Why Matt Leinart hasn't hit the NFL yet

   He was a college star. He went to the Championship game with the USC Trojans, undefeated and a offensive power. He went alongside his fellow senior Reggie Bush into the final game of the season. They lost, but that wasn't the end for Matt or Reggie. They were suppose to be the first picks of the 2006 draft. It was suppose to be one of the best NFL drafts ever.

     It didn't work out. Reggie Bush was picked second by the New Orleans Saints. He got what he wanted. Matt Leinart did not. He sat there for what felt like hours. He wasn't until a shocking 10th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. This began the career that still hasn't gotten easy.

      Leinart's first season with the Arizona Cardinals was one that was building him as a NFL player. Matt Leinart was to be helped by Kurt Warner, the veteran who had been around since 1995. The first season Leinart was given the head of the team, he got 11 starts. Kurt Warner got five starts when they felt it right. Even though the team gave him so much playing time in 2006, the franchise didn't trust Leinart though. He wasn't taking the game seriously. He was out partying every Friday and wasn't doing the extra work that a rookie trying to get more games do. He had more interceptions than touchdowns, with the ratio at 11 to 12. He didn't read the defense well. The Cardinals weren't impressed, and during the off season there was a quarterback conflict.

     Kurt Warner won the job. Leinart wasn't ready to take his job serious. He did get 5 starts, but Warner got all 11 other starts. Once again, in Leinarts five starts he wasn't playing smart. He got only two touchdowns compared to his 4 interceptions. His passing rate was only 61.9. For the second season he wasn't ready to become a leader, he was just THERE. The offseason came and the questions continued.

   This summer was different. Matt was ready now, as he said to many reporters. He understood the NFL now, and he was ready to become a leader. The off season was non stop work for him, but clearly not enough. Kurt Warner won the job for the team. For the third year, the quarterback of the Future wasn't ready.

     This year Leinart only has two passing attempts. This seems to be going well for the team though, as they lead the division. Warner has a average passing rate of 111.7. He already has six touchdowns. So the question is, will Leinart ever be ready? Will he always just be the quarterback of the future? Is Arizona just not giving him a chance? You can decide that, and feel free to tell me. Right now all I can tell Matt is, you better work hard.

See you soon

      -Tom