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09/04/10 02:30:00
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09/04 14:25 CDT Arizona Cardinals release quarterback Matt Leinart
Arizona Cardinals release quarterback Matt Leinart
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- 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 game 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.
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