Matt Leinart Isn't A Bust, Yet

Matt Leinart isn't in Hollywood yet, but he sure deserves an Oscar for his acting performance.

But which performance is it? Is it the one where he acted like a good quarterback? Or possibly where he acted like he could be a starter in the NFL?

Whichever one you choose, there is one haunting fact, he's not a bust yet.

Matt Leinart showed up to spring practice chiseled, ripped you may say. After upping his weight work-outs and actually acting like he wanted to play football.

Lets sit on the fence for a little while. How hard would it be to show up to spring practice as a "franchise quarterback" knowing that you no longer are competing for the starting spot, instead your competing for the second string position!

That's correct, that wasn't a misprint. Matt Leinart, the golden boy from Southern California is competing for a back-up position.

Brian St. Pierre, the journeyman of the NFL will be challenging Leinart for the back up role behind starter Kurt Warner. Talk about pressure!

This is great for Leinart though, as hard as that is to see. Leinart has had Warner to battle with for the starting spot, and he won a couple of those battles, but he just didn't have enough flash to claim that spot.

We have to give Leinart credit though, at 26 years of age he could easily pull something his current teammate, cough Anquan Boldin cough, is pulling and that's demanding a trade.

He could be crying to his agent, or better yet crying in the press, but he's not. He's not? It's amazing to say that. My honest opinion was that Leinart would be one of those guys that demanded things, but maybe he truly understands the business aspect of things.

After all the NFL is a business. Without a doubt and Leinart is seeing how it works now. The better player plays, that's been the way it is for years.

It's a sign of maturity from someone that was seen as immature. Partying with celebrities, drinking in hot tubs with college sorority girls and showing up to random clubs in the Los Angelas area.

Leinart showed how good of a teammate he really is last year, never once complaining about playing time. Not once talking to the press about how he should be the guy. Not once trying to steal the spotlight from Warner or his other teammates. Instead he just held the clipboard and did his best cheerleader impression.

Is this the final turning point for this guy? Is he beginning to understand that he could still be something great?

"Obviously, the big question is, 'I want to play, and when is that going to happen?' " Leinart said. "But my mind-set is to remain focused and remain confident in my ability. It was never in my mind to take another path.

"I always wanted to be here, and I want to be here until I'm done playing. There's a business side to it, and everything doesn't always happen the way you want it. But my opportunity is coming, and it's on me to continue getting better and to be ready when it happens."

These quotes show me that Leinart finally knows his role on the team and the role that awaits him. That fateful day that will finally come. Warner isn't getting any younger, but at the same time Leinart no longer is either.

When Warner's two year extension is is over, Leinart will be 28. Not exactly a great age to start over. Not saying it's impossible, after all Warner is doing it right before our eyes.

It's the will power that will drive Leinart to success. The helm will be waiting for him, he will still know the offense and will be the perfect successor to Warner. It's up to him to decide if he still wants to be great, everyone predicted it.

Is Leinart a bust? Only time will tell. He doesn't have all the time in the world left to prove himself, and by the time 2012 rolls around there will be another young quarterback entering the league looking to be a legend.

Leinart has a small window to prove he's not a bust, but more importantly to prove to himself that he was worth the first round pick and that the game didn't conquer him. So many top picks see their careers or even plan their careers before they begin and their careers result in failures. It could be because of the expectations, or it could be because some of these young men just aren't ready to perform at the highest level.

Leinart isn't a quarterback just yet, but he's not a bust either and one day soon he will be able to redeem himself and shut out the critics.

Hopefully that day will be sooner than we think.

If that day never comes, we'll have his Oscar ready.

Quotes provided by:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2009/05/21/20090521bickley0521.html