Can Leinart do a Plunkett and resurrect his career? (1 Viewer)

[squistion]

Let me preface this by saying that Matt Leinart will probably turn out to be who we thought he was (to paraphrase Denny Green). Still, I see parallels to another QB who was considered a bust, but when given a similar opportunity, resurrected his career - Jim Plunkett.

For those not old enough to remember, Plunkett was a 1st round pick of the Patriots who failed with them and then did nothing given a second opportunity with the 49ers. After being cut by SFO he was picked up by the Raiders in 1978 and warmed the bench for a couple seasons until Dan Pastorini was injured. The rest (as they say) was history, as Plunkett led his team to a Super Bowl that year (and no, I am not predicting the same outcome with Matty).

Leinart failed with the Cards, but perhaps this was due more to immaturity, a sense of entitlement and being on the wrong team at the wrong time when Kurt Warner had a career renaissance. IIRC, statistically his rookie season was better than Flacco or Sanchez (not the best examples given how they have played this season, but used for a point of reference that he wasn't as horrible as most people remember). Yes, he did lose his job to Derek Anderson, but by that time he was in Whisenhunt's doghouse and the team just wanted to wash their hands of him.

Perhaps Leinart has used his time as a backup productively, has matured, learned and will prove the conventional wisdom wrong, as did Plunkett. He doesn't have Plunkett's arm, but he does has some nice weapons in Andre Johnson and Owens. The odds are he will bust again, but I have rolled the dice and have picked him up in every Dynasty league that I have roster space, as I think the talent is still there and he could silence his critics with this new opportunity.

 

[coolnerd]

There have been notes around the Texans boards that Leinart has been in the habot of coming with Schuab and leaving the same time. He is a situation where he probably will not have to make more than a handful of plays between the running game and Andre Johnson's return in any given game. Also, at 7-3 with a reasonable schedule and the Titans 2 games back, really 3-3 over 6 games will get the Texans in the tournament. In short, he probably just has to not suck for the Texans to get into the playoffs. I am hopeful that he can be more than that for both the Texans and his own sake.

 

[IHEARTFF]

There have been notes around the Texans boards that Leinart has been in the habot of coming with Schuab and leaving the same time. He is a situation where he probably will not have to make more than a handful of plays between the running game and Andre Johnson's return in any given game. Also, at 7-3 with a reasonable schedule and the Titans 2 games back, really 3-3 over 6 games will get the Texans in the tournament. In short, he probably just has to not suck for the Texans to get into the playoffs. I am hopeful that he can be more than that for both the Texans and his own sake.

My guess is you are saying Leinart has been in the habit of doing what Schuab does practice-wise? Perhaps showing maturity? Could you elaborate or clarify this a little bit.

 

[David Yudkin]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.

Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

 

[GregR]

There have been notes around the Texans boards that Leinart has been in the habot of coming with Schuab and leaving the same time. He is a situation where he probably will not have to make more than a handful of plays between the running game and Andre Johnson's return in any given game. Also, at 7-3 with a reasonable schedule and the Titans 2 games back, really 3-3 over 6 games will get the Texans in the tournament. In short, he probably just has to not suck for the Texans to get into the playoffs. I am hopeful that he can be more than that for both the Texans and his own sake.

My guess is you are saying Leinart has been in the habit of doing what Schuab does practice-wise? Perhaps showing maturity? Could you elaborate or clarify this a little bit.

This is from an interview with Texans QB coach Greg Knapp.

On the “extra work” Leinart has put in: “It started last year. When he first got here, he came here after training camp, so he would meet with me at 6:15 in the morning before we started our 7 o’clock meetings with the players, and he would start learning little bit parts of the offense and we’d watch practice tape on him and his footwork and his mechanics and we’d try to start working his knowledge of our system along with the physical part of our system for him to improve in his game. He did that throughout the 16 weeks of last year’s season, and then after practice on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and also on gamedays, three hours prior to kickoff since he was the third quarterback for us, he came out and worked on individual mechanics on the field with different receivers, tight ends and sometimes just with the other QB, worked on his little nuances of dropback play that we felt were important to improve his game.”

 

[firstseason1988]

I think he is going to do well and has the serious potential to put up QB1 numbers.

Pros:(some already stated)

-- time to mature

-- time to be humbled

-- time to have head ready and mentally prepared, more than enough

-- 2 weeks to know he is starter and kick it in to game gear

-- something to prove

-- teams have to contend with Texans nice running game

-- good targets

Cons:

-- knows he won't get a better situation, could choke

-- Texans running game could take from his numbers

probably more cons, gotta help with xmas decorations and wife is nagging... feel free to contribute

picked him up in redraft where I only have Stafford and had Schaub but in first place, what the heck... if he does well, I can say I knew it the whole time.

 

[Dizzy]

He wouldn't be the first guy that turned the corner with a change of scenery, fresh start, whatever cliche' you want to throw in there.

NFL history is peppered with late bloomers.

It was only a "snippet" in the pre-season, but I thought he looked very comfortable (confident) running the offense. I wouldn't bet against him or the Texans in the stretch run here.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Wouldn't be surprised if he were a Top 15 option the rest of the way, but with bye weeks gone, that isn't too valuable (unless you're into the whole 'plug and play' theory at this time of year at QB).

 

[identikit]

Wouldn't be surprised if he were a Top 15 option the rest of the way, but with bye weeks gone, that isn't too valuable (unless you're into the whole 'plug and play' theory at this time of year at QB).

With a number of starting qbs going down (some of those to IR), I think Leinart may be quite valuable as a top 15 qb.

 

[coolnerd]

Wouldn't be surprised if he were a Top 15 option the rest of the way, but with bye weeks gone, that isn't too valuable (unless you're into the whole 'plug and play' theory at this time of year at QB).

With a number of starting qbs going down (some of those to IR), I think Leinart may be quite valuable as a top 15 qb.

I would be happy because then would be replacing Schuab who under most formats ranked between 10-14 in total and PPG.

 

[HellToupee]

Let me preface this by saying that Matt Leinart will probably turn out to be who we thought he was (to paraphrase Denny Green). Still, I see parallels to another QB who was considered a bust, but when given a similar opportunity, resurrected his career - Jim Plunkett.

One big difference of the two is the talent level .

 

[Bri]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

thought the same thing when I saw this thread.Gannon and Plunkett were more similar to me or maybe old Vince Evans...idk but definitely not Leinart.Didn't the Raiders get Jay Schraeder after the Redskins? Well some of these guys were decent and not Plunkett like. Anyhow, Leinart isn't similar.

 

[Bri]

Let me preface this by saying that Matt Leinart will probably turn out to be who we thought he was (to paraphrase Denny Green). Still, I see parallels to another QB who was considered a bust, but when given a similar opportunity, resurrected his career - Jim Plunkett.

One big difference of the two is the talent level .

well see now aren't they similar? in this regard weren't they both first rounders?

 

[griff321]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

Exactly, they're not even close. Carson Palmers could pull a Plunkett though.

 

[glumpy]

I think we've learned that Leinart has indeed used his time as a backup productively. His schedule as far as defensive rank against QB (my own nonstandard league scoring) suggests that he's got good matchups weeks 13, 15 & 16 so that suggests a good chance at going at least 3-3 to get Houston into the playoffs. Fantasy wise, in my--again, nonstandard--league scoring Schaub was #8. All this suggests some fair numbers for a plug and play in fantasy, and with Andre coming back and Foster playing well I think it suggests a fair chance for Houston going places in the NFL playoffs.

 

[firstseason1988]

Let me preface this by saying that Matt Leinart will probably turn out to be who we thought he was (to paraphrase Denny Green). Still, I see parallels to another QB who was considered a bust, but when given a similar opportunity, resurrected his career - Jim Plunkett.

One big difference of the two is the talent level .

Not sure Plunkett was more physically talented. I would say even. Mentally, obviously Plunkett has the edge now.

 

[Buckna]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

I had forgotten that Ari barely gave Leinart a chance to be their franchise QB. 11 starts his rookie year and then 6 before he landed on IR. A resurgent Warner took over and that was it. Even before landing on IR, Wisenhunt was pulling that "rotating at QB" junk with both of them. Leinart might have completely untapped potential. As a Texan fan, I can dream I guess...

 

[griff321]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

I had forgotten that Ari barely gave Leinart a chance to be their franchise QB. 11 starts his rookie year and then 6 before he landed on IR. A resurgent Warner took over and that was it. Even before landing on IR, Wisenhunt was pulling that "rotating at QB" junk with both of them. Leinart might have completely untapped potential. As a Texan fan, I can dream I guess...

It wasn't just Whis, Leinart was Denny Green's guy and he gave Matt more than ample opportunity before giving up on him.

 

[squistion]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

Exactly, they're not even close. Carson Palmers could pull a Plunkett though.

Palmer had some good years with the Bengals and never was regarded as a complete bust and a wasted high first round pick as many have labeled Leinart. The Raiders also went out of their way to trade for Palmer, while Houston acquired Leinart for nothing. The Palmer analogy would work if Plunkett had suceeded with the 49ers after they acquired him from the Patriots, but they cut him.

 

[jim k]

Let me preface this by saying that Matt Leinart will probably turn out to be who we thought he was (to paraphrase Denny Green). Still, I see parallels to another QB who was considered a bust, but when given a similar opportunity, resurrected his career - Jim Plunkett.For those not old enough to remember, Plunkett was a 1st round pick of the Patriots who failed with them and then did nothing given a second opportunity with the 49ers. After being cut by SFO he was picked up by the Raiders in 1978 and warmed the bench for a couple seasons until Dan Pastorini was injured. The rest (as they say) was history, as Plunkett led his team to a Super Bowl that year (and no, I am not predicting the same outcome with Matty).Leinart failed with the Cards, but perhaps this was due more to immaturity, a sense of entitlement and being on the wrong team at the wrong time when Kurt Warner had a career renaissance. IIRC, statistically his rookie season was better than Flacco or Sanchez (not the best examples given how they have played this season, but used for a point of reference that he wasn't as horrible as most people remember). Yes, he did lose his job to Derek Anderson, but by that time he was in Whisenhunt's doghouse and the team just wanted to wash their hands of him.Perhaps Leinart has used his time as a backup productively, has matured, learned and will prove the conventional wisdom wrong, as did Plunkett. He doesn't have Plunkett's arm, but he does has some nice weapons in Andre Johnson and Owens. The odds are he will bust again, but I have rolled the dice and have picked him up in every Dynasty league that I have roster space, as I think the talent is still there and he could silence his critics with this new opportunity.

No.His skill level hurts the qb and wr position two ways:From the qb side: Leinart does not have pro qb arm strength, accuracy, anticipation or awareness. He peaked in the collegiate ranks and the pro game is too much for him.From the wr side: Watched him when he threw to Boldin (in his prime) and Fitzgerald. He consistently strung both of them up. It got to the point where they were rung up so often their heads were on a swivel and they developed alligator arms.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I don't know if Plunkett is the best example.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PlunJi00.htm

Nine year vet, six starting, three injured by teh time he got ot Oakland. He was AFC rookie of the year 1971, Leinart was a bust. Quarterbacking was different back then, not a lot of gaudy stats. The change came in `78 when they changed the defending rules. Archie Manning, drafted 2nd behind Plunkett, had his resurgance in 1978-1980 too (actually Manning was much, much better, he was the highest paid player in the league and he threw for considerable more yards & TDs than Plunkett). Even when winning Super Bowls Plunkett threw a lot of picks, he never really improved on that his whole career. Leinart's rookie year does look like Plunkett in that respect, very similar there (12 TD / 13 INT rookie year) but unlike him he did not stay in as the no. 1.

It would be a hard to find a Top 15 pick QB who basically got benched for most of his career.

Actually I wonder if Mark Sanchez is not a better comparison.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SancMa00.htm

If Houston goes run and defense heavy, which they were already doing under Schaub, I see no reason why Leinart cannot replicate Sanchez's "success", possibly even Sanchez's similar numbers in his last two years.

 

[azgroover]

Plunkett had been in the league for 9 years and had 87 career starts before the year he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Sure, his record as a starter was nothing to write home about (34-53), but he at least had a fair amount of experience.

Leinart has started 17 games and has gone 7-10 in 5 seasons prior to this one. I don't think their situations are all that similar.

I had forgotten that Ari barely gave Leinart a chance to be their franchise QB. 11 starts his rookie year and then 6 before he landed on IR. A resurgent Warner took over and that was it. Even before landing on IR, Wisenhunt was pulling that "rotating at QB" junk with both of them. Leinart might have completely untapped potential. As a Texan fan, I can dream I guess...

It wasn't just Whis, Leinart was Denny Green's guy and he gave Matt more than ample opportunity before giving up on him getting fired.

Fixed.

 

[squistion]

The New York Post also sees Leinart's situation as analogous.

Texans’ Leinart has 2nd chance to rejuvenate career

Last Updated: 7:03 AM, November 27, 2011

Jim Plunkett won a Heisman at Stanford in 1970, was the first overall pick of the 1971 draft, and was bounced from the Patriots to the 49ers to the Raiders. He was 33 years old when he won his first Super Bowl and 36 when he won his second.

It can be done. The NFL affords everyone an opportunity to be Lazarus as long as you pay the price and seize the moment. Kerry Collins flopped in Carolina and took the Giants to a Super Bowl. Kurt Warner came out of the Arena Football League to win a Super Bowl with **** Vermeil and the Rams. So there is hope for Matt Leinart when the first day of the rest of his NFL life begins today when he tries to lead the 7-3 Texans past the Jaguars and take the franchise to a place neither he nor they have been.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/getting_off_the_matt_ttROfmZXDwlSHwKGPntlUO

 

[Da Guru]

This could put Leinart in position for a nice payday. How many times have we seen this happen before.

Leinart will never be in better position to succeed than right now. Hopefully he is more mature, good o-line, has the best RB combo in the NFL, one of the best WRs coming back and solid 2-3 WRs, good TE options. If he fails now the guy just can`t play.

 

[firstseason1988]

This could put Leinart in position for a nice payday. How many times have we seen this happen before. Leinart will never be in better position to succeed than right now. Hopefully he is more mature, good o-line, has the best RB combo in the NFL, one of the best WRs coming back and solid 2-3 WRs, good TE options. If he fails now the guy just can`t play.

Yes, his last shot to rise to the occasion in a fantastic situation. Make or break for him personally, very intriguing.

 

[Bri]

new comparisons are even worse...maybe there just isn't one and we need to stop this nonsense.

Dude was a spoiled hollywood brat playing a tough man's game. He wasn't at all right for the game of football.

He's taken his lumps and IIRC even Grossman was ahead of him on their depth chart at one time.

I not only want to see what he can do, but also how he speaks after the game. If he sounds like a football player, I'm ready to be a fan. If he reminds me of that adam sandler kid whining for Voss water, he can probably kiss his NFL career goodbye.

 

[Raider Nation]

Well, it was a good run.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Max Hall, Derek Anderson and John Skelton > Leinart

You can go ahead and add TJ Yates too I think.

 

[Saint]

Well, it was a good run.

And another train comes to a screeching crash.

 

[flapgreen]

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Broken Collarbone, DONE FOR THE SEASON...Jason LaConfera

 

[Breesisdaman]

Broken Collarbone, DONE FOR THE SEASON...Jason LaConfera

The Texans should have taken Orton. Now their season is likely over if they have to roll with the rookie QB. My first round pick Andre Johnson now gets to go back to my bench where he has resided most of the season.

 

[dollarbill13]

Can Rodgers challenge Leinart as the Pac-10's best QB?

 

[Getinthemix]

Broken Collarbone, DONE FOR THE SEASON...Jason LaConfera

The Texans should have taken Orton. Now their season is likely over if they have to roll with the rookie QB. My first round pick Andre Johnson now gets to go back to my bench where he has resided most of the season.

Houston never had a shot at him. KC was before them in waivers.

 

[coolnerd]

Broken Collarbone, DONE FOR THE SEASON...Jason LaConfera

The Texans should have taken Orton. Now their season is likely over if they have to roll with the rookie QB. My first round pick Andre Johnson now gets to go back to my bench where he has resided most of the season.

KC had a better waiver position, so they never had a shot at Orton.

 

[Sweet Love]

Anyone out there who could hold fort? I saw Yates play in college, and while he was "fine", considering he had Nicks, Little and Tate as WRs, he should have been better.

 

[Breesisdaman]

Favre?

 

[Raider Nation]

Pastorini?

 

[David Yudkin]

Patrick Ramsey?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Favre?

It's time to pick up the Bat-phone

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Matt Leinart CUT.

HOUSTON — Matt Leinart says he is done in Houston.

Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, signed with the Texans in September 2010 after he was cut by Arizona. The quarterback thanked Houston owner Bob McNair and the team on his Twitter account for giving him the opportunity to play.

“I will miss the Texans fans and most importantly my teammates,” Leinart wrote. “I have no time to get down, focus is on getting healthy and being ready to go again!”

Leinart played in only two games for Houston. He finally got a chance to play after Matt Schaub broke his foot last season, but Leinart broke his left collarbone in the first half against Jacksonville on Nov. 27 and went on injured reserve.

 

[saintfool]

i think he's headed to Seattle now. he didn't hurt his value with his stint in Houston and it's not like the Seahawks are loving life with Tavaris. If they can't get a FA of note or make a play on one of the more talented rookie QBs then Leinart could legitimately compete for the starting gig there.

 

[biju]

i think he's headed to Seattle now. he didn't hurt his value with his stint in Houston and it's not like the Seahawks are loving life with Tavaris. If they can't get a FA of note or make a play on one of the more talented rookie QBs then Leinart could legitimately compete for the starting gig there.

You're probably right that he would be a good acquisition for the Seahawks, but while the fans in Seattle aren't exactly expecting Tarvaris to be the future, I really think he's not as bad as people make him out to be. He's a great bridge while our young O-line grows at the very least. Still, Leinart can probably beat out Tarvaris if they are on even ground going into OTAs.

 

[flapgreen]

What career?