Everything I’ve heard, read, and observed suggests that Matt Leinart won’t be in Arizona much longer.
And honestly? I think it might be a good thing. I adored the dude when he was at USC - he was the QB there when I was just starting to cross over from casual observer to obsessed football fan, so I’d love to see him make a switch, get a fresh start under a different coach, and start to be successful in the NFL.
Mark Schlereth said on Sportscenter today that he never really saw Leinart as an NFL starting quarterback, and maybe he’s right. He’d certain have a more informed perspective on it than I.
But I think Leinart’s issues in Arizona were more mental than anything else.
For all the talk after the ‘06 draft about how Arizona was actually a good fit for him and his personality, he was clearly not happy with falling in the draft, not happy with himself for deciding to stay at ‘SC when everyone had him headed to the NFL as a top pick, forfeiting millions of dollars for an undefeated season that culminated in a loss at the hands of Vince Young. I’m still bitter about it; I can only imagine how it must’ve impacted him.
Since he’s been at Arizona, he hasn’t had a coach he really trusts, or who’s really been supportive and motivational. I know, I know, it’s the NFL, it’s business, he needs to grow up. And he does need to grow up and mature if he’s going to have a future in the NFL, but I know firsthand how hard it is to stay optimistic and motivated when you’re in a frustrating situation and your self-confidence has taken hit after hit.
I don’t know if Matt Leinart, even with a little self-confidence and hard work and support, can be successful in the NFL. I don’t think anyone else does either, least of all him, and that’s a problem. He needs to know it and believe it and accept that it might not be as easy as he wants it to be, as it was when he was the Hollywood golden boy at USC. And if he didn’t learn that after backing up Kurt Warner for a few seasons, I’m not sure he ever will.
Maybe parting ways with the Cardinals will be a good career move for him. Maybe he’ll land on his feet somewhere else, with a different organization.
Maybe he’ll just need to find something else.
Anyone know if the boy can act? Hollywood tends to coddle its stars a little more than the NFL, and he clearly has the looks for it. Which is probably why I liked him in the first place.
