QB Matt Leinart, California Dream Over in Arizona?

In 2006, Matt Leinart waited to hear his name, to walk on the podium, shake the commissioner's hand, and take the jersey that symbolized the beginning of his NFL career. It was a relatively long wait for the former USC quarterback, as nine names were called before his. With the tenth pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals ended Leinart's wait, and selected the young QB. During his rookie season, Leinart would earn the starting QB job for the Cardinals. The California kid was on his way, his Hollywood story, seemingly writing itself.

Then, as with all good stories, conflict emerged. Leinart would lose his starting job, as the ageless Kurt Warner rediscovered his form, sending Leinart to the bench, where he remained, until Warner retired last season. Though Derek Anderson was acquired in the off-season, he was just insurance, because this was now Leinart's team. The young QB who came into the league with a reputation of a party boy, had matured, and was now ready to step into Kurt Warner's large, vacated shoes.

Two preseason games into the start of the new season, Leinart's title of Arizona Cardinals starting QB, was in jeopardy. Derek Anderson was appointed starter for game three of the preseason, creating a quarterback controversy. The first two preseason games, were not statistical gems by Leinart, but he did perform better in relief of Anderson, in week three. In the Cardinals third game of the preseason, Leinart was, 9-10 for 84 yards, and a touchdown. The problem Leinart faces in Arizona, I believe, is his inability to stretch the field. Like Kurt Warner before him, Derek Anderson possesses a strong arm, something Leinart does not. Maybe this is just a case of a quarterback not fitting a system.

While other former USC quarterbacks have entered the league, and become starters; Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Cassell, Matt Leinart, arguably the most celebrated of the QB's, has struggled. Watching Leinart, he often looks uncomfortable, and lacking command of the offense. There's been talk the team prefers Anderson's ability to lead the offense, and if that's the case, then it's time for Leinart to move on.

Maybe a change of scenery will revive the career of the once promising QB. With his former coach now back in the league, Leinart could've gone to Seattle, but they're set at QB for the moment. It would be Leinart's luck to land in Kansas City, or New York, backing up one of his former back-ups.

Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ainme9LijhzfYnH6EihTgEw.ubYF?slug=ap-cardinals-quarterbacks
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2010/08/28/4207_boxscore.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/index