Arizona Cardinals Matt Leinart vs. Denver Broncos Jay Cutler

by cgolden on Jun 10, 2008 11:15 AM MDT in News Comment 15 comments

Yesterday we looked at the 2006 draft that brought Matt Leinart to the Arizona Cardinals but there was one thing that I hadn't thought about in a while when I looked back at that draft. It had somewhat slipped my mind that Jay Cutler was picked immediately after Matt. At the time I didn't give it a second thought because I viewed Leinart as the superior quarterback, as I think most Cardinals fans did. If you look at Leinart's pre-draft scouting report versus Cutler's scouting report, both would seem to have solid attributes even though the same question marks still hang on their career to this point.

Their pro careers though have hardly been reflective of their respective draft status. Leinart struggled mightily in his second season after a somewhat promising rookie season. Cutler on the other hand has played two productive seasons and has solidified himself as the Broncos future at quarterback. There are have been external forces that have effected their short careers though. Leinart has had to deal with a coaching change, learning a two new play books and playing with an ineffective running game. One could also argue though that Cutler's weapons aren't even comparable to Fitz and Boldin. In the end it's too early to make any definitive grade on their careers, but at least to this point Cutler's been the better quarterback.

The way I see it: Some people consider this a 'make or break' season for Leinart. I won't go that far but I do expect Leinart to make significant strides in his second season under Whisenhunt. I can almost give him a pass on 2007 considering that he was learning a new offense and since he had one of the worst running games in the NFL. I still believe that Matt has a higher 'ceiling' than Cutler and I think he'll have a better career when all is said and done, but this blog isn't about what I think. So my questions to Arizona Cardinals fans: Would you trade Leinart for Cutler today? Do you think Cutler could have performed better than Leinart given the same circumstances or should a young QB not be expected to learn a new system that quickly? Would Leinart have been as successful as Cutler if he'd been in Denver's run oriented system? And lastly at the end of their careers, who do you think will have had the better career?

		G	GS	PCT	YARDS	Y/A	TD	INT	SACKS	QB RATING
Leinart	2007	5	5	53.6	647	5.8	2	4	4	61.9
	2006	12	11	56.8	2,547	6.8	11	12	21	74
-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Cutler	2007	16	16	63.6	3,497	7.5	20	14	27	88.1
	2006	5	5	59.1	1,001	7.3	9	5	13	88.5

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Cutler is the better QB… I thought so then and do so now!!! Leinart had a GREAT team at USC and didn’t have to make plays. Cutler learned early on at Vandy how to make plays. Leinart has questionable decision making and a weak arm. Cutler has a very strong arm, playmaking ability and decent decision making.

by Strohman on Jun 15, 2008 5:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t know much about Cutler coming out of Vandy but so far he’s been impressive. I’m still holding out hope that Leinart shows significant improvement in his second season under Whiz, which I think he’s very capable of doing.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jun 15, 2008 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to hold out hope, but I wouldn’t hold my breath! LOL Is Whiz a QB guru, is the QB coach a QB guru? Don’t think so, the only person he can rely on for that is Warner, and Warner wants the #1 job, not to mention deserves it!

by Strohman on Jun 15, 2008 8:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little late to this...

A few things still need to be determined about Leinart, and only time will tell when it comes to the answers…

First, Is Leinart completely committed to doing what it takes to play Quarterback, at a high level, in the NFL. I’m not talking about pictures surfacing in the off-season, but on a day-to-day basis from July to January.

Second, How will he continue to handle the QB controversy that will swirl around the Cards as long as Kurt Warner is wearing a dark red uni. One thing Cutler did well was handle the Jake Plummer ordeal with nothing but class.

Third, Did Leinart actually plateau while at USC? After the great Jr. year, Leinart didn’t really “improve” his Sr. season, though his numbers were still excellent.

As for the Cutler side of things, there is no doubt that he could care less about anything other than being the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. He is already a leader in the locker room and most importantly he has the complete respect of his teammates. Can the same be said for Leinart in the Cardinal locker room. especially with Warner holding a clipboard? While this might not be a make-or-break year for Leinart overall, this might be his last-best chance in Arizona.

-TSG

www.milehighreport.com

by John Bena on Jun 19, 2008 12:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll second the above

and add that I think it wouldn’t be fair to compare Leinart and Cutler as players. To be clear, I truly believe Cutler is that rare “franchise” QB who can take on the heaviest loads the team can put on him. Its based partly on his history, partly on his raw production, partly on his locker-room and off field attitude. He just seems to get “it.”

But it would be fair to compare what they can do for their respective teams, and in that vein I think they are VERY close. Leinart has weapons, he just needs to drive that baby and not hit anything. But as Guru states above, the real danger with Leinart is that he might not BE on a Cards team, or relegated to a backup position far too soon, if the QB controversy takes a turn for the worse. That is the step that he needs to focus on: Get On the Field!!

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 19, 2008 1:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leinart Has Weapons...

I think any QB in the league would love to have the hands of Fitz and Boldin catching for them. Warner in my opinion really isn’t that great. (At least not anymore). However, the cardinal receivers make anyones stats look great.

Back to Leinart: Half of the players from his USC team is now in the NFL. It makes me wonder if the difference maker really were on that team. Was Leinart really that great in College or did the other players around him give him that professional shine. Hard to say. If Leinart is struggling with two of the finest recievers in the league, again makes me me wonder.

To Cutlers credit, He played behind a very banged up offensive line and one of the worst defensives units the broncos have ever let on the field. The run game was a mix of at least 3 different starter during the season… collectively they did ok running the ball but it was a poor year for the broncos rushers none the less. #1 receiver Walker didn’t play much of the year and when he returned was a none contributer. B. Marshall step up nicely and B. Stokley admirerdly did his best against the #1 corner.

While I am a die hard broncos fan… I did live in phx for 5 years. I do like the cards. I only say this so it doesn’t seem that I am a cards hater. I actually have high hopes for the Cards. In fact – I watch Jake the Snake play at ASU then the Cards and loved him in Denver. But as this is a question of which QB is better at this moment, I thought I had better back it up a little with my comments above.

Cutler is hands down the favorite for the selection right now. I wouldn’t count Lleinart out from becoming one of the elite QB of the league yet… however, his window is closing in AZ if he can’t win the starting job.

While it is nice to have two good QB’s it is better to have one great one and hope he never gets hurt. And I think we have a great one with Cutler.

Best of luck with your season. I for one will be cheering for you when I am not watching our newly improved Orange Crush.

by YellowStoneBronco on Jun 20, 2008 8:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

all very good points

Leinart would do well to look at how Cutler has handled himself so far. Supposedly he’s showed a renewed dedication to the his conditioning and mechanics this off season, so we’ll see. I’m still holding out hope that we’ll see ‘franchise QB’ play out of him in his second year under Whisenhunt’s system.

I do wonder if Leinart would have regressed so badly last season if he hadn’t been trying to learn a new system. In the end though, the adversity may have been what it took to make him focus on football.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jun 19, 2008 1:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Injury didnt help

Plus I dont like the fact that Wisenhunt would put in Warner for 2 minute drills and some goaline plays. I dont think that helps, especially a young QB. If the cards truly want him to be to future put him in and stick with him for the entire season. Thats the only way he will improve. I think he will be a good QB, surely better than that guy in Tennessee. But wisenhunt needs to quit jacking with him

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 19, 2008 2:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

you do have a point

I hated the ‘rotation’ at the time and I’m don’t think Matt handled it well but looking back at it, I think it showed Matt they he can be benched. If he had started the entire year and had marginal results, I’m not so sure we hear reports about how he worked his butt off this offseason. Whiz did state the job is his to lose and to this point he hasn’t done anything to screw it up. Whiz may screw with him during camp by letting Warner run with the first team from time to time but a QB has to be mentally tough anyways, if Matt can’t handle that, we have much bigger problems.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jun 19, 2008 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Matt

I want to see him do well. I just dont want him to be thought of third out of that QB class. I want him to linked with Cutler. He does have the tools he just needs to show it. Plus with all the crap the media put on him this offseason with him private life I just hate to think he is under too much pressure for an organization that could use some good karma. But I am rooting for him. I have seen what he can do at USC. Granted its a different type of game in the pros but I believe he has the tools to be a good QB. Hopefully as good as Carson Palmer

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 19, 2008 2:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I'd be ok with him being as good as Palmer

As long as the Cards end up being a better team than the Bengals, hey but first we have to get to the playoffs. lol

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jun 19, 2008 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This could be the year

But I am sure you are tired of the same projections.

Also were you glad to see Plummer go

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 20, 2008 12:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Such a tough question

As much as I loved Jake for all of his intangibles and of course the lone playoff win since I’ve been alive, he was absolutely maddening at times. You guys really only saw his Arizona form it for one year (2004) or maybe two considering his last season, but it seemed like every year was like that when he was here. It’s really hard to love a QB who averages 19 interceptions a season, never completed 60% of his passes or had a QB rating above 80. All that being said, I’ve never been so entertained watching Cardinals football.

He had a great nickname that added to his legacy.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jun 20, 2008 2:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was something

I did enjoy the fact he was unpredictable, but I dont think he knew what he was in for going to Denver. Having to live in the Elway shadow. I think it finally took its toll on him. He had a bad game in the 2005 AFC Title game and I think that was the end of him. Too bad. But I dont blame him not wanting to play in Tampa. But he did beat the Cowboys. Just remember this the Cardinals have won more playoff games than the Cowboys in the past 10 years!

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 20, 2008 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs