Adam Schefter of ESPN (@Adam_Schefter on Twitter) reported earlier today that former USC and Arizona Cardinals QB Matt Leinart has reached agreement with the Texans on a one-year deal.
While this move will certainly invoke mixed feelings among Texans fans, there's one thing to keep in mind.
It doesn't matter who the Texans backup quarterback is because if Matt Schaub goes down, the season is done.
Chalk this one up to yet another quarterback reclamation project for Gary Kubiak - and an admission that they made a mistake signing Dan Orlovsky to a three-year, $9.15 million contract in March of 2009.
As we work up to our Week 1 showdown with Indy, here are 10 things Texans fans should know about their new #3 (and maybe someday #2) quarterback.
- Leinart won the Heisman Trophy in 2004. But of course winning a Heisman as a college QB does not guarantee NFL success as Chris Weinke, Jason White, Danny Wuerffel, Charlie Ward, Eric Crouch, Gino Torretta and Andre Ware can attest. Carson Palmer (2002) is the only QB Heisman winner since Vinny Testaverde (1986) that's had a successful NFL career. Ty Detmer (1990) spent several years in the league as a backup.
- Leinart won national championships at USC in 2003 (Associated Press) and '04 (Bowl Championship Series). He fell short of a third title in 2005, losing to Texas 41-38 in the BCS championship.
- Leinart's emergence as a sophomore at USC and his surprising decision to return for his senior year in 2005 after winning the Heisman as a junior kept John David Booty on the bench. Imagine what JDB feels like now. He got 'Leinarted' again. Such is life in the NFL.
- Leinart was drafted 10th overall in the 2006 draft, behind the likes of Mario Williams, Reggie Bush and Vince Young. He signed a six year deal with the Cardinals that included $14 million in guarantees. Leinart missed two weeks of training camp during his rookie season because of stalled contract negotiations.
- Leinart started 11 games during his rookie season, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has started only one game over the past two seasons.
- Leinart has a son with former USC basketball player Brynn Cameron. A custody deal was reached after Cameron went public about Leinart's parenting skills.
- Leinart was linked to Paris Hilton back in 2006 (pardon me while I go rinse with Listerine -- I just threw up in my mouth a little).
- Back in 2008, Khloe Kardashian was a guest of Leinart at his second annual Celebrity Bowling Night in Hollywood, a benefit for Leinart's Foundation for Kids. Are you beginning to wonder if there's enough night life in Houston for Leinart? I wonder what Kubiak will think when the paparazzi starts showing up outside the practice bubble?
- Back in March 2008, Deadspin ran this item about Leinart's offseason program.
- More recently, and more troubling, is the suggestion that Leinart lost support of key players in the Cardinals locker room.
So not only does Leinart bring questionable NFL quarterback skills to the Texans, he brings a moving van full of baggage, both on-field and off-field. If Gary Kubiak wanted another project, he certainly got one in Leinart.
Comments
Thanks for all of the information. Sounds like the guy has a prima donna mentality coupled with questionable NFL quarterbacking skills.
Didn't like the signing before the additional info and I like it even less now. We hear all this stuff from Rick Smith about wanting guys that fit in their locker room, yada yada, and then they sign a jerk who can't earn the respect of his team mates. Leadership is a critical quality for a QB and Leinart appears to have none.
A major distraction is the last thing that the Texans need this season. I don't understand what Smith and Kubiak were thinking on this one. Orlovsky is a dud but Leinart is just trouble waiting to happen.
I am kind of shocked at this for sure. If anything we should have picked up another RB or DB that can maybe make an impact.
He's the anti David Carr. Instead of hiding from the California lifestyle, he welcomes it with open arms, and thus is surrounded with all the drama queen excess that goes with it.
Glass half emtpy: Leinart is exactly who we think he is. Glass half full: He has to experience a low points before he matures and proves everyone wrong.
Why are these ten things we 'need' to know?
I used the word 'should' not 'need.' 'Need' implies essential, 'should' doesn't. Thanks for reading.
You have the same subtle understanding of English as me. It is a language of many words and many borrowed words, from other languages. It is the ugly bastard stepchild of old Germanic, Latin, and old French. It's verboseness allows for specificity in description, and also vagueness in interpretation for the reader. Though saying what one means and meaning what one says requires some mental effort, spelling lacks structure and is add hock because of the language overlaps.
Shall we beat ourselves with subtle words or realize half of them are borrowed. Have we borrowed exceedingly?
You can learn many things you never think you need to know and then one day your sub conscience applies that knowledge you never thought you needed.
Whoopee!
Doesn't buy coffee at a Starbucks.
Leinart is a perfect example of the many decisions that continue to plagued this team. Five days before the season starts Kubiak decides that Orlovsky is not the answer to the #2 QB? Didn't Kubiak do the same thing last year when he signed Grossman? It makes me question if they have or see a Big overall picture and do they have a plan for it? Or do they just live in the moment? Many of their decisions suggest they live in the moment. Never mind, you're right, without Schaub there is no season.
In the, "if there were do overs in life comments" my #2 do over would be to really apply myself and do much much better with the command of the English language. (#1 would be to NEVER have picked up a cigarette, I have since quit) The ladder to the success in Life is directly related to your abilities to communicate.
They painted themselves into a corner with Orlovsky and the three year deal. I guess Kubiak thought one more year in the system would finally turn him around but he seems to have lost that bet. One thing you don't know about a QB when you bring him in is what's inside his head. Physical ability is easy to see on film or during a workout but the mental aspects (decision making under pressure, etc.) are not as easy to see until you've worked with a guy closely for a while. They bet right on Schaub at least.
Why not cut Orlovsky and sign Grossman who signed a $775K 1 yr deal with the Redskins. You get a better #2 and save money. I'm not directing this at you just pointing out the short comings in some of thought process and logic that has been displayed by this group over the last 4 years.
Schaub was highly successful in a Pro Set @ Virginia, then spent 4 yrs in a successful WCO at Atlanta. Schaub had dozens of coaches and talent evaluators (incl Alex Gibbs & Belichick) who are supporters and advocates for Matt. The Atlanta passing game was improved the 4-5 times Schaub started for an injured Vick. Fortunately Kubiak did his homework with Schaub. Kubiak took his time, did a complete football background check, in depth interviews before making this decision. The Schaub decision was unlike so many other rush to judgement decisions that have been made in recent years..
The Texans must have heard you because they cut Orlovsky's salary a few hours after you wrote that comment.
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