AZ_Steeler
08-28-2006, 12:25 AM
The Cardinals got a steal this year in the draft with selecting Matt Leinart as the 10th overall pick of the draft. I personally saw this as a great opportunity for Leinart given that the Cardinals already had a somewhat "legitimate" starter at the QB spot. Leinart would now be able to come into the league and learn from an accomplished veteran, Kurt Warner, and slowly take over the offense in the desert.
Well, after holding out for the first few weeks of camp and claiming the Cardinals got lucky when he fell to the 10th pick, he felt he deserved more money than what was on the table. This didn't sit well with me especially since the rumors had surfaced that Leinarts heart wasn't really into football but more into being a movie star! I have heard Leinart could be a modern day Jim Brown and will walk away from the game to pressure a career in Hollywood. Given his agent handles more of the Hollywood type the stars seem to be lining up to support this case.
Moving forward, Leinart finally inked his deal and reported to camp just before the Cardinals were to face the Patriots. I didn't think Leinart would play after only being in camp a few days, but he proved me wrong. His first performance in preseason wasn't really very great, but he did execute a nice drive just before the half to help the Cardinals get their only 3 points of the game. His final numbers were 4/11 for 45 yards with no TD's and no INT's. These are definitely not numbers to be writing home about but seemed to be right on target missing most of preseason and showing up to camp just before leaving for New England.
Let's take a look at this past weekend against a tough Chicago defense (yes I know it's preseason so the D probably isn't all that tough at this point). Leinart entered the game late in the second half and he looked like he needed a bigger helmet because his head was already getting to big for the one he was wearing ;) Before entering the game, he told Green "Call anything!" Green did just that! Leinart did nothing but complete 15/21 (71%) for 144 yards and a TD with no INT's. Wow! He's only been in camp for less than two weeks; he shouldn't be putting these numbers up against any defense in the league yet!
So why the controversy? Leinart's numbers his first 2 games equate to 19/32 (59%) 1 TD, 0 INT's... Kurt Warner 19/33 (69%) 249, 2 TD's and 1 INT. Warner has been mediocre for the past 2-3 years and every since his thumb gave out he has never returned to his MVP form. Yes Warner has threw a couple TDs this preseason but that was more of a gimme due to a mix-up in the Steeler secondary and playing against the backups against the Steelers so they wouldn't lose their home opener in their new house. If Warner continues to throw his dead ducks and forces his receivers to come back to catch the ball, Leinart could easily move in and take over the number 1 spot. Leinart has been simply stellar and is only going to get better! If the Cardinals come out the gate and drop a few of the first five games look for Green to make a move and get their new Star in and make things happen.
The Cardinals final game of the preseason against Denver is something to watch. If Leinart comes out and tops his numbers look for an uproar from a hungry Cardinals fan base or at least from what there is of a fan base ;)
Well, after holding out for the first few weeks of camp and claiming the Cardinals got lucky when he fell to the 10th pick, he felt he deserved more money than what was on the table. This didn't sit well with me especially since the rumors had surfaced that Leinarts heart wasn't really into football but more into being a movie star! I have heard Leinart could be a modern day Jim Brown and will walk away from the game to pressure a career in Hollywood. Given his agent handles more of the Hollywood type the stars seem to be lining up to support this case.
Moving forward, Leinart finally inked his deal and reported to camp just before the Cardinals were to face the Patriots. I didn't think Leinart would play after only being in camp a few days, but he proved me wrong. His first performance in preseason wasn't really very great, but he did execute a nice drive just before the half to help the Cardinals get their only 3 points of the game. His final numbers were 4/11 for 45 yards with no TD's and no INT's. These are definitely not numbers to be writing home about but seemed to be right on target missing most of preseason and showing up to camp just before leaving for New England.
Let's take a look at this past weekend against a tough Chicago defense (yes I know it's preseason so the D probably isn't all that tough at this point). Leinart entered the game late in the second half and he looked like he needed a bigger helmet because his head was already getting to big for the one he was wearing ;) Before entering the game, he told Green "Call anything!" Green did just that! Leinart did nothing but complete 15/21 (71%) for 144 yards and a TD with no INT's. Wow! He's only been in camp for less than two weeks; he shouldn't be putting these numbers up against any defense in the league yet!
So why the controversy? Leinart's numbers his first 2 games equate to 19/32 (59%) 1 TD, 0 INT's... Kurt Warner 19/33 (69%) 249, 2 TD's and 1 INT. Warner has been mediocre for the past 2-3 years and every since his thumb gave out he has never returned to his MVP form. Yes Warner has threw a couple TDs this preseason but that was more of a gimme due to a mix-up in the Steeler secondary and playing against the backups against the Steelers so they wouldn't lose their home opener in their new house. If Warner continues to throw his dead ducks and forces his receivers to come back to catch the ball, Leinart could easily move in and take over the number 1 spot. Leinart has been simply stellar and is only going to get better! If the Cardinals come out the gate and drop a few of the first five games look for Green to make a move and get their new Star in and make things happen.
The Cardinals final game of the preseason against Denver is something to watch. If Leinart comes out and tops his numbers look for an uproar from a hungry Cardinals fan base or at least from what there is of a fan base ;)