Texans agree to terms with Matt Leinart

[The1ApplePie]

Matt finally in a city where he can get his groove properly on

Good fit for both

1. Ton a weapons
2. Great QB coach
3. Similar system
4. A starting QB with durability issues

Great place to breathe life into a new career.

With Mike Williams comming back in Seattle, its good to see a few Trojans getting back on the horse

 

[bckey]

I'm ok with the signing. If Kubiak can some how turn Leinart around and get at worst a capable backup and at best a starting caliber qb then the Texans score with this signing. If he continues down the same path he did in Arizona then the Texans cut bait and move on. Leinart can't do any worse than Grossman did last year in Jacksonville. Everyone needs to take emotion out of the Leinart signing and just see it for what it is. QB depth with experience.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I've seen a couple of comments in this thread about Matt #2 being left-handed. I can see this being a real problem if Matt #1 goes down with an injury.

The offensive line has to think differently. The receivers may have to do things differently.

I wish Kubiak would have called me first to discuss this deal in more detail before signing Matt #2. I have some real concerns.

There have been only less than 30 left-handed QBs in the history of the NFL. How many have excelled? How many do you even recognize?

Frankie Albert
Terry Baker
Mark Brunell
Ernie Case
Jim DelGaizo
Bobby Douglass
Boomer Esiason
JJ Fitzpatrick
Will Furrer
Tony Graziani
David Greene
David Humm
Matt Leinart
Jared Lorenzen
Matt Lytle
Todd Marinovich
Steve Matthews
Paul McDonald
Cade McNown
Scott Mitchell
Doug Nussmeier
Dave Ragone
Allie Sherman
Chris Simms
Ken Stabler
Michael Vick
Eric Wilhelm
Steve Young
Jim Zorn

I posted on the "complications" of taking on a lefty QB http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1512249&postcount=18........which, is only multi-magnified when you are talking about a backup who may be expected to be an emergency insert.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

QB Danny Wuerffel.............How did that work out for us?

Don't forget Ron Dayne.

 

[Carr Bombed]

I don't care for this, but I'm not going get upset over it other than to say I didn't want him here. At this time of the season getting a 2nd or 3rd QB is difficult anyway.

What I don't like about him is he's a leftie and he brings his baggage with him. Remember how we laughed at Carolina for signing our former 1st round pick QB? Arizona is probably laughing their ass of at us right now.

In fact, I'm wondering what they are say on their BBS about it. I think I'll go check it out.

Doubt it....we were laughing our asses off at Panther fans, because Panther fans were acting like David Carr was going to be their savior at the QB position and the guy who was going to unseat Jake Delhomme.

We aren't looking at Lienart like he's going to unseat Matt Schaub and become a franchise QB (which is how Panther fans felt about Carr), we're just trying to upgrade the backup QB position...which sadly with Dan Orlovsky isn't going to be that hard to do.

JDB > Orlovsky

Lienart > Orlovsky

My grandmother > Orlovsky

This Dude > Orlovsky


Seriously, I don't know why so many people are complaining.....it's a one year deal (which means they can cut him at any time) and it's not like we currently have better options at that position.

 

[Lucky]

There have been only less than 30 left-handed QBs in the history of the NFL. How many have excelled? How many do you even recognize?

The ratio between good and bad right handed QBs can't be much different. I mean if someone like Steve Young, Boomer Esiason, or Snake Stabler were available, you'd jump on them.

I think the question boils down to is, regardless of his throwing arm, can the guy play? Thus far, the answer on Leinart is....no. Which is why he was sooo available.

 

[Rey]

The fact that he's a lefty means little. O line will not have to do much differently.

 

[Thorn]

Doubt it....we were laughing our asses off at Panther fans, because Panther fans were acting like David Carr was going to be their savior at the QB position and the guy who was going to unseat Jake Delhomme.

Yep. What I thought I was going to find and what I found were very different. Some of them making fun of Leinart, some wishing him well, very few making jabs at the Texans.

 

[Carr Bombed]

There have been only less than 30 left-handed QBs in the history of the NFL. How many have excelled? How many do you even recognize?

Frankie Albert
Terry Baker
Mark Brunell
Ernie Case
Jim DelGaizo
Bobby Douglass
Boomer Esiason
JJ Fitzpatrick
Will Furrer
Tony Graziani
David Greene
David Humm
Matt Leinart
Jared Lorenzen
Matt Lytle
Todd Marinovich
Steve Matthews
Paul McDonald
Cade McNown
Scott Mitchell
Doug Nussmeier
Dave Ragone
Allie Sherman
Chris Simms
Ken Stabler
Michael Vick
Eric Wilhelm
Steve Young
Jim Zorn

I posted on the "complications" of taking on a lefty QB http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1512249&postcount=18........which, is only multi-magnified when you are talking about a backup who may be expected to be an emergency insert.

I don't think that success rate has anything to do with being a "lefty".

I bet if you listed all the right handers who played in this league, the % who actually did something notable in this league would have about the same success rate as the list you posted above.

The QB position is just a hard position to play and fill in this league and there's ALOT more QBs who flame out compared to the few who actually make it.

 

[TexansFanatic]

There have been only less than 30 left-handed QBs in the history of the NFL. How many have excelled? How many do you even recognize?

Mark Brunell
Boomer Esiason
Ken Stabler
Michael Vick
Steve Young
Jim Zorn

I count six really good to great quarterbacks in that list of twenty-nine, and there may be one or two more whose names I don't recognize.

Six of twenty-nine means slightly over 20% of them are somewhere between really good and great. What percentage of righties are really good to great?

 

[Carr Bombed]

The ratio between good and bad right handed QBs can't be much different. I mean if someone like Steve Young, Boomer Esiason, or Snake Stabler were available, you'd jump on them.

I think the question boils down to is, regardless of his throwing arm, can the guy play? Thus far, the answer on Leinart is....no. Which is why he was sooo available.

oh... Lucky beat me to it.


Don't really think that list has anything to do with being a lefty or a righty.....just means the QB position is going to have alot more flops regardless of what hand you throw with.

 

[Lucky]

I'd take Steve Young as my backup QB, right now. Anything to get him off my TV screen. I know he'd be a better backup than he is a commentator (gag).

 

[Rey]

I've seen a couple of comments in this thread about Matt #2 being left-handed. I can see this being a real problem if Matt #1 goes down with an injury.



The offensive line has to think differently. The receivers may have to do things differently.



I wish Kubiak would have called me first to discuss this deal in more detail before signing Matt #2. I have some real concerns.

There have been only less than 30 left-handed QBs in the history of the NFL. How many have excelled? How many do you even recognize?



Frankie Albert

Terry Baker

Mark Brunell

Ernie Case

Jim DelGaizo

Bobby Douglass

Boomer Esiason

JJ Fitzpatrick

Will Furrer

Tony Graziani

David Greene

David Humm

Matt Leinart

Jared Lorenzen

Matt Lytle

Todd Marinovich

Steve Matthews

Paul McDonald

Cade McNown

Scott Mitchell

Doug Nussmeier

Dave Ragone

Allie Sherman

Chris Simms

Ken Stabler

Michael Vick

Eric Wilhelm

Steve Young

Jim Zorn



I posted on the "complications" of taking on a lefty QB http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1512249&postcount=18........which, is only multi-magnified when you are talking about a backup who may be expected to be an emergency insert.

There are generally more righties in society. A lot of people who can throw with their left hand play baseball. That probably explains the small total amount.

The ratio of successful lefties is actually probably better than the ratio of successful righties. If you listed all of the right handed qbs that have ever been in the league against all the lefties you'd probably find that lefties have a higher success rate.

 

[Hervoyel]

The only reason Leinart isn't backing up Anderson in Arizona right now is that he got into it with them over the decision to make him sit behind someone else and they determined that he would be a liability waiting in the wings and disgruntled. That's a fairly common and sensible decision on the Cardinals part.

I'm fairly certain that the Texans did not go into this situation without first discussing his role with Leinart and making sure that he understood that this is Schaub's team and that they weren't looking for someone to compete with him for the starting job. There's no history here between Leinart and the Texans. It's a one year gig to hold a clip board. Nothing more. Consider it comparable to Carr's stay in New York behind Eli Manning.

The worst thing that could possibly happen here is that Leinart isn't phased by his being cut and that he doesn't take the job here seriously. In that case we're right where the Panthers were back in 2007 when David Carr had to come in for Delhomme. If Leinart wasn't phased by being cut then I expect he'd be sitting at home waiting for someone to offer him a starting job somewhere. The league isn't exactly overstocked with great QB's. I don't think he has any delusions at this point. I think he realizes that he isn't making any progress with his career and needs a change of scenery/approach.

I bet that the Texans spoke with him, talked to him about getting his career back on track and working with Kubiak to help him with his game and clear up his reputation. I hope he was serious about it but he probably won't be here long enough to make any sort of difference. If he's smart he'll do the work and earn himself another chance at starting somewhere.

 

[Hardcore Texan]

Texans sign Leinart huh. Can he play RB?

 

[keyser]

I count six really good to great quarterbacks in that list of twenty-nine, and there may be one or two more whose names I don't recognize.

Six of twenty-nine means slightly over 20% of them are somewhere between really good and great. What percentage of righties are really good to great?

I agree - that list makes me think that being a lefty would be an advantage.

But, I'm guessing there's also a self-selection issue to overcome. That is, a left-handed player probably has to be somewhat better (not equal to) a right-handed player to get a shot at playing (for the reasons people are worried about this issue, here). So, the people who actually make the NFL as left-handed QBs might be better, on average, than the right-handed NFL QBs, just because they had to be in order for the team to take them despite the potential drawbacks.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Matt finally in a city where he can get his groove properly on

Good fit for both

1. Ton a weapons
2. Great QB coach
3. Similar system
4. A starting QB with durability issues

Great place to breathe life into a new career.

With Mike Williams comming back in Seattle, its good to see a few Trojans getting back on the horse

I don't believe that Leinart was very handicapped with Fitzgerald and Boldin. Referring to the Cardinals stint:

Leinart immediately entered into a fantastic situation for a quarterback. In 2007, Larry Fitzgerald was coming off his first Pro Bowl, and Anquan Boldin had already established himself as one of the premier physical receivers in the game.

But it didn't matter. Leinart was still unable to succeed. While most failures at quarterback are plagued by a poor supporting cast, Leinart had a stellar array of weapons and he still played at a below-average level.

Fitzgerald, arguably the league's most talented wide receiver, best exemplifies Leinart's ineptitude. He only had one game with over 100 yards receiving with Leinart as his quarterback.

He is one of the best receivers in the game. If a quarterback can't find a way to get him the ball, there is obviously something wrong with the passer.

The November 22, 2009 game versus the St. Louis Rams was a perfect example of Leinart's inability to utilize Fitzgerald.

In the first half, Fitzgerald caught six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. He was virtually uncoverable. However, that was with Kurt Warner at quarterback.

After taking a blow to the head, Warner left the game shortly before halftime, leaving Leinart to play the second half.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images Fitzgerald caught two passes for 16 yards and was a non-factor in the second half. The Cardinals scored no points in the half, and nearly blew a 21-3 lead to a 1-8 squad.[/URL]link

 

[Nawzer]

I begrudgingly welcome you to the Houston Texans Mr. Leinart.

 

[jaayteetx]

So, who gets the ax to make room for him on the roster?

 

[JB]

So, who gets the ax to make room for him on the roster?

There was room. They did cut Clark though.

 

[beerlover]

anybody else notice Texans have now added two Cardinals....(Racker/Leinart) it's nice to move on from Denver & KC

 

[Rey]

O line will not have to adjust. If the cards made a bunch of changes for him they weren't smart. Don't remember hearing much about this when vick was in atl or philly don't remember 49ers having big issues when young came aboard. The qb may see the field differently when taking snaps from under center but that is about the biggest difference.

 

[dalemurphy]

anybody else notice Texans have now added two Cardinals....(Racker/Leinart) it's nice to move on from Denver & KC

Frank Bush connection!

 

[Brisco_County]

anybody else notice Texans have now added two Cardinals....(Racker/Leinart) it's nice to move on from Denver & KC

Four Cardinals-- Antonio Smith and Frank Bush.

 

[dalemurphy]

O line will not have to adjust. If the cards made a bunch of changes for him they weren't smart. Don't remember hearing much about this when vick was in atl or philly don't remember 49ers having big issues when young came aboard. The qb may see the field differently when taking snaps from under center but that is about the biggest difference.

Rey,

I'm not terribly concerned about this issue either. That being said, there are a couple of real differences:

1. RT protects his blind side.
2. Ball spins in reverse, which will likely complicate the ability for Texan WRs to catch the ball

 

[Hervoyel]

Question. As little as Leinart is regarded (and understandably so) of available free agent QB's who would have been better?

I ask this because Chris Simms was also released by the Titans, has started some games, has arguably had more "success" (I say that while throwing up a little in the back of my mouth) and comes to you complete with a recent glimpse of the Tennessee Titans playbook. Would it have been better to wait a day or so and sign him?

 

[kiwitexansfan]

BREAKING NEWS: Adam Schefter reports Leinert signs a one year deal with us!!! Heard it on Mike and Mike in the morning show.

(in case no one has reported it)

One year tyre kicking operation sounds fair to me.

He has potential, now to see if that can be shaped now he realises he is on the path to being out of football.

 

[TheRealJoker]

Rey,

I'm not terribly concerned about this issue either. That being said, there are a couple of real differences:

1. RT protects his blind side.
2. Ball spins in reverse, which will likely complicate the ability for Texan WRs to catch the ball

Wasn't AJ's worst game as a Texan when Dave Ragone was starting? I believe it was against the Bucs his rookie year, but he dropped like 3 potential tds. A lot of people thought he had questionable hands, but it may have just been the left handed rotation on the ball...

 

[beerlover]

Four Cardinals-- Antonio Smith and Frank Bush.

damn your right that's four wow what a pipeline

 

[beerlover]

I'll try to be serious for a moment... Matt Leinart is an excellent pick-up for a couple reasons:

1. provides inusrance for Orlovsky
2. this is a QB hungry league, increase his stock possibly trade later for a draft pick

 

[Norg]

And Dan O....

it takes time with QB danO has only been here a few months give him time what if in 2 years kubes molds him into another Schaub heck and Lineart 2 what if we had like 3 Schaubs on our team or even SUper Schaubs LOL hell in time Dano or ML might even be better then Schaub

 

[Dan B.]

it takes time with QB danO has only been here a few months give him time what if in 2 years kubes molds him into another Schaub heck and Lineart 2 what if we had like 3 Schaubs on our team or even SUper Schaubs LOL hell in time Dano or ML might even be better then Schaub

Dan's had a year. He's shown that he sucks.

I'd still take him over Leinart. That guy has no future. It's Kubiak taking another pet project -- this is our new Zabransky.

 

[Norg]

if Kubes stays around i feel he wants DanO or ML to be our Qb's of teh future so he doesnot have to waste a High Draft pick on a QB in the next few years

 

[Norg]

Dan's had a year. He's shown that he sucks.

I'd still take him over Leinart. That guy has no future. It's Kubiak taking another pet project -- this is our new Zabransky.

so give him another Year

we stuck around with schaub for 2 and a half years till we seen Major gains

it might even be quicker with these gays if they can stay healthy

 

[TheRealJoker]

You have to go through a lot of Brink's, Van Pelt's and Orlovsky's before you find your Steve Young's and Tom Brady's.

 

[TheRealJoker]

so give him another Year

we stuck around with schaub for 2 and a half years till we seen Major gains

it might even be quicker with these gays if they can stay healthy

Schaub has produced since he's been here. His biggest problem prior to his breakout season last year was staying healthy. He's always put up the numbers when he's been on the field.

 

[Carr Bombed]

so give him another Year

we stuck around with schaub for 2 and a half years till we seen Major gains

it might even be quicker with these gays if they can stay healthy

You could tell Schaub was a starter the second he got here with the way he handled himself, the way he handled his teammates, and with the composure and maturity he showed on the field and in the offense.

It didn't take 2 and a half years to get gains with Schaub.

Orlovsky sucks, each year we spend on him is another year wasted in player development.


What we need to do is cut Orlovsky the second Leinart becomes comfortable with the playbook, because that guy is just robbing McNair and is not nearly worth the 3 mil he makes a season..... then after this season spend a mid round draft pick on a young QB with upside that Kubiak can develop. I really wish we would've taken a flier on Brian Hoyer last season........that kid can play and the Pats got another late round QB steal.

 

[Brisco_County]

So much lefty hate. I think I'm going to form the LDL: The Lefty Defamation League.

I would've preferred Sims to Leinart, but Kubiak didn't want to wait for a Sims to hit the market, he wanted Leinart the day he was available. Kubiak must see opportunity where no one else does, and my guess is because he's had previous success in developing a lefty, who ended up winning a Superbowl. Not many coaches want to go near a lefty, which is not only ignorant, it's bigoted. Lefties are people too.

edit:

so give him another Year

we stuck around with schaub for 2 and a half years till we seen Major gains

it might even be quicker with these gays if they can stay healthy

?

Schaub never had development issues, even early on. He was as solid as a beginner could be. The only reason it took him longer to put up good stats is because he kept sustaining dirty hits.

 

[Texan_Bill]

Rey,

I'm not terribly concerned about this issue either. That being said, there are a couple of real differences:

1. RT protects his blind side.
2. Ball spins in reverse, which will likely complicate the ability for Texan WRs to catch the ball

I had no problems catching Dave Ragone's passes (when he actually got it to me)....


Signed,

Andre Johnson

 

[TheDrifter]

if Kubes stays around i feel he wants DanO or ML to be our Qb's of teh future so he doesnot have to waste a High Draft pick on a QB in the next few years

Schaubs 29 and only two years older than new Matt and Dan O.

We dont need a "QB of the future" for five or six years, at least. And its certainly never going to be Matt L or Dan O.

 

[beerlover]

maybe getting his number changed will help him start a new identity, since Orlovsky already wears #7? I'm guessing he goes with lucky #13

 

[thunderkyss]

What concerns me about this team is Schaub staying healthy. We were very fortunate last season. Maybe I am ignorant but I would rather see a Leinart who has had some time with Kubiak than O-Fer if Schaub gets injured.

I don't understand this thinking, I really don't.

He opened the season playing on a bum ankle, or a sprung hammy. Neither of which heals well, if you don't stay off it.

He dislocated his shoulder (or was it just a bad bruise), and came back that game.

I thought something else happened, that required him to wear a flack jacket as well, for several games.

Dudes as tough as any QB in the league. He knows he needs to be out there to win, so if at all possible, I believe he'll be there.

The only thing that will take him out of a game, would be the same things that would take Brady out, or Phillip Rivers out, or Carson Palmer out.

 

[Hagar]

Question. As little as Leinart is regarded (and understandably so) of available free agent QB's who would have been better?

I ask this because Chris Simms was also released by the Titans, has started some games, has arguably had more "success" (I say that while throwing up a little in the back of my mouth) and comes to you complete with a recent glimpse of the Tennessee Titans playbook. Would it have been better to wait a day or so and sign him?

I just heard the news on the NFL channel and my jaw dropped. I'd still rather have JD Booty then either Dan O. or Matt Loser.

How about Jeff Garcia? He's had success in the past, he wants back in the NFL, and he knows the west coast offense.

 

[Speedy]

I have a problem wasting a roster spot for either one of them and the Texans are going to waste 2 roster spots on BOTH of them. Having 2 suckass players at a position does not give you depth or options at that position. I really can't see hanging on to both of these guys all year.

I mean, why sign a guy - another guy - that you'll be just as screwed with if Schaub goes down? I don't like the signing. Doesn't make sense. 15 minutes of John Booty showed more than I've seen in 3 years of Matt Leinart.

 

[BSofA04]

As a fan it's easy to ***** about this decision. However, we have a QB minded head coach. Kubiak clearly wanted Leinert. Why else did we jump so quickly? One year to see what the kid's got, then we cut bait or extend him. It's not like Leinert will have numerous takers after spending a year holding a clipboard.

Let's give him a chance to earn the backup role. If he pulls a Carr and doesn't have the work ethic, then the Texans will send him packing.

 

[PHAROAH]

Troy Smith would have been a better choice but I think that if Leinhart stays with Kubiak for a few years I think that he could make a pretty good back up QB with better coaching than what he received with the cardinals.

 

[thunderkyss]

Finding a backup QB can be like shopping for clothes at an outlet store. You have to be willing to be patient and sort through a number of options in order to hopefully find one item that you really like - if you are lucky!

So, that is what the Texans are doing right now with their backup QB position.

I don't know if that's what is going on. When Kubiak has been looking for a back-up QB, he's seen enough before they ever join the team, to sign them to a 3 year contract. Sage, DanO, they were signed before they ever saw Methodist Field. Heck, Schaub was signed to a pretty healthy Starters contract, before one day of evaluation was ever done in person.

But signing Grossman to a one year deal, or Lienart to a one year deal, tells me he's looking for something other than just a back-up. Maybe he is looking for a possible replacement.

Not to permanently replace Schaub, but in the event he goes down for an extended period of time, he'd like to have someone who can win games, as opposed to a back-up, who won't lose games.

I'd love it, if he would have found that in an undrafted QB, or Alex Brink, someone he spent a draft pick on, or confidence in Orlovsky to be that guy, but it's obvious he doesn't.

 

[Lucky]

But signing Grossman to a one year deal, or Lienart to a one year deal, tells me he's looking for something other than just a back-up. Maybe he is looking for a possible replacement.

Every once in awhile, you post something that makes me go...

 

[Carr Bombed]

How about Jeff Garcia? He's had success in the past, he wants back in the NFL, and he knows the west coast offense.

Jeff Garcia is a asshat and a diva...

He's playing semi-pro ball NOT because he can't get a job in the NFL....there are a ton of teams that would love to have him as a backup (and we're probably one of them), but the reason why he's playing semi-pro ball is because the man wants to be a starter and the word on the street is he divides locker rooms and is somewhat of a cancer when he's not the starter.

No thanks to Jeff Garcia. I'll gladly sign his wife to a 1 night contract though.

 

[thunderkyss]

Don't know about their credibilty but these guys are stating that Leinart has the number 2 spot over Dan-O...

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Texans-agree-to-terms-with-Matt-Leinart.html

He's got a one year deal, he's not here for development. If he doesn't take the #2 spot sometime during the season, that says more about him, than losing the #2 would say about Orlovsky.

He was a first round draft pick, he was very successful at the college level, if his issue with Wisenhunt was truly "away from football" then he should earn that #2 spot rather quickly.