Matthew Stephen Leinart, is a professional football player who at present plays for the Houston Texans team as a quarterback. He is also known as Matt and has played college ball with the University of Southern California. He was a first round 2006 NFL Draft pick and selected by the Arizona Cardinals at the10th overall.
Leinart won the 2004 Heisman Trophy, Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Award. In 2005, he received the Walter Camp Award. By the end of his college career, the quarterback was 37-2 as a starter. He completed 64.8-percent of his passes going 807 of 1,245 for a total of 10,693 yards. He tossed 99 touchdowns and just 23 interceptions, averaging one pick in every 54 passes. He’s USC’s all-time leader in completion percentage and touchdown passes.
After being drafted, Leinart, after holding out until August 8, 2006, signed a $51 million six-year contract with the Cards. In two seasons with Arizona, the QB has played in 17 games, completing 56.0% (274 of 489) of his throws. He’s passed for a total of 3,194 yards, hitting for 13 touchdowns and throwing 16 interceptions. His QB rating is 71.2.
| Team |
Houston Texans
|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Born | 11 May 1983 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Team History | |
|
Houston Texans
|
2010 - present |
Arizona Cardinals
|
2006 - 2009 |
Leinart possesses a fine work ethic and is a natural leader who is calm under pressure. Like many athletes who live to compete, he wants the ball when the game is on the line. He stands six-foot-five and weighs 230 pounds, making him an ideal sized NFL QB. He’s a skilled passer, possessing long, strong arms and big hands, who is able to get the ball to receivers in tight coverage. Leinart ably reads defenses and has a quick release and excellent arm action. He’s not the most mobile athlete, making him a poor scrambler. Also, he needs to learn to make better decisions, getting rid of the ball rather than trying to force it. Leinart
