Leinart in Best Situation a Rookie Could Ask For

After the 2004 college football season, USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart could have forgone his senior season and cashed in. He would have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s NFL Draft and selected by the San Francisco 49ers. However, Leinart took the road less traveled and decided to enjoy another year of college life as the ‘Big Man on Campus.’

Due to his decision to stay in school, Leinart’s stock dropped. Many NFL executives had second thoughts before this year’s draft regarding his drive, arm strength and attitude. As a result, Leinart was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. The Buffalo Bills passed on Leinart and used their pick at No. 8 to focus on defense, as did the Detroit Lions at No. 9. Buffalo’s combined 400 year old executive board made it public that they didn’t want a ‘Hollywood attitude’ on their team.

Although he did lose millions of dollars by hanging out on the Southern California campus another year, taking a ball room dancing class, he is in the best situation he ever could have asked for. Why? Well, instead of getting his face kicked in week in and week out playing for a horrible 49ers team in 2005, Leinart is heading into mini camp in 2006 with one of the most promising teams in the NFL…the Arizona Cardinals.

Leinart will have some of the best weapons a young quarterback could ask for: Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Anquan Boldin (WR) and Edgerrin James (WR). Don’t forget about the talent on defense either, which ranked eighth in total defense last season, with great young players like Adrian Wilson (SS), Karlos Dansby (LB), Darnell Dockett (DT) and Antrel Rolle (CB). The Cardinals also drafted very well beyond the first round this year selecting Leinart's USC teammate, offensive guard Taitusi Lutui, and Georgia tight end Leonard Pope. Those two additions will add depth and strengthen an offensive line that will be much improved from year ago.

The rookie QB will also have the privilege of learning the Arizona offense sitting behind former league MVP and overall good guy Kurt Warner. With Warner’s injury troubles the last couple of seasons, there is a chance Leinart will see some action next year as well. And a year from now, when Leinart is ready to take over the starting job, there is a chance Warner will stay as the backup and continue to mentor him. Warner is under contract for three years and he is not getting any younger.

When you look at Leinart’s situation compared to the other two quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year’s draft, you can easily see that Leinart is in the most envious position. Jay Cutler, drafted No. 11 by Denver, is going to sit behind a 31-year old Jake Plummer, who is coming off of a career year and on a team that lost in the AFC Championship. Plummer is not the mentoring kind and will not take to leading the tutelage of the Vanderbilt standout. Vince Young was drafted No. 3 to Tennessee, which was the NFL's youngest team last year. He will be replacing a legend in Steve McNair, who is on his way out.

By staying for his senior season, Leinart did not win a second Heisman or another national title, but he did land the best gig a rookie quarterback could ask for. Looks like good things do happen to those who wait.

In the NFL winning is not everything, it’s the ONLY thing. And with the addition of Leinart to an already talented young team, the Cardinals will finally do just that….win.

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