The Leinart rumor
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 8:39 am in Oakland Raiders.
Should be a link up soon for an online chat today at noon, at which time I’m sure I’ll be asked about the ESPN report linking Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart to the Raiders.
(Here’s the link to the chat . . . )
Here’s what I think:
– Got an e-mail tip from someone saying they knew someone else who said Jason Campbell’s wrist injury was more serious than the Raiders were letting on and the Leinart option was being explored. Too flimsy to write without corroboration. Didn’t get corroboration. (I’ll only mention it now because it was reported somewhere else).
– Campbell was throwing the ball, seemingly without pain, during the media window the very next day, which seemed to indicate the situation wasn’t dire after all.
– Al Davis, at one time, liked Leinart. Someone in the room the day Art Shell was fired says Davis blamed the former coach for taking Michael Huff over Leinart (or more accurately talking Davis into drafting Huff over Leinart).
– Leinart has given no indication _ zero _ that he’s a top-flight NFL quarterback prospect. The Cardinals tried to give him the job in 2008, but he was so awful during a preseason game in Oakland (4-for-12, 3 interceptions) he lost his job. You could say the Raiders were indirectly responsible for putting the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, because Leinart’s replacement was Kurt Warner.
At this point, Leinart looks like a quarterback who was carried to his prospect status as a collegian by a stunningly talented supporting cast at USC. Think Gino Toretta and Ken Dorsey at Miami.
– At no point in his career has Leinart had a game which equaled the one Bruce Gradkowski put together last season in Pittsburgh. He threw for 405 yards once, but it was a loss in which he threw a pair of interceptions.
Gradkowski over Leinart? In a heartbeat. Kyle Boller, too. Maybe even Colt Brennan.
– Jay Glazer, the Fox Sports reporter who works as a mixed martial arts trainer with Leinart, told the Dan Patrick Show (per Profootballtalk.com) Leinart wants to start someplace. He feels he’s “done enough” to be a starter.
So Leinart is apparently delusional as well.
– Leinart is making nearly $2.5 million this year and scheduled to make more than $7 million next year.
Unless Leinart would be willing to take a pay cut, and the Cardinals were willing to accept a Raiders overture something along the lines of, “Hey, we’ve got this Alex Daniels guy you may have heard of” then the dots on this story don’t connect in terms of Leinart being a Raider.
If they did connect, it would be their worst decision since the Javon Walker-DeAngelo Hall-Gibril Wilson spending spree.
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September 1st, 2010 at 8:40 am
1st
September 1st, 2010 at 8:42 am
2nd?
September 1st, 2010 at 8:43 am
just say no Al.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:43 am
lienert is Jamarcus spelled backwards… why isnt there rumors of the raiders pickin up mawae or a WR??? we dont need a QB… i think we have some quality players at QB
September 1st, 2010 at 8:44 am
Jason Campbell and Mat Leinart are both the next Jim Plunkett. Also, Gradkowski is the next Gannon. That’s why I hate him.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:44 am
bull c*ck
September 1st, 2010 at 8:45 am
Another first-round talent, Al needs to get his hands on!!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:46 am
“So Leinart is apparently delusional as well.”
He’ll fit right in here.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:47 am
How many more QB’s do we need?
September 1st, 2010 at 8:47 am
Jason Campbell’s wrist injury was more serious than the Raiders were letting on and the Leinart option was being explored.
***
how soon before Al Davis calls Jerry Mac a professional liar?
September 1st, 2010 at 8:47 am
oh no another first round talent that Al can’t resist. darn it.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:48 am
If they did connect, it would be their worst decision since the Javon Walker-DeAngelo Hall-Gibril Wilson spending spree.
……………
LOL. I remember that.
‘can’t blame Al. He gave Kiffin the weapons.”
September 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
Gradkowski over Leinart? In a heartbeat. Kyle Boller, too. Maybe even Colt Brennan.
***
now we’re talkin’
Art Shell was right.
Huff > Leinart
September 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
QB is not the problem on this team…and btw I thought Cable was going to name the starting center after yesterday’s practice….anyone know if he did.
Veldheer PLEEZ, we should move Samson to FB since he’s smaller and gets abused on the nose.
Keeping on this theme hope to god some quality on the Oline is available after cutdowns, we can use help/depth at all 5 line positions.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
Gradkowski in the last preseason game looked better than he did all last year. The guy wasn’t playing to be the second string qb and with our much improved offense maybe he is the next Gannon and his receivers flat out dropped 4 passes!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:51 am
If they did connect, it would be their worst decision since the Javon Walker-DeAngelo Hall-Gibril Wilson spending spree.
***
Jerry Mac left out Kwame Harris & Tommy Kelly!
*puke*
September 1st, 2010 at 8:51 am
Alex Daniels will be a more productive pro than Leinart
I re-watched the game last night for S&G’s, some thoughts on the offense:
The Raiders have been overcoming offensive penalties well in the pre-season so far.
Ford is really fast, has alot of wiggle and gets the tough yards, but isnt getting open in the passing game yet, hopefully he’ll learn.
Brandon Meyers stinks, I hope they are still searching for a decent compliment to Miller.
DHB and Murphy still have very inconsistent hands
Gradkowski moves the ball downfield like a machine.
DMC runs way too high and often off-balance through traffic. I was a big fan of drafting him and even bought a jersey, but I will not keep lying to myself about him ever becoming a running back in the NFL. His form is just atrocius. Head up, shoulders back, he often starts high-stepping through traffic and loses his balance without being touched. Michael Bennett is a much better HB than McFadden, which is sad for McFadden, not an endorsement of Bennett.
Eric Pears stinks as a Tackle, we need a better back-up.
Todd Watkins has a lot of trouble tracking balls that are coming over his shoulders, that is bad news for a Raider reciever with all of the Go routes. I think he finally gets cut this season.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:51 am
All i’m saying in regards to Huff is,
make a PLAY, i don’t care if you grab his leg and get pulled downfield, shoelace tackle, take out his knees, whatever, just stop the guy from getting to the house.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:53 am
Just say No! And I liked Leinart, once…
September 1st, 2010 at 8:53 am
the last great Raider FS was Rod Woodson, who was an 11 time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champ and now Hall of Famer …
and oddly enough when he played great (8 INT’s) for us, we had Sam Adams & John Parrella at DT.
Rod now helps coach the defense at Valley Christian Senior High in Dublin, along with (guess who?) John Parrella.
it all starts up front fellas
September 1st, 2010 at 8:53 am
Jason Campbell is out 3-4 weeks (maybe more),
that would be the only explanation to this runor!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:54 am
Leinart is the next Jim Plunk!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:54 am
# RaiderRockstar Says:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:51 am
Jerry Mac left out Kwame Harris & Tommy Kelly!
*puke*
…………
And to think, we still have the same GM who signed those guys.
*puke*
September 1st, 2010 at 8:55 am
Bruce & Kyle can get it done for a few weeks while JCamp recovers …
If the great Gradkowski stays healthy and starts 2-0 everybody will be shining JFB’s shoes!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
If that happens…I’m betting on the Raiders to win it all!!! LOL…just kidding guys!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
If Campbell is out 3-4 weeks, Gradkowski is READY! He is hungry, and appears to have the chops to be the trigger man for this offense. He can’t launch balls downfield with the same gusto as Campbell, but he can destroy teams with screens, play-actions and the occasional well placed deep ball.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
Oakland is always part of the rumors. Many teams looking to deal players call the Raiders as Al normally has a fairly good feel for market value… and beyond. I think our QB situation is just fine.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
Got an e-mail tip from someone saying they knew someone else who said Jason Campbell’s wrist injury was more serious than the Raiders were letting on…
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Norco Boob? LMAO.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
rumor….my bad!
It’s gotta be the wake n’ bake.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:02 am
the “vets” Al Davis added this year: Jason Campbell, Kyle Boller, Colt Brennan, Rock Cartwright, Michael Bennett, Yamon Figurs, John Owens, Daniel Loper, Chris Cooper, John Henderson, Quentin Groves, Kamerion Wimbley …
we inherited the existing contracts of Groves & Wimbley (by trade) and upped JCamp’s deal and extended it out 1 year since he’s our starting QB
besides that most of these guys got vet minimum deals and half of them probably won’t make the 53 man roster!
Al Davis went frugal in an uncapped year. Who would have guessed?
September 1st, 2010 at 9:03 am
All Grads does is make plays, plain and simple…
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
# Bobby Bushay Says:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
Oakland is always part of the rumors. Many teams looking to deal players call the Raiders as Al normally has a fairly good feel for market value… and beyond. I think our QB situation is just fine.
…………….
No, Al’s an idiot who will usually give up draft picks for their junk. All they have to do is butter Al up and say he’s a genius to the press. Belichick is the master at this. Whenever he has an aging veteran declining in production he always gives Al a call because he knows Al will give more for that player than any other team.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
Very True Rockstar…but that is what scares me…Al has ben QUIET!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
BBB, you’re dropping the science this morning. Agree with all of your observations. I’m just now finally coming around to admitting to myself that DMAC simply isn’t that good.
And your point about Watkins and over-the-shoulder catches is spot on. How many times has he sort of quit on routes and been running backward when if he’d only have keep running the ball would have hit him in the hands? Maybe he has a glass eye.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
I’m content with having Bruce Almighty as our starting QB, in other words…I’m geeked!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
Yep, and Carmelo is comin to Sacramento Kings too.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
Excuse me sir, but I have a rock in my shoe!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:05 am
Mornin, R8, Hwnrdr, Bo, RR, MR, NATION.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:05 am
Maybe he has a glass eye.
***
trade Nick Miller for Joe Aska!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:06 am
Maybe he has a glass eye.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
LOL. Joe Aska-esque.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Al Davis stays relevant by letting Bill Belichick crap on his face once a year. Ha ha!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:08 am
Oh, hey MR… or should I say Mr. Raider Carnac. Did you have time to answer ANY of my wuestions yet? I can re-post if you are un-able to find them yourself.
My bet is you will not, cause you got NOTHIN.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:08 am
Al Davis has a glass brain. That’s empty. Ha ha.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:08 am
How many times has he sort of quit on routes and been running backward when if he’d only have keep running the ball would have hit him in the hands?
——————————————————
Never happened. The former QB was always off target, right RRS?
September 1st, 2010 at 9:08 am
I’d take John Bowie over Leinart.
JUST SAY NO, Al.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:09 am
Ooooooh…. I got “nothin”. Ladies and Gentlemen, Apollo Creed has just entered the room.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:10 am
Belichick is the master at this. Whenever he has an aging veteran declining in production he always gives Al a call because he knows Al will give more for that player than any other team.
——————————————————-
Who else have we picked up from NE besides Seymour?
September 1st, 2010 at 9:10 am
I dont know what it is with Watkins, he has great hands when he is facing the QB on slants and come-back routes, but anytime he has his back to the ball, its like the Keystone cops out there. I still remember a missed touchdown he had in the last pre-season where the QB sailed placed one perfectly in the endzone over his head and he just completely lost the ball and slowed down. It was the most awkward missed catch I have ever seen, have never trusted him since.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:11 am
Never happened. The former QB was always off target, right RRS?
***
RIGHT!
where is JaWalrus anyways?
September 1st, 2010 at 9:12 am
Huff should play CB, NB, and FS on passing downs only.
We need to start Mitchell and Branch at Ss. we need Ss who can tackle.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:12 am
Morning Raccoon!
Carmelo to the Lakers!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:13 am
new post!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:13 am
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Al Davis stays relevant by letting Bill Belichick crap on his face once a year.
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Keep your fetish fantasies to yourself, weirdo.
Your Davis fixation is a well established fact, as is your lack of sexual morals (i.e. cousin hustling). Please lets not mix your two biggest pathologies, at least not here in public.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
IT’S ALL OVER ESPN!!!!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:15 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5518740
September 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
Did I miss something??? When did they mention anything regarding a time table for Cambell to return? The guy hurt his wrist… continued to play in a meaningless game… threw the ball at practice the following day. You don’t do those things if it’s an injury that is going to keep him out of the line up. He didn’t practice on Tues. It was a padded practice. I’m sure he probably won’t play Thurs. a Real meaningless game. If he does it will be a scripted drive that consists of hand offs and screen passes. Even still … Bruce Gradkowski looked sharp the other night. Hit his recievers in stride and on the money. Probably not missing anything with him in there. He seems to be one of those back ups that looks to be ready to step up to be a starter. We probably are going to get some teams taking a long look at him for a good trade. Boller looked good enough to be a #2 qb. Gradkowski is probably a better qb then at least 3 or 4 teams opening day starter.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:18 am
maan, al needs to be on the phone with the chargers discussing a trade for vincent jackson.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:19 am
The Real MaddenRaider Says:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:09 am
Ooooooh…. I got “nothin”. Ladies and Gentlemen, Apollo Creed has just entered the room.
***************************
Told ya.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:23 am
I’m confused??????
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/22206/great-debate-would-raiders-win-nfc-west
September 1st, 2010 at 9:28 am
Randy Hanson has a glass jaw.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:30 am
No Leinart … please.
September 1st, 2010 at 10:28 am
That was an excellent blog post Jerry. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
September 1st, 2010 at 10:32 am
we need to go after Vincent Jackson do a 3 way deal tell seatle to get him and then trade with seatle
September 1st, 2010 at 11:02 am
http://www.facebook.com/Raiders
September 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am
“Schefter Makes Untrue Statements Regarding Raiders: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is once again making untrue statements about The Oakland Raiders, this time regarding Matt Leinart. The Raiders are very happy about their quarterback situation.”
September 1st, 2010 at 11:42 am
Sooooooo sooooorrrryyyy Leinart.
His services are not needed here in Oakland. The QB situation is set for at least two more years IMO.
Looks like the Raiders did make the right decision to pass on “Hollywood” Matt Leinart and take Huff ahead of him.
Even though the team made up for that by taking JaBustas.
September 1st, 2010 at 11:59 am
we don’t need another overated ex trojan,mike wiliams,darnell bing ring a bell?
September 1st, 2010 at 11:59 am
whatis theover on chris johnson rushing yards for week 1?160 perhaps
September 1st, 2010 at 12:28 pm
What we need is an offensive line
September 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Schefter-Makes-Untrue-Statements-Regarding-Raiders/1b7d669a-7d7a-4e05-be4e-3719312a9320
read this