The Rise of Matt Leinart and Neil Rackers

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 7:39 AM MST

The time has come for the question to be answered: Is Matt Leinart NFL playoff quality? Many in Arizona cheered and jeered at the mention of his name. Then, almost overnight, the starting rug was yanked from under his feet and he was exiled to Houston along with fellow castaway Neil Rackers. The QB and Kicker were ushered out of town under a cloud of questionable talent and nerve. Good move or delibitating mistake for the Arizona Cardinals?

The Cardinals are still trying to find a starting Quarterback and the replacement kicker has lost one game and has less than 70% FGM and is ranked 30th among kickers.

Matt Leinart will get the start on a very good Houston Texans team that is 1st in their division and lead by two wins with six games to play. Personally I have never questioned the former SC talent, having watched him play in college first hand. He had a good team and great O line at the time and was successful.

In Arizona, his O line was questionable and injuries hampered his progress. Kurt Warner stepped up and overshadowed the young QB with HOF skills and a trip to the SB. When Warner retired, the heir apparent and Warner understudy, never was alloted the opportunity to prove his value.

This week Mr. Leinart gets that chance. If he is able to keep his new team on balance, Matt Leinart should guide his team to the playoffs.

Neil Rackers is ranked 7th among kickers and has close to a 90% FGM.

It will be interesting to see if both of these Whisenhunt castaways find themselves not only in the playoffs but are able to make an appearance in the Superbowl. In my view, the Arizona Head Coach perceived Leinart and Rackers as expendible rubbish, not fit for his team.

If these two reach the Superbowl, by leading and scoring, while helping their new team to execute smoothly, it will be damning to Whisenhunts credibility, as not only a judge of NFL talent, but as a viable HC.

Did Whiz throw out the baby with the bath water in tossing Rackers and Leinart? Will a Texans playoff run to the Superbowl expose Whisenhunt as a bust as a HC?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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Comments

Well, first of all

They aren’t going to the super bowl, then might not even make the playoffs.

Leinart is really similar to kolb, except he’s worse! The dancing in the pocket, the fluttering passes…ugh I cringe just thinking about it!

Matty wouldn’t have done any better than DA last year, he just wouldve cost us way more.

And Neil was too pricey for us, we didn’t exactly kick him to the curb. I don’t think you can justify paying him big bucks when he can’t hit FGs at the end of the game…

by forget on Nov 15, 2011 11:19 AM MST via mobile reply actions

Matt and Neil have an extra week to prepare.

I have a feeling they will both contribute in their own way. Jacksonville will be a good feeling out game for Leinart and help tune him up for the final leg of the season. A loss would be devastating to his image.

Good luck Matt!

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 1:27 PM MST up reply actions

I wouldn't say Matty Boi

is worse than Kolb.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Nov 15, 2011 5:28 PM MST up reply actions

I wouldn't say he is better either

Leinart at best looks like he could be a game manager. Maybe with all the talent around him it will boost him like at USC.

Jessesb all grown up

by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 15, 2011 8:12 PM MST up reply actions

The Glory Days: Part II

Starring Matt Leinart as Keith Stone with Neil Rackers playing the part of Chip Shotts.

Nov. 27th at a TV set near you.

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 8:32 PM MST up reply actions

If you were going to bitch about Rackers, last year would have been the time to do it

This is old news.

by tw3kr on Nov 15, 2011 2:24 PM MST reply actions

Not bitching about Rackers

I’m bitching about the 2011 Cardinals as built, to date.

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 3:23 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

You're trying to make Whiz look bad this year for decisions that affected last year's team

by tw3kr on Nov 15, 2011 10:00 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

has he?

top tier defenses: ravens, steelers…..cardinals.

I mean maybe it’s on it’s way to being better than average.

by sunsfang on Nov 17, 2011 2:34 PM MST up reply actions

Im not saying it's currently top tier but we have young players all over and if they play the way they did Sunday

consistently like that then they will be a top tier

by Alex Mann on Nov 17, 2011 7:42 PM MST up reply actions

The team wanted to bring Rackers back

and had a contract offer I believe. He balked and the team went with Feely. By the way, we knew all about Rackers — absolutely awesome until the game was on the line.

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by Jess Root on Nov 15, 2011 3:11 PM MST reply actions

That’s a bit of an over statement. All kickers have their moments, (Cards verses Oakland 2010).

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 3:26 PM MST up reply actions

I thought it was just his agent who was trying to get a better deal

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 15, 2011 3:49 PM MST up reply actions

I'm just intrigued to watch what happens

Houston’s got a pretty good team, hopefully a healthy Andre Johnson back, and a bit of a cushion in their overall mostly average division (1 good, 2 average, and a tire fire). He’s set up to have all the success in the world, and it’s up to him to run with it. Succeed or fail, this is gonna be fun to watch. Time for the finger pointing and the “I told you so” crowd to start coming out in full force!

by SenSurround on Nov 15, 2011 3:42 PM MST reply actions

The World is on Leinarts shoulders. I hope his knees don’t buckle.

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 3:50 PM MST up reply actions

How is this the rise of Leinart?

We haven’t even seen him play. And Rackers always jokes at the end of the game, a la GB.

by Alex Mann on Nov 15, 2011 4:10 PM MST reply actions

chokes* excuse me

by Alex Mann on Nov 15, 2011 4:10 PM MST up reply actions

From Backup to Starter

As for Rackers, he may be playoff bound with another chance at redemption. ("I am not a choker!)

Both guys are edging up.

by AZ retiree on Nov 15, 2011 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

Leinart did that quite often on this team and always blew his shot...

by Alex Mann on Nov 15, 2011 4:31 PM MST up reply actions

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 16, 2011 12:12 PM MST reply actions 3 recs

My kinda guy!

Could be worse!

by AZ retiree on Nov 16, 2011 12:21 PM MST up reply actions

Alright

If this isn’t green I have lost all faith in the world. That picture is just awesome. I was hoping it would be the beer bong pic but this works just as well.

by Airwave on Nov 16, 2011 1:48 PM MST up reply actions

I saw it on the Texans blog

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 16, 2011 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

I hadn't seen it but I saw some other sweet Matt pictures

Including him feeding a Texans mascot the good ol’ Matty Beer Bong! And some Matty Light beer hahahaha so good.

by Airwave on Nov 16, 2011 3:39 PM MST up reply actions

There is a KSK post with him in it too

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 16, 2011 3:45 PM MST up reply actions