Mitch, what aspects of Leinart's game do you see that don't fit Wiz's offense? To me, Leinart fits it to a tee. I know it was college, but look at the Trojans offense: like to run the rock, play action pass with big chunks downfield through the air. Wasn't that the Steelers offense? To me Matt proved as a rookie he can throw the football and be a very good if not great QB in this league given the opportunity. People forget the kid has only started 15 NFL games in his career. I think when Warner is done and Leinart knows he doesn't have to look over his shoulder he will succeed bigtime.
Actually, Bucky, I think some of the guys on this thread made good points about Leinart being better suited for a more traditional offense that stresses the running game and play action.
But, I think Whiz's concern with Leinart is the combination of throwing off the back foot (which decreases his already suspect arm strength), his somewhat slow release, and his propensity to release the ball too high, which causes the nose of the football to rise, thus leading to too much arc on the ball.
The other question about Leinart is, is his physical and mental toughness. There's a perception among NFL coaches that he's been coddled most of his life. He was certainly coddled at USC under Pete Carroll (whom NFL coaches think is a joke)...and he was surrounded by all-star talent, three deep at every position.
The beer bong incident was also unfortunate and extremely irresponsible on his part. It did little to dissuade Leinart's critics for being perceived as a glorified college frat boy...which is what some of his critics already thought when he elected to return to USC for his senior year after having won the Heisman, an NCAA Championship and put himself in line to be a top three draft pick.
I am talking about perception here.
These are the issues that Leinart has to put to rest if he is ever going to become a highy respected starting QB in this league.
Lastly, and I've said this before, I think it says a lot about Leinart that in an extremely QB starved market this off-season, that in light of Warner re-signing for huge bucks and securing the #1 QB job for TWO more years, Leinart did not ask for a trade. One would think he wouldn't want to put his career on hold for yet another two years, when he could have found himself in someone's starting lineup.
Had Warner's deal been ONE year and Leinart promised the reins afterward, that's a different story. But, Leinart has not only been promised NOTHING, he currently finds himself in a battle for the #2 QB spot.
I know the argument that Leinart proponents make in this regard: they laud his loyalty, patience and perseverance.
Could it be, though, that Leinart is actually comfortable in his current role, getting fat paychecks to support his hedonistic lifestyle, and not having to sacrifice his body in the interim?
You would think that now 4 years into his career he'd do ANYTHING to be a starter.
What Leinart stayed around for is this current #2 QB competition, which, for a #10 draft pick in 2006, does not do wonders for his already suspect image around the league. If Whiz is making Leinart earn the #2 after what Leinart went through last year with the whole charade of him being the appointed starter going into camp, what does this say to the rest of the league? And what does this suggest about Whiz's confidence in him?