APIn the years since Matt Leinart lost the starting job in Arizona to Kurt Warner, no team has ever given Leinart another chance to be a starter: The best job he could get after the Cardinals cut him was as the No. 2 quarterback in Houston, and the best job he could get after the Texans cut him was as the No. 2 quarterback in Oakland.
But Leinart remains optimistic that he’ll eventually be a starter again.
“I still have the mindset and desire to play. I am obviously still competitive and I hate to be on the sideline sitting and watching,” Leinart said on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “I know what I can do.”
Unfortunately for Leinart, the only way he’ll get off the sideline and on the field in Oakland is if Carson Palmer gets hurt. Leinart has backed up Palmer before in college at USC, and he’s ready to do it again in the NFL, even though he’d prefer not to back anyone up.
“We have remained close over the years,” Leinart said of Palmer. “He is a guy I have always looked up to, and it’s awesome 10 years later to be reunited.”
So if Leinart has to be on the sideline sitting and watching, Palmer is the quarterback he wants to sit and watch.
I understand the CFL has number of potential openings for starting QBs. If Leinart plays his cards right, he might land the starting job for the new CFL expansion franchise in Minneapolis.
Write it down.
This season Raiders are going to run the table… the beer pong table.
Doubtful Matt.
If Leinart is playing, the RAIDERS will looking forward to 2013…
Holy Jebus I’d have never recognized him from that picture. He looks like Sean Penn after a nap.
Pshaw! Minny isn’t going to accept a CFL team. Straight Arena League, homey.
Unfortunately for Leinart, the only way he’ll get off the sideline and on the field in Oakland is if Carson Palmer gets hurt.
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Or if Palmer continues to throw interceptions?
Oakland fans remain hopeful that he stays on the sideline, off the field.
He’s still got time.
Heck, he’s the same age as Brandon Weeden.
I hope he can get on track, a year or 2 behind Palmer would be good. The guy is still young enough to become a starting QB, he is the same age at Brandon Weeden who was drafted first round out of okie st.
Maybe throwing passes to TO in the Area Football League
who is matt leinart?
He says he’s got the mindset, the desire and the competitiveness…..
the one thing he DIDN’T say he had was the talent.
Siddown and grab a clipboard, Leinart.
When Minnesota moves to L.A. they can bring in Matt Lienart as a great marketing draw !
And I remain hopefully that I will schtoop Faith Hill. We have about even odds Matt.
If he uses the words “compete” or “competitive” a few more times we can trade him to Seattle for a first rounder
Remember Lance Kiffin questioning Al about why
he took Huff over Leinart. Lol! Well Al was right!
While Huff hasn’t set the world on fire I would
say he’s been more productive than Leinart, and now we
got both. And while I’m at DHB over Crabtree was
right too!
Al Davis Forever!!!
Just Win Baby!!!
No he doesnt,im quite sure hes just as happy riding the bench pullin in 6 figures.
Funny thing is that he has as many rings as Joe Flacco.
Matt, word of advice.
Stop talking to the media. Stop looking for attention.
Learn to find value in yourself, in the end, this opinion is all that matters.
Think of the wear and tear you’re not taking. Unless you pull your back out picking up a clipboard. Whatever they’re paying you it’s too much for watching from the sidelines so hush up and enjoy the game. There’s a reason you’re a back up. Figure the reason out first and solve it. Till then, there’s a million others that would love to have your job and salary for whatever it is you do. Quit your griping
Matt’s not a non-injury start again, ever. I saw him in a sushi place, when he was playing behind Warner, and I was struck with how small he appeared for a 6’5″, 230 guy. And with very few exceptions (in the NFL), he always played that way. I always pulled for him (he looked like he might affect his legacy, for a minute, in Houston…then the injury), but the best he’ll do now is a capable backup, if Palmer gets knocked out.
Wasn’t Leinart the starter for Houston last year against Jacksonville when he got hurt? He’s just got bad luck.
Perhaps if he … oh I don’t know … maybe concentrated on football and stopped being a 24/7 party beast. Just a guess, but I bet it would help.
Danny Weurrful sighs a sigh of relief! Thanx Matt!
I don’t think an injury needs to happen. You can bet the new regime isn’t gonna let Palmer sit back and throw picks like last year without at least testing the Pryor or Leinart waters. And Raider17 you can tell yourself DHB is better all you want but their career production quite drastically says otherwise and Crabtree plays in a run all day offense. I’ll take DHB’s attitude over Crabs, but certainly not his on field ability
Barring an injury, he’ll stay on the sidelines…
And while I’m at DHB over Crabtree was
right too!
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Let’s not get carried away. Crabtree may not have turned out to be much, but taking DHB at #7 was still monumentally stupid. Could’ve traded out of the 1st round completely and still gotten DHB. If they just HAD to have a WR, how about Maclin, Nicks or Harvin?
There’s a lot of commenters that seem to take the position that because they love the NFL so much, this is the reason why NFL players should, in turn, be appreciative, keep their mouths shut, be nice to kids and all sorts of other things. There’s this idea that NFL fans would love to make NFL player money and would do whatever it takes to have that opportunity and therefore real NFL players should be more sensitive to this fan perspective.
I wonder if these commenters realize there are tens of millions of more people who would love to have the jobs, lifestyle and opportunities that many of the commenters have.
In other words, holding NFL players to standards that you don’t live up to yourself is a double standard. Nobody should be expected to pay attention to the unprocessed blabberings of hypocritical haters. That’s why NFL players don’t care about you or what you think.
Leinart may be a better fit for Knapps offense than Palmer, I love him as our #2 and Pryor as our 3. Worst case scenario, the 2012 Raiders can still win if they lose their starting QB, unlike the 2011 Raiders.
If Palmer plays poorly, sure, Leinart and even Pryor have a shot at playing.
The Raiders ended up with Darrius Heyward-Bey and the 49ers ended up with Michael Crabtree, period.
But I bet, there wasn’t anyone out there that legitimately thought at the end of the season, DHB (64 receptions, 975 yards, 4 TDs) would have better statistics than Crabs (73, 880, 4).
And the run-all-day offense theory is crap. The Raiders ran the ball 466 times to the 49ers 498.
thegeneral7694 says: May 5, 2012 5:18 PM
Let’s not get carried away. Crabtree may not have turned out to be much, but taking DHB at #7 was still monumentally stupid.
So what was Crabtree at #10? Stroke of genius? I don’t know any Raider fan that liked DHB in the first round, but Crabtree came into the league plastered with buyer beware stickers.
in other news: Matt Leinart just seen at the pharmacy getting his prescription for crazy pills filled.
Yeah… Ok! There are several Qb’s that I would have prefered to backup Palmer, but in hindsight he’s a more experienced quarter back than either Boller, or Pryor. I have asked myself again and again. If Palmer goes down who would I choose to play behind him out of the choices we have. Leinart would be the guy. I’m not jumping out of my shoes for this QB, but he does have plenty of starting experience, and if for some miracle he stays healthy a small part of my believe he will help keep the QB core honest.
We shall see… Go Raiders!!!
This guy is as unlikable as Merril Hedgehog
Crabtree has had 3 years of mediocre production
DHB has been a bust for 2 years with 1 year of mediocre production.
Look it up before you claim victory
DHB > Crabtree.
I’m sure DHB would actually have produced more than, what 3 yards? In the biggest game of his career so far. Plus DHB has a much better work ethic and is a good kid.
I agree at the time DHB at 7 was a reach, but in hindsight he was the better pick over Crabtree.
Carson is fragile….you’ll get your day Matt
There is a reason he is on the sidelines. Mainly because he sux.
commitment2excrement says:
May 5, 2012 7:17 PM
Crabtree has had 3 years of mediocre production
DHB has been a bust for 2 years with 1 year of mediocre production.
Look it up before you claim victory
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All i know is DHB is beginning to be clutch, and his work ethic and selflessness has already put him above Crabs. How many game clinching first down catches has Crabs made, and when did Crabs come back from a near concussion the following week,?
He’s been a bust, but his star is on the rise and Crabs WAS A FREAKING NO SHOW WHEN IT COUNTED IN THE NFC TITLE GAME.
You know this, but your hating a$% had to chime in on a Matt Leinart story.
Come on over to Oaktown ANYTIME and run your mouth. We look forward to it.
RAIDER NATION!
Seems like a good backup to me.
Dude does get alot of skirt, at least give him that.
Oakland home of the internet’s toughest commando’s
I have to laugh at a Niners fan talking smack about Matt Lienart, who’s at least as good as Alex Smith.
The difference is, Smith is your starter while Lienart is a backup.
When he was drafted everybody said the only thing wrong with him was he didnt really”love”the game.he loved the things the game gave him more.the money,women and fame(thats why he stayed at USC lol!)
Career Stats:
Crabtree : 42 games 175 rec 2240yds 12tds
Britt : 31 games 101rec 1765yds 15tds
Nicks 42 games 202rec 3034 24tds
Harvin 45 games 218rec 2625 17tds
Maclin 44 games 189 rec 2596 19tds
DHB : 41 games 99 rec 1465 yds 6tds
Not only is Crabtree better then DHB, EVERY WR picked in the first round of the 09 draft is better then him. Keep trying to convince yourselfs you got a winner. I know you tried so hard doing that with Russell, look how that turned out.
I like the way you tried to put Crabtree on the top of that list! Lmao. You just helped prove the point of DHB has been just as efficient as any receiver in the NFL taking in the same year/draft. So out of the list of 6 receivers sure DHB finished 6th. (no excuses..QB drama, coaching changes, etc…) But I couldn’t help but notice that your “poised first rounder” finished 4 out of 6! Hmmmmm! How can this be? Please feel free to explain how with all of Crabtree’s talent, for what it’s worth, is he only 2 slots higher on the list than an “alleged” BUST? Please feel free to continue to show how little you know about, well, ANYTHING!
DHB will continue to improve while Crabtree seems to have been “all in” since day one..or round 1!
Nobody said Crabtree was good, I wrote he was mediocre.
I was responding to the intellectual genius who stated that DHB was better then Crabtree, when in fact he is the worst. And my order was actually the order in which they were picked, except for DHB, because he has been proven to be last, in any list.
Please continue to prove that Raider fans are utterly blinded by their own delusions of grandeur from the 70’s. Since then, the only thing the Raiders have done of note is tossing a record breaking 5 PICKs in the superbowl. Presided over a team who has been penalized (by a wide margin) over any team in the modern era. And drafted the biggest bust not only in the history of the AFC West, But in all of the NFL.
Tatum64:
How quickly you forget, Crabtree scored one against the Raiders last year. Breaking the 0-5 stench start on the Raiders backs. Your team was the initial catalyst that culminated in last year’s Conference game.
lol @ the stupid 9ers fan who thinks they played that blessed team from the east bay last season, what a doosh!
commitment2excrement
You can take all those 1st-round wide outs, give me Denarius Moore.
A 5th-round steal making a fraction of the 1st-rounders money.
commitment2excrement
Unfortunately, until JaMarcus commits murder, he still can’t top Ryan Leaf as the all-time bust.
Leaf keeps getting arrested and the charges get more humiliating as they come.
Man, give Leinhart a break he came out of college and was thrown to the wolves. I personally don’t mind the Leinhart signing, he is definately head and shoulders above Boller and he did well in his spot duty last season. I know it was only 1 drive in the playoffs, but he was like 10 for 13 passing with 58 passing yds a TD and NO INT’s_The point is nobody has seen enough of Leinhart lately to say whether or not he is a starting caliber QB or backup QB for that matter; Leinhart hasn’t really played the last 3 years or been given the opportunity to redeem himself. I am much happier to see Leinhart backing up Palmer than I would have been if they’d re-signed Boller, and I think if given the opportunity Leinhart will shine and redeem himself.
Nobody CAN say Crabtree is any good…should have been your open statement! Haha. If Al wanted him..he would have took him! Al just wanted the last laugh at whoever picked him and decided to pay for T.O. Jr.’s service..as mediocre as they’ve been!
And to return volley on your “raiders of the 70’s” comment..they won 2 of they’re 3 super bowls in the 80’s. Once again, please stop making a FOOL of yourself here..do it on YOUR team’s page. Lmao!
goldrush36 says:
May 5, 2012 10:26 PM
Oakland home of the internet’s toughest commando’s
===========================
Thats why Niners were shooting at the Stick and not us….they have to over compensate.
commitment2excrement says:
May 7, 2012 12:24 PM
Nobody said Crabtree was good, I wrote he was mediocre.
I was responding to the intellectual genius who stated that DHB was better then Crabtree, when in fact he is the worst. And my order was actually the order in which they were picked, except for DHB, because he has been proven to be last, in any list.
Please continue to prove that Raider fans are utterly blinded by their own delusions of grandeur from the 70′s. Since then, the only thing the Raiders have done of note is tossing a record breaking 5 PICKs in the superbowl. Presided over a team who has been penalized (by a wide margin) over any team in the modern era. And drafted the biggest bust not only in the history of the AFC West, But in all of the NFL.
Tatum64:
How quickly you forget, Crabtree scored one against the Raiders last year. Breaking the 0-5 stench start on the Raiders backs. Your team was the initial catalyst that culminated in last year’s Conference game.
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Sorry, uh you have a fan base, were an entire subculture.
Anytime you need a reminder, as I said, come right on over…your fan base needs a lift SINCE WE OWN CALIFORNIA
Think anyone is rocking Niner gear or Charger in L.A.?
Lets get this correct here since the facts obviously dont matter to Raider fans.
7 YEAR STREAK of losing 10 or more games
Have not been relevant for the past 10 years
Single season record for penalties
THIS is what you own.
commitment2excrement says:May 9, 2012 3:20 AM
Lets get this correct here since the facts obviously dont matter to Raider fans.
7 YEAR STREAK of losing 10 or more games
Have not been relevant for the past 10 years
Single season record for penalties
THIS is what you own.
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Of course, anyone can take stats and adjust it to make their arguement. You are only referring to the last 10 years. How many times have the Raiders been to the Superbowl? How many times have the Raiders won the Superbowl? How many times have we won the AFC Championship, AFC West? How many Raiders are in the HOF?
Stop referring to only the bad!!! Refer to the overall performance!!!!!
@ excreatment
Are we doing this..lmao!!
Here. During that same 7 year streak..take a look at how the 9ers set the world on fire:
2009 NFL San Francisco 49ers 8-8
2008 NFL San Francisco 49ers 7-9
2007 NFL San Francisco 49ers 5-11
2006 NFL San Francisco 49ers 7-9
2005 NFL San Francisco 49ers 4-12
2004 NFL San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2003 NFL San Francisco 49ers 7-9
Your team has one decent playoff run, since 1994(if I’m correct) and your the spokesperson, who is deciding to act like a Charger fan!! Hilarious!!