Why Does Everyone Hate Matt Leinart?

Leinart played his first preseason game as a starter, having made just one real start since 2007. His performance was indifferent. Nonetheless, Dan Bickley already had his knives sharpened and waiting.

"Leinart’s performance was so balky in a 19-16 victory that he actually played three series and was on the field in the second quarter. Though he rallied to make some nice throws and finished with decent statistics, it was a scoreless and somewhat unnerving performance, especially with the lack of alternatives in the building."

A bit harsh for his first preseason series. Apparently, it also warranted ad hominem attacks.

"Leinart is not a great practice player. He’s laconic, slow-moving and rarely exudes the kind of fire one expects from the position. He’s a bright-light, big-game kind of guy, which is why many of us were hoping for a more-inspiring performance in his 2010 debut."

A great practice player? What does that even mean?  Bickley also blatantly distorts a quotation for good measure.

"“There is just a different mind-set knowing that I am going to be out there Week 1 and be the leader,” Leinart said on Page 31 of the team’s game-day publication. Considering Leinart’s mixed history, such a claim seems presumptuous, maybe even preposterous. In his first series against the Houston Texans on Saturday night, he tripped over his own feet, leading to a fumbled exchange with running back Tim Hightower. Then he froze in the pocket, and was promptly sacked by Mario Williams."

Sadly, I don’t have Page 31 of the game-day publication for the Cardinals’ preseason game. But, what is the more likely interpretation of Leinart’s comment: Leinart saying he has changed the team’s mindset or Leinart saying his approach and his relationship with the team has changed? That seems like (a) a cliche and (b) an unassuming statement of fact. I’m not sure how that’s “presumptuous.”

Leinart has not proven himself on the field. He has not been given the chance to do so. He had a mediocre rookie season after assuming the starting job. He was hurt early in his second year. He has made one start since.  Yes, he may not be Kurt Warner from 2008 and 2009. Few people are. Warner will be a hall of famer.  He’s 27, the same age Kurt Warner was when he made it to the NFL.

His personal life has come under scrutiny, but what great sins has he committed? He enjoyed being a celebrity in his early 20s in Los Angeles. So would most. He fathered a child out of wedlock, meaning he (gasp!) had pre-marital sex. It happens. Contraception isn’t full-proof. He was photographed, during the off-season, partying with young women and alcohol. Shocking.

So Leinart is “laconic,” “slow-moving,” fathered a child and enjoys being a celebrity. Minus the beer bong, you could make that exact characterization of Tom Brady. In fact, you could claim Brady has been worse. He dated Tara Reid! Tara effing Reid!

There are plenty of reasons not to like Matt Leinart, most of them relate to where he matriculated. However, he deserves a chance to prove himself.  Rooting for him to fail from the first snaps of preseason is obscene.

[Leinart’s Faux Hawk via Getty]