Matt Leinart

[azherfer]

Got to see/meet him yesterday at the Arizona Cardinals Fanfest. How this guy made it past nine other teams is a mystery. I know teams questioned his arm strength, but from what I witnessed yesterday, he is gonna make some teams regret their decision. Throws a beautiful high ball with a tight spiral, and with little or no work with Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, et al, was telegraphing passes. Reminds me a lot of a young Steve Young.

On another note, he's dating Paris Hilton, and while I really don't care much for her, ESPN had her do a draft diary and I gotta admit, she is funny.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...t&lid=tab5pos1

[Marathon]

I agree with you, David. I think his stock fell for two reasons: one, people looked at Vince Young and were impressed by what a great athlete he is, and two, people looked at what a phenomenal back Reggie Bush is, and thought that maybe he was the reason USC was so good. Although I will not argue that he is an absolutely spectacular athlete, I do not think that the Vince Young-type quarterback is the one who will lead you to the SuperBowl. Until I am proven wrong, I will continue to believe that having a quarterback who is too quick to run (and therefore ends up being one of the leading rushers on your team) is not going to lead you to the promised land. Give me a pocket passer any day of the week. It's a bonus if he's got good feet, but only good enough to let him get away from the rush and get a pass off; not good enough to inspire him to take off down the field as soon as he can't hit his primary receiver.

[zamco17]

Im in no way a cardinal fan, but this pick was a steal at no 10. I honestly hope hes not playing when my team plays the cardinals.

[StudentSmoker]

Originally Posted by Marathon

I agree with you, David. I think his stock fell for two reasons: one, people looked at Vince Young and were impressed by what a great athlete he is, and two, people looked at what a phenomenal back Reggie Bush is, and thought that maybe he was the reason USC was so good. Although I will not argue that he is an absolutely spectacular athlete, I do not think that the Vince Young-type quarterback is the one who will lead you to the SuperBowl. Until I am proven wrong, I will continue to believe that having a quarterback who is too quick to run (and therefore ends up being one of the leading rushers on your team) is not going to lead you to the promised land. Give me a pocket passer any day of the week. It's a bonus if he's got good feet, but only good enough to let him get away from the rush and get a pass off; not good enough to inspire him to take off down the field as soon as he can't hit his primary receiver.

Agreed. Plus, the press keeps slamming him for falling soooo far. I thought just being drafted in the first round was an accomplishment. He gets to stay in the southwest and is surrounded by offensive weapons. They have Boldin, Fitzgerald, James, and they also drafted Leonard Pope at tight end and one of his OL from USC. Not to mention he will learn the system under a Super Bowl champion QB. All in all I think he may have gotten one of the best deals in the overall draft, maybe not the huge signing bonus, but definately a team with incredible potential.

[doctorcue]

Yes, Matt will end up being fine. If anything, that is the place you want to be. All the weapons, Super Bowl QB mentor, offensive minded head coach, & a brand new stadium with tickets selling quickly. I think he shouldn't be rushed in, but if Warner gets broken again, look for Leinart to show up. Jets, Saints, & whomever else who needed a QB... get the kleenex ready.

[gw-smith]

If he's putting it to Paris Hilton - life ain't all bad for the guy I'm not a huge fan (don't like the whole SoCal program really) but I wish him the best of luck in the pros.

[colgate]

Originally Posted by azherfer

On another note, he's dating Paris Hilton, and while I really don't care much for her, ESPN had her do a draft diary and I gotta admit, she is funny.

Leinart's World

[SigEpGF]

We can find many examples of complete airheads in professional sports.

The biggest one probably being Manny Ramirez. Hmm.. Seems like he's done well for himself.

[Wetterhorn]

Originally Posted by azherfer

Reminds me a lot of a young Steve Young.
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I think the Cardinals got a steal, but Steve Young? I would like to read your rationale for this comparrison. Leinart does not have near the mobility nor running ability that Young had - even when he was an older QB.

Just my humble opinion...

But I would still like to see yours!

[azherfer]

Originally Posted by Wetterhorn

I think the Cardinals got a steal, but Steve Young? I would like to read your rationale for this comparrison. Leinart does not have near the mobility nor running ability that Young had - even when he was an older QB.

Just my humble opinion...

But I would still like to see yours!

Purely on being a lefty, good looking guy, exceptionally smart on his reads, and a good pocket passer.

I hope, unlike Young, who learned to scramble in fear of his life behind some horrid o-lines in his early days, that Leinart doesn't have to run. But I think like Young, he could be a smart scrambler, he seems to be a good athlete, and he plays hard.

Either way, he was a steal at 10 and with Warner always getting hurt, I expect he will be starting before the season is over.

[ATLHARP]

Originally Posted by azherfer

On another note, he's dating Paris Hilton, and while I really don't care much for her, ESPN had her do a draft diary and I gotta admit, she is funny.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...t&lid=tab5pos1

That's it, he's screwed!! I predict she will be like Kim Basinger in "The Natural". When he throws 5 interceptions in one game you will know why.......


Hey the good news is at least you will be first in the draft next year!!

just kidding- I think Leinart will be a great QB......Arizona does a have a good shot at the playoffs. By the way: Go Steelers!!


ATL

[Wetterhorn]

Originally Posted by azherfer

Purely on being a lefty, good looking guy, exceptionally smart on his reads, and a good pocket passer.

I hope, unlike Young, who learned to scramble in fear of his life behind some horrid o-lines in his early days, that Leinart doesn't have to run. But I think like Young, he could be a smart scrambler, he seems to be a good athlete, and he plays hard.

Either way, he was a steal at 10 and with Warner always getting hurt, I expect he will be starting before the season is over.

Young was a running QB right out of college. Get this for a senior season: He passed for 3,902 yards and 33 touchdowns in the regular season, and his 71.3% completion percentage set an NCAA single-season record. He also contributed 544 rushing yards on the ground.

Young went on to rush for 4239 yards on 722 attempts and 43 TDs in the NFL! Man, what a QB!

If Leinart even approaches Young's fabulous career, call Canton!

My team, the Broncos, were reportedly after Leinart and tried to trade up with Buffalo (who had one of the worst drafts in recent memory!), but the Bills declined. Denver settled on Jay Cutler. It will be interesting to see how Leinart and Cutler develop - Leinart will probably be rushed into playing and Cutler will be able to sit and learn. Either method may or may not work - see Pittsburgh for an example of rushing a QB. But it will be interesting seeing both of these guys develop.

I also think both of these QBs will be better than Vince Young. I've already been reading how raw Young really is!

[azherfer]

Well, didn't realize Young had run that much in college. Obviously that comparison was wrong.

As to Cutler, I think Plummer will be on a very short leash. As a long time Cardinals fan, Jake just made stupid mistakes when it was crunch time. The Broncos loaded up with some big guns for another Super Bowl run, but I can't see Plummer getting it done. And I don't think they made that many trades to end up getting Cutler, to have him sit on the bench. Should be an interesting season.

[Wetterhorn]

Originally Posted by azherfer

Well, didn't realize Young had run that much in college. Obviously that comparison was wrong.

As to Cutler, I think Plummer will be on a very short leash. As a long time Cardinals fan, Jake just made stupid mistakes when it was crunch time. The Broncos loaded up with some big guns for another Super Bowl run, but I can't see Plummer getting it done. And I don't think they made that many trades to end up getting Cutler, to have him sit on the bench. Should be an interesting season.

Being a Colorado State fan and watching WAC football during Young's era, I knew he could run and pass. Unreal college QB and BYU was a great team back then. Young even finished second in the Heisman voting to Mike Rozier.

Your analysis of Plummer is right on, but I can't see Mike Shanahan turning the reigns over to a rookie QB. I think Cutler was an investment in the future, although that future might be pretty quick, like in 2007. But I think 2006 is Plummer's year - he better deliver if he wants to keep his job.