Matt Leinart Trying Prove Himself In The Desert

If you can't handle the heat, as the saying goes, you best get out of the kitchen. 

Matt Leinart has certainly been feeling a lot of heat recently, and, according to most commentators, his 2010 season could be over before it even begins. 

According to some, Leinart has just blown his last chance, and, if the rumors are to be believed, not only will the the Arizona No. 7 not be at the helm of the 2009 NFC West champions, but he may not even be a Cardinal by the time Arizona visits St Louis on September 12.

There have been tales from trading Leinart away for whatever they can get to late night begging calls to Kurt Warner. We have seen practically every cardinal QB on the roster take snaps during the first two pre-season games. In both games so far, Derek Anderson has attempted and completed more passes than Leinart, and both Rookie QBs on the roster have thrown for more yards than the more experienced Leinart.

Indeed, all signs now point to the fact that Anderson, not Leinart, will start the next pre-season game. Clearly, there are doubts internally as to whether the former Heisman Trophy winner can get the job done under center in the NFL.

And yet, I actually don't think that the situation is anywhere near as bad as it could be.

Let's not sugar coat it, he has certainly not looked brilliant this pre-season, his throws have been short, his decisions questionable, and his composure shaky at best. But at the same time, Matt Leinart has barely taken a snap in the NFL since he lost his starting position in 2006. And, it's not exactly like Anderson brings a lot more to the table. 

Sure his yards have been better, the long ball down field is all he can do, but his completion percentage has been pretty shocking, his decisions are even worse, leading to two interceptions in the first game.

I can certainly understand the fans who are praying for Kurt Warners return.

And then, I thought back to 2005, when Warner started the season with three thoroughly mediocre performances, injured himself, and lost his starting place to Josh McCown 

Or 2006, where he lost his starting position to Leinart in week four, only to regain it after Leinart injured himself in Week 16.

Or 2007, when Warner was uninspiring enough during pre-season to allow Leinart to hold onto his starting job.

And all of a sudden, I'm not quite so ready to write off Matt Leinart just yet, because, of course, we all remember what Warner did in 2008 and 2009.

For sure, Leinart has been uninspiring thus far, but so have most of the best quarterbacks in history at one time of another.

And Leinart still has four-time Pro Bowl Receiver and 2009 Pro Bowl MVP Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, who managed more than 1000 yards catching as a number three receiver in 2008; and the talented youngsters Early Doucet and Andre Roberts catching passes for him.

Leinart is also lining up behind Russ Grimm's improving offensive line, which is still adjusting to its first major changes in many years.

Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower add a genuine threat on the ground, which will certainly ease the pressure off Leinart as the season progresses.

I've always quite liked Leinart, and have always said that, given a little more time to prove himself, and do so without the constant pressure of loosing his job when he throws one interception, or fumbles one ball, he could still develop into an elite quarterback.

Don't get me wrong. I am not nearly as confident in Leinart as I would be with Kurt Warner, or even McNabb or Bulger under centre, both of whom were linked to the Cards at some point this off season, but if I have to back Leinart, or Anderson, I can't help thinking that Leinart has so much more up-side.

I could be wrong, but I certainly feel that decisions like making Anderson starter only help secure his bust status. Leinart already believes that he is a failure, and benching him creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If Coach Whisenhunt would just put a little faith in the boy, and if Leinart can just find a little more confidence in himself, and break his bad habit of favouring useless check-down passes over deeper balls to his elite receivers, I still believe that Leinart can be the franchise QB that Arizona hoped he would be.

And if not, John Skelton or Max Hall both certainly looks the real deal to me.