NFL Free Agency 2011: 5 Teams That Should Take a Look at Matt Leinart

NFL Free Agency is just around the corner with both NFL owners and players optimistic about getting a new Collective Bargaining Agreement done by early July.

That's exciting news because the speculation we've come up with for the past four months will finally be relevant (and so will we!), meaning we can get back to talking about free agency speculation without being tentative.

Of course, one of these free agents is Matt Leinart, the 2006 NFL Draftee who—like every other 2006 NFL Draftee—has yet to live up to the hype he promised when he was first drafted.

During his time in the NFL, Leinart has been quite the party animal, leading to issues about his character. He compounded that by saying he "paid his dues" and is "ready to be a starter."

The consensus is Matt Leinart is still terrifically gifted. His arm hasn't been laying in a sling, and he hasn't actually been out of football for the past few years.

So as you expect, teams are going to be interested in him.

But which ones?

Don't stress, reader. We have five of them here for you.

Click away. 

Oakland Raiders

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: New Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson pauses as he speaks to reporters during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired

The Oakland Raiders could use a bit of help at quarterback because Jason Campbell wasn't exactly the Raiders' savior last season.

Matt Leinart would have a ton of speedy receivers at his disposal; both Jacoby Ford and (widely-considered bust) Darrius Heyward-Bey are athletic as hell, and at least one of them (Ford) can make plays on the ball consistently.

The Raiders also have a solid running game, which should relieve Leinart.

Oakland has been lacking a good quarterback since Rich Gannon retired nearly a decade ago. Now that they have a decent offensive unit,—thanks to a power rushing attack that ranked second in the NFL—adding a talented quarterback would bolster their unit. 

Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: (L-R) Quarterback Chad Henne #7, coach Tony Sparano and running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins look on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by

There's a huge debate among Miami Dolphins' fans (DolFans!) about Chad Henne's future with the team. And while I've taken a stance on the subject,—give him a year!—there are some who think Henne shouldn't be the Dolphins' starting quarterback in 2011.

If management agrees, Matt Leinart could be the best fit in South Beach.

Leinart won't be expensive; he hasn't put up great numbers,—or, uh, any numbers at all—so it'd make no sense for him to demand starter's money.

Additionally, if Leinart has matured as much as he says he has, then the Dolphins are ready to start winning now. Last season, they ranked as one of the top defenses in the league, while their offensive line didn't look too shabby. Add in the pieces that GM Jeff Ireland picked up in the draft, and you could see a revamped offense.  

Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by

The Washington Redskins always seem to be one step away from making the playoffs.

Unbelievably, this might be true. 

The Redskins were plagued last season by their lack of, um, everything. 

The 'Skins already have a talented air attack, bolstered by Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. Matt Leinart fits, especially if the 'Skins are considering going after a quarterback—like Carson Palmer or Kevin Kolb—via trade.

Again, Leinart comes cheap, and if he's trained/coached properly, he can start producing like the star he was supposed to be.

Of course, he could also be given a ton of money to do nothing. Dan Snyder has a history.  

Buffalo Bills

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Brian Brohm #4 and C.J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills run a play against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills saw Ryan Fitzpatrick flourish last season, putting up 23 touchdowns to just 15 interceptions and 3,000 yards. 

However, nothing's set in stone up in Buffalo. 

Matt Leinart would be paired with a decent offensive scour of talent around him; Stevie Johnson and Lee Evans are skilled receivers who can play the deep ball, and Leinart definitely has the arm to get it to them. 

The Bills are far from building something special, but adding Leinart—if he gets his act together—could be a good start. 

San Francisco 49ers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers goes under center against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers are about a decent quarterback away from making a solid playoff run. 

Although Jim Harbaugh apparently digs what Alex Smith is throwing down, and Colin Kaepernick is going to be competing with Smith, adding Leinart would give that team more depth at quarterback and further competition.

There are a lot of reasons as to why Leinart could be a Niner; Harbaugh would be a sound coach for him, and it could kick-start Leinart's career, which has been stagnant since his time at USC.

Regardless, this would be a solid option for both sides if Leinart is cool with competing for a starting job.