Update: Matt Leinart officially released

[DirtyDez]

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have released quarterback Matt Leinart, ending a rocky stint with the team that began with fanfare as he was drafted 10th overall in 2006 and ended this preseason with the former USC star taking a backseat to Derek Anderson.

The team announced the decision to release the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Saturday.

Leinart played in 29 games with 17 starts for Arizona, and threw for 3,893 yards with 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Leinart came into this season looking to finally prove himself and show his teammates he was ready to handle all the responsibilities of starting as quarterback.

Leinart started the first two preseason games but was mostly unimpressive.

The Cardinals started Anderson the next two games as rumors swirled about Leinart's future with the team and he complained to reporters about being left out of the loop.

Leinart's initial stint as Arizona's starter in 2007 didn't go so well, either.

Leinart was coming off a decent rookie season in which he threw for more than 2,500 yards and 11 touchdowns after replacing Kurt Warner in Week 5.

That gave Leinart the edge over the veteran the next training camp and the left-hander opened as starter. He lasted five games, sharing time with Warner while throwing four interceptions and two touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 61.9 before a broken collarbone ended his season.

Leinart spent the past two seasons as an understudy to Warner, who led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl in 2008 and another division title last season before retiring.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5531595

[HMFFL]

Citing "several sources," FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports that the Cardinals are actively trying to trade Matt Leinart.
The desired compensation is unclear, but Arizona has reportedly contacted multiple teams. They probably shouldn't hold out for more than a sixth-round pick with Leinart's trade stock at an all-time low. The 27-year-old's contract calls for a $2.5 million base salary in 2010, which will be prohibitive for most teams. Leinart will take time to learn another offense, and has not been open to settling for a backup job. Ultimately, he'll probably be released. rotoworld.com via Jay Glazer on Twitter

[NW7]

Not surprising to say the least. He never once appeared to be given a chance (or at least given any form of support) with the new coaching staff once Dennis Green left. Hopefully he gets traded or released and learns from the situation, however, that is probably asking for too much at this point.

[sunshinekids99]

Is Leinart really that bad? He's completed what 80% of his passes and hasn't thrown a pick? I just don't get it. For Derek Freaking Anderson...really?

[Elway=GOAT]

Bad move, atleast give the guy a chance.. Wow

[DirtyDez]

What are you talking about they gave him plenty of chances. He didn't work hard, he partied off the field and never showed leadership or discipline. Plus, there's reports of the locker room being more behind Anderson. Neither player is good but your leader has to be trusted by teammates. Maybe we all overhyped him out of college.

[ZedgetRedd]

Wow... I would give the guy at least a couple of games before throwing him into the trash. Its not even like they have a good young potential starter like Henne or Kolb, they have **** Derek Anderson... he either really ****** it up in the locker room or is just that awful.

[LAKESHOW]

GREAT NEWS!

because when this team goes down the drain, he wont get the blame for it. the cardinals are on the decline, and theyve got gaping holes on both sides of the line. Some coaches do that however, if there is a guy in place that was not "their guy," they wont take him in. Proof? Look at the numbers for example, his numbers are comparable if not even better than derek andersons. if this was truly a "competition" then he would get the nod due to his experience because he has accomplished everything derek has if not more. which proves that whisenhunt does not want nor like leinart. leinart needs to take his paycheck and get a new start where he will thrive and be successful. the cards are done, with or without leinart, the cards just dont know it yet.

[Roger Murdock]

With Derek Anderson their starting quarterback they are in big trouble. Especially if they dont have a quality back up behind him, which they clearly don't because Anderson shouldn't even be considered a quality backup.

[MaryvalesFinest]

GREAT NEWS!

because when this team goes down the drain, he wont get the blame for it. the cardinals are on the decline, and theyve got gaping holes on both sides of the line. Some coaches do that however, if there is a guy in place that was not "their guy," they wont take him in. Proof? Look at the numbers for example, his numbers are comparable if not even better than derek andersons. if this was truly a "competition" then he would get the nod due to his experience because he has accomplished everything derek has if not more. which proves that whisenhunt does not want nor like leinart. leinart needs to take his paycheck and get a new start where he will thrive and be successful. the cards are done, with or without leinart, the cards just dont know it yet.

Or maybe it's because he sucks?

Whiz isn't dumb, if he thought Leinart would give the team a better chance at winning he would play him. He had alot of chances to win the starters job and failed, the coach and his teamates see him every day and I would take their word over a whiny primadonna. Yeah Whiz and the locker room are out to get him...seriously?

[MaryvalesFinest]

With Derek Anderson their starting quarterback they are in big trouble. Especially if they dont have a quality back up behind him, which they clearly don't because Anderson shouldn't even be considered a quality backup.

Anderson is a better option than Leinart, I agree it's still a risk though. The odds are in favor of him returning closer to his pro bowl form though considering he will be playing in stadiums with a roof 9 games of the year and with Fitz (who's a much better player than BE when he had that pro bowl season) If not there's always Hall and Skelton to try and develop.

[Cliff Levingston]

Who wants a QB who can't throw a ball beyond 10 yards? Anyone? Anyone?

[LAKESHOW]

GREAT NEWS!

because when this team goes down the drain, he wont get the blame for it. the cardinals are on the decline, and theyve got gaping holes on both sides of the line. Some coaches do that however, if there is a guy in place that was not "their guy," they wont take him in. Proof? Look at the numbers for example, his numbers are comparable if not even better than derek andersons. if this was truly a "competition" then he would get the nod due to his experience because he has accomplished everything derek has if not more. which proves that whisenhunt does not want nor like leinart. leinart needs to take his paycheck and get a new start where he will thrive and be successful. the cards are done, with or without leinart, the cards just dont know it yet.

Or maybe it's because he sucks?

Whiz isn't dumb, if he thought Leinart would give the team a better chance at winning he would play him. He had alot of chances to win the starters job and failed, the coach and his teamates see him every day and I would take their word over a whiny primadonna. Yeah Whiz and the locker room are out to get him...seriously?

Win the job? how did he lose it? Derek anderson outplayed him? oh well, some folks around here need more education in regards to football. If your knowledge of the game is weak, then just flat out say so, instead of pretending to know the game. So when you have no statistical data or information, that only leaves one thing . . . drinking the HATERade. put the bottle down son.

Secondly, this is the NFL. they figure things out very quickly. at 5'11 those types of QBs have a short lifespan and get figured out quickly. Now when that happens, the franchise turns to who? ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS? Again, your HATERade drinking turns you blinded to these simple facts. You say who cares? Alright, what Multi-Million or Billion dollar organization turns the reigns of its franchise over to green, cut before inexperienced QBs? Nevertheless, the dumb owner and organization is turning that decision over to his Coach, who is about to make that blunder. Which means only one reason, the dude never liked Leinart to begin with, because that road is a truly truly dark road to go down.

Heres some more facts, that defensive and offensive line absolutely SUCKs. What does that mean? odds and possibility of getting an injured quarterback is not remote. When that happens, who is going to play quarterback? Whiz?

See my friend, stop playing with the shaker weights (without actually having any weights in your hands), and you will begin to see the wisdom that the SHOW has just imparted unto you.

But again, it doesnt matter anyways, the cards are done. They had a nice run while it lasted.

[MaryvalesFinest]

the dude never liked Leinart to begin with

It doesn't matter if he likes him or not, if Leinart could play he wouldn't be in this situation. Whiz plays the guys that give the team the best chance to WIN, he doesn't coddle QB's. Maybe Matt needs a coach to stroke his ego, if so Whiz isn't that guy. When Warner retired he had the green light for the job basically and he blew it. It's not all about stats, like Whiz said you have to be a leader and make big plays, something Anderson does and Leinart doesn't.

Yet the Leinart groupies will come out and say it's because the coach hates him, his teamates hate him, the media hates him yet it's somehow their fault? Maybe Leinart is the problem.

[NO-KG-AI]

Leinart is part of the problem, but we'll never know how much because Whisenhunt won't let him play. He has looked decent in the pre-season, and was decent the last time I saw him come into a game(Post season against the Saints).

[NO-KG-AI]

Leinart is part of the problem, but we'll never know how much because Whisenhunt won't let him play. He has looked decent in the pre-season, and was decent the last time I saw him come into a game(Post season against the Saints).

[DirtyDez]

Cards dump Leinart. My guess is he ends up with his former coach Pete Carroll in Seattle.

[El Hardee]

I used to train at the same gym as him, the dude was in horrible shape in the off season, you would have never thought he was a pro athlete. He was talking bout partying and seemed like he never took anything serious. I dont think he has the leadership skills to be a NFL QB, nice guy though.

[LAKESHOW]

there are different styles of defense that coordinators use, for example the defensive back style or "type" of coverage. usually the db sits on top of the receiver and plays behind him, play from behind and allow the db to come up and make the play should the receiver catch the ball.

the style of defense that took down derek and will eventually take down max hall is the "trail" position. this has the db trailing behind the receiver, with the safeties on top. what happens is it forces the smaller quarterbacks to throw over the lineman and now throw over the db. shorter quarterbacks need lanes and usually jam the fastball to the receiver. but very difficult to do so with a small window, and the db in trail position.

this is what will happen with the shorter but quicker quarterbacks like anderson etc...

[Elway=GOAT]

I wish they would of just given him a few weeks, and seen what he has. You dont know from a few practices, and minmal game time. I have seen what Derek Anderson has, and I dont want that.