6:31PM

nickstoli said...

IF Leinart's serious about being a great NFL QB, he will be one. Sounds like he's dropping his desire to be football's Paris Hilton and is working his butt off. Good for him.

He's got the two things every QB needs to be successful: pocket poise and accuracy. Now that he appears dedicated to the sport...watch out!

6-22-2009 @ 8:14AM

Havok said...

Maybe he decided to be serious as a football player because he realized he won't make it to the big screen.

6-22-2009 @ 11:23AM

Football University said...

It's time for Leinart to step it up and get the mentality of a pro. It's a shame for someone with such talent to be missing out on an amazing opportunity because he's not mature enough to handle the fame of the NFL.

6-22-2009 @ 1:13PM

Leinart is finished in the NFL.

At the most, he's the 3rd best QB on the Arizona Cardinals' roster (and that's probably being charitable).

And after the Cardinals cut him (probably after this season), what team is going to take a chance on an uncommitted primadonna who didn't even bother to study the playbook in the last 3 seasons??

Besides there will be a whole new crop of QB's coming out of college next spring with better physical (and mental) tools.

Add in the fact that Leinart is also injury-prone (2 season-ending injuries in his last 5 sacks), and that spells the end of the NFL for ol' Matty Boi.

Matt Leinart = Ryan Leaf.