Pete Carroll on Matt: "I think he’s going to be a terrific player."

[cardsfanmd]

It's just weird that Petey is trying to help Kenny...

But, how about this?

Whiz, IMO, should go one step further...make a highlight tape of Matty's best plays at USC, highlighted by the incredibly clutch plays he made at Notre Dame, when he threw a picture perfect pass up the left sideline on 4th and 10 (with the game on the line and the clock running out and ND ahead), which resulted in a huge gain down inside the 5 yard line...and then Matty's running TD for the win. Follow this with all the clutch plays he made in the NCAA Championship games.

And then add highlight plays from the MNF game versus the Bears, especially that last drive where Matty got the team into reasonable field goal territory...some other of his pro TDs...some plays from the second half of the Titans' game this year, and then end it with the TD drive that Matty led the team on in relief or Warner in the Pittsburgh game in 2007, as a symbolic gesture of this is what you can do following Warner.

Have Matty watch it a couple of times and then simply say, "This is the Matt Leinart we want to see show up this year. Get these pictures clear in your mind. Get your swagger back. This is going to be one heckuva ride."

Hell Mitch, that got me pumped up to go throw some TDs

 

[Mitch]

Hell Mitch, that got me pumped up to go throw some TDs

I'm with you, MD! Hey the #3 QB spot is open. Get your highlight tape to RG, asap!

 

[mjb21aztd]

I hope Pete is right about Leinart because I want to see him have success in the nfl, and we have a great wr core for him to get it done. But I think if he can't get it done with these wr's then he probally won't be able to get it done on another team. But I really want to see Leinart lead us to another division title this year and the playoff's!!! I brought a Leinart jersey a year ago so let me wear it with pride this year Matt .

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I'm going to start a thread next week asking if people think Leinart will be any good this year.

 

[Buckybird]

I'm with you, MD! Hey the #3 QB spot is open. Get your highlight tape to RG, asap!

as long as he doesn't wear his lacrosse shorts

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Matt seemed to have some of that swagger back when he went into the Saints palyoff game. Hopefully it will continue on in to this season.

I saw it a little different.

I saw the Saints backing off the receivers because they knew ML could not hurt them. So they were giving him the short throws and it looked like he was comfortable. It's the same thing we used to do in the fourth qtr when we had the lead and any John Doe QB would shred us.

 

[bg7brd]

I'm talking about the end of first half when Leinart went in for Kurt.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I'm with you, MD! Hey the #3 QB spot is open. Get your highlight tape to RG, asap!

C'mon man get it together. I switched to kicker. I just haven't been able to get out to AZ yet. Why do you think we haven't re-signed REackers?

as long as he doesn't wear his lacrosse shorts

 

[Snakester]

My antennas go up when a guy like Pete Carrol talks QBs. This is a guy who sent 4 of them to the pros in his 9 year stint with USC (Palmer, Leinart, Booty, Sanchez). Look out for Matt Barkley, another Carrol protege, to make noise in the NFL too. To me, his credibility on this topic is 2nd to none.

Ive made these arguments many times in the past but it's worth repeating.

With what was given to him, Leinart did a decent job as a rookie. Recall that he was in a system ran by a lazy coach who knew his days were numbered with the team. The only fire Denny Green showed that season was the Bears postgame interview. Anyway, here are some facts to ponder when looking at 2006; his rookie season:

• Leinart's 1st start against KC = 22 for 35 253 yards 2 TDs 1 INT
• 2nd start against the Bears (best team at the time) = 24 for 42 232 yards 2 TDs no INTs
• Against another one of the best defenses at the time, he set an NFL record for most passing yards in one game by a rookie = 405 yds
• Sent Anquan Boldin to the pro bowl

What has happened since then was the emergence of a brand new coach, a significant change in the offense and the resurgence of an HoF caliber QB in Warner. I dont care who you are, that is a lot of change for a rookie to handle. Think about it: in 3 years he was in 3 different offenses (Carrol, Green, Whisenhunt). Imagine every year, memorizing a 200+ page offensive playbook then throwing it away and starting from scratch.

Furthermore, the 2008 QB race was closer than people really want to admit. In one preseason game, Leinart three 3 INTs, yet before that, both Warner and Leinart were neck and neck. I'm not taking all responsibility away from Matt, just saying that his one bad game came at a horrible time (how often did we see 5 turnover games from Warner?)

People want to throw him under the bus for his time during mop up duty in 2009. Trust me, I was one of the hardest on him but later I put things in perspective. Warner had taken nearly every 1st string snap in practice. Since this is a timing-based offense, rhythm is key to success. Warner had the chance to develop it, Leinart didn't. Before the Titans game, Leinart was given a significant portion of the snaps (not as many as Warner typically gets) and he did just fine in that game.

Other proponents for Leinart want to compare him to Aaron Rodgers. I don't. I compare him more to Steve Young. From 1985-86, he started 19 games for a bottom feeding Tampa Bay Buccaneer team. His overall record: 3-16. Look here at the stats for those two seasons. They are not pretty. He was deemed a "bust" after just two seasons and was subsequently traded to SF after TB drafted Testaverde. After sitting for 4 seasons behind Joe Montana, another legendary QB, he took the reigns and had an HoF career himself.

Whether you are a Leinart proponent or detractor, consider what the man has been through since being in the NFL. No one is saying that Leinart is better than Warner or that the offense will improve, but rather he will be an upper echelon quarterback in this league. Now that Warner is out of the picture, Leinart can focus on success rather than constantly looking over his shoulder. Trust me, Derek Anderson is not going to phase him one bit.

Solid post. I agree with almost all of it. I also think Matt will be fine this year. Hopefully he wont get thrown under the bus if he has an average year. Give the guy a couple years starting and he should be solid.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Solid post. I agree with almost all of it. I also think Matt will be fine this year. Hopefully he wont get thrown under the bus if he has an average year. Give the guy a couple years starting and he should be solid.

The problem is, people will be calling for his benching after his 1st incomplete pass in the pre-season. Heck, people were wanting Warner benched,FOR LEINART,after a couple games last year.

 

[moklerman]

The only concern I have about Leinart is whether or not he'll stay healthy.

As I have said on many occasions, Whis is a master motivator. I think that is his greatest attribute as a coach and have complete faith in him using the best approach to get the most out of Leinart. Whether Leinart needs to be coddled or have his azz chewed or something in between, I think Whis will coach him the right way.

 

[cardsfanmd]

The only concern I have about Leinart is whether or not he'll stay healthy.

As I have said on many occasions, Whis is a master motivator. I think that is his greatest attribute as a coach and have complete faith in him using the best approach to get the most out of Leinart. Whether Leinart needs to be coddled or have his azz chewed or something in between, I think Whis will coach him the right way.

+1

Good post

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The only concern I have about Leinart is whether or not he'll stay healthy.

As I have said on many occasions, Whis is a master motivator. I think that is his greatest attribute as a coach and have complete faith in him using the best approach to get the most out of Leinart. Whether Leinart needs to be coddled or have his azz chewed or something in between, I think Whis will coach him the right way.

+1

Good post

My biggest concern as well. It would suck to have all this build up and have Matty finally have his chance, only to get injured early on.

At that point you would have to conclude he is snakebit and its just not going to happen for him here in AZ.

I am praying for good health and think the rest will take care of itself.

 

[bg7brd]

My biggest concern as well. It would suck to have all this build up and have Matty finally have his chance, only to get injured early on.

At that point you would have to conclude he is snakebit and its just not going to happen for him here in AZ.

I am praying for good health and think the rest will take care of itself.

Exactly! The worst thing for the Cards would be for Leinart to get injured early and not be able to fully evaluate him. It would be a HUGE decision at the end of the year on whether to give him his bonus or cut him.

 

[TJ]

It's just weird that Petey is trying to help Kenny...

But, how about this?

Whiz, IMO, should go one step further...make a highlight tape of Matty's best plays at USC, highlighted by the incredibly clutch plays he made at Notre Dame, when he threw a picture perfect pass up the left sideline on 4th and 10 (with the game on the line and the clock running out and ND ahead), which resulted in a huge gain down inside the 5 yard line...and then Matty's running TD for the win. Follow this with all the clutch plays he made in the NCAA Championship games.

And then add highlight plays from the MNF game versus the Bears, especially that last drive where Matty got the team into reasonable field goal territory...some other of his pro TDs...some plays from the second half of the Titans' game this year, and then end it with the TD drive that Matty led the team on in relief or Warner in the Pittsburgh game in 2007, as a symbolic gesture of this is what you can do following Warner.

Have Matty watch it a couple of times and then simply say, "This is the Matt Leinart we want to see show up this year. Get these pictures clear in your mind. Get your swagger back. This is going to be one heckuva ride."

This....right here is how you motivate young players who need a psychological edge. When I open my sports psychology practice next year, you will be my assistant. Do we have a deal?

 

[TJ]

My biggest concern as well. It would suck to have all this build up and have Matty finally have his chance, only to get injured early on.

At that point you would have to conclude he is snakebit and its just not going to happen for him here in AZ.

I am praying for good health and think the rest will take care of itself.

I am full aware that in the game of football, one play can change the course of a talented player's career, whether it be the game winning SB throw or a ruptured achillies heal. Back when Leinart suffered those two injuries, he was a twig. Now he has beefed up enough to what seems to me as solid and durable. The MMA training certainly helps. Therefore, I am confident he will make it through a 16 game season w/o any major injurues.