Plus rookie holdouts, Vick and the Packers and more news. Matt Bowen
Could we really see Matt Leinart fall all the way to No. 3 on the Cardinals’ depth chart after training camp? After reading reports from Yahoo! Sports, it’s apparently a possibility if head coach Ken Whisenhunt lives up to his word and gives Brian St. Pierre a shot at the No. 2 spot behind Kurt Warner.
APMatt Leinart
Is this a failed project for the Cards if it happens? Maybe, but we also have to realize that Arizona has to put some pressure on Leinart. Yes, Warner is without a doubt the man in the huddle at Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean this squad can forget about Leinart. He still has to learn and he still has to develop, because the bottom line is that he’s not good enough right now to challenge for the starting job.
It’s time for the former Heisman Trophy winner to play to his potential because when there’s talk about Leinart falling to the bottom of the depth chart, it’s obvious that he hasn’t done enough in the eyes of the coaching staff to feel secure about his spot — and his future — with this franchise.
From my point of view, this will be the biggest training camp for Leinart in a Cardinals uniform. All of his throws will be charted in camp practices, but how he does in the preseason games will tell the story about where he’ll be on the depth chart on opening day. Not what I expected when I saw him play at USC.
It’s shocking that Aaron Maybin, the Bills’ first-round pick, is still a holdout at this point in training camp. Tuesday, our own Brad Biggs put together a list of the rookies still absent, and although I see plenty of names of players who need to be in camp, seeing Maybin makes me shake my head.
One of the major concerns for the Bills this offseason was finding a solution to their pass-rush issues. Yes, having a healthy Aaron Schobel (who might be the most underrated D-lineman in the entire league) will definitely add to the sack numbers in Buffalo, but Maybin was drafted No. 11 overall for that exact reason — to get to the quarterback. The Bills opened camp on July 25, and the time Maybin has missed can’t be replaced. Add in the fact that Buffalo opens its preseason Sunday night in the Hall of Fame Game, and those are reps the rookie needs to learn the game at the pro level.
There’s still some time left for Maybin to get into camp and contribute, but if this drags on, I can’t see him being anything more than a situational rusher in ’09.
Green Bay GM Ted Thompson opened himself up when he told the media that the Packers “look at everything” when he was asked about quarterback Michael Vick. That statement caused rumors to fly that Green Bay is an option for the former Falcons QB because every team that doesn’t completely shut the door on Vick is in play.
APIs Green Bay really a possibility?
I would be shocked – no, absolutely amazed -- if Vick were to end up playing football in Lambeau Field wearing green and gold, and that’s why I’m going to stop talking about it now.
There’s a reason Brett Favre left Green Bay in the first place — and his name is Aaron Rodgers.
The reports on Ben Roethlisberger’s sore arm at Pittsburgh’s training camp shouldn’t alarm Steelers fans. Every quarterback goes through periods in August when they have off-days on the field, and just because Big Ben isn’t throwing like he would in October, we shouldn’t read too much into these reports.
The quarterbacks in camp might not experience the hitting or the amount of running that other positions do, but two practices a day can do a number on throwing arms. This won’t be a story in a week.
Speaking of rookie holdouts, I doubt that Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins -- who I think will be a playmaker in Gregg Williams’ scheme in New Orleans -- has any idea how much he’s missing by not being in camp.
That scheme is complicated, it requires a ton of discipline, and although most of the defense was installed during spring mini-camps and OTAs, Jenkins needs to experience this defense in August, in pads, when he’s tired and put into some tough situations by Williams.
That’s how Williams judges his players — and those are the ones who see the field.
APJacques Reeves
The injury to the Texans’ Jacques Reeves is a blow to Houston, and with reports saying that the cornerback is out 6-8 weeks, questions are sure to return about the team’s defense.
Add in the fact that corner Dunta Robinson is still a no-show at camp after being franchised this offseason, and I’m starting to wonder who is going to make plays in this secondary. It’s no secret that I’m high on the Texans heading into this season, but having a secondary that’s patched together isn’t going to make it easy for this club.
There will be plenty of eyes on Vince Young when the Titans open the preseason on Sunday night against Buffalo. How does he react to a poor throw, a turnover, a stalled drive? We all want to see if he has matured this offseason and if his game has improved. There’s no question that Kerry Collins is the immediate future of the Titans, but where does Young fit in after that?
This is a big preseason for the former starter. I can’t wait to see what he does.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Join me today at 3:30 EST here at the NFP for a live chat to discuss AFC training camps.
AJ,
Still don't like seeing Reeves go down... That could turn into a 10-12 week injury if he hits any snags in rehab. That secondary needs players, and they also need bodies.
Robinson also needs to practice, Not a corner in the league who can step in without a day of camp and start making plays in the regular season. That leads to injuries too.
Vick to the Pack would be the dumbest idea ever...
Leinart looks pretty cool in that pic on the bench. Have some more hot tub parties Matty!
Agree that the Maybin holdout is big, and I am surprised that more people aren't talking about it.
The Bills with a pass rush can be a good football team. Good enough to get 10 wins? I think so.
Anyone notice that the hack over at PF Do-Do tried to recreate this story an hour after Matt posted?
Sorry, but I come here for my football analysis... where it is written by real NFL writers, not some dude who talks about Twitter all day.
I wouldn't want to see Brett Favre take 10 or so snaps a game running a wildcat formation . LOL ! So Matt you seem to be coming around to my point of view . Michael Vick will be putting pressure on an incumbent starter & will eventually get a shot as a starter for someone . On another note do you think a change of scenery would be best for Matt Leinart ? I'm wondering if maybe he has worn out his welcome . He seems like a decent enough guy but the photos with the water bongs & time spent dating c-list celebrities to go along with lack of development , could you see Ken Wisenhunt just cutting bait ? If so do you think he would have any trade value ?
Funny, I read on a Steeler MB that no one should doubt the future success of Bruce Davis, given James Harrison's career path. If that's true, then everyone would be wise to pick Brian St. Pierre as their fantasy sleeper. Harrison was cut and resigned a few times with a brief layover in Baltimore before getting a chance when their first round pick wasn't quite what they thought he was. Eerie similarities. If BSP spent the offseason learning to drive a bus, he's a stone cold lock for the probowl this year and MVP next.
Matt - gotta disagree with you on Vick to the Pack. If Vick is serious about a comeback, it's the perfect place for him. The Pack could use a good third string as Brohm is still struggling. It's a small market with a solid veteran out front. Few distractions - lots of available charity work to start rebuilding his life and image. A one-year minimum wage deal would get him back into the league working under an excellent QB tutor on a team with excellent support networks. And it would give GB a legitimate back-up if something DID happen to Rodgers, but even then they would be more likely to go with Flynn first. But I wouldn't mind seeing him running the scout team - would be an excellent trainer for our defense while he gets back into shape plus would help in developing defense against the wildcat (wouldn't expect to see GB run a wildcat but have to defend it).
I can definitely see why Thompson wouldn't necessarily rule this out.
Gritz,
That might happen sooner than we think with Leinart if he does fall to the No.3 role, but I have to believe that the Cards want him to be the No.2 guy and the QB of the future in 'Zona
Plus, the back-up job in 'Zona is a big job, as we all know that Warner can be fragile at times.
On Vick, I don't have any doubts now that he is coming back to this league to play QB.... And a team has to give him that chance for it to happen. But, it will most likely be in a back-up role for '09.
Thanks
Scott,
Rodgers is too young, and I doubt Vick or his agent is going to head to a team where he has to compete with a young QB who just got a new deal.
Doesn't make any sense... I still like the idea of Vick to Jacksonville.
Tom - I think what you're looking at is a Perfect World scenario as opposed to a Just Finished Two Years in Prison scenario. He has to prove that he's serious and committed to this and that he's committed to changing his off-field activities before anyone is going to hand him a starting job.
No better way to prove that than a one-year minimum wage deal with no strings attached in GB.
If the Packers sign Vick, even Dan Devine's dog would roll over in its grave.
Matt,
I just don't understand how Singletary can go out and announce he wants to pass the rock no more than 23-25 times a game and has no proven starting quarterback. Then he says he doesn't want vick.
Now if you are going to run the ball and focus on more running than passing, why would you not want Vick. Only Randall Cunningham and Steve Young have more rushing yards at the quarterback position than Vick. He is also first all-time in rushing yards per game, at 53.5 yards per game. Vick also holds NFL quarterback rushing records, including most rushing yards in one game (173), most 100-yard rushing games (7), and most rushing yards in a single season (1,039).It makes no sense to me why San Francisco would pass. What do you think?
The Man,
I think you bring up a good point about the Niners, and Smith vs. Hill this August isn't exactly Montana vs. Young...
Could be a landing spot as could STL, or Jax, or even Seattle....
At this point, I think every team is weighing the pros and cons of Vick right now.
Matt - you guys here anything about these days off Reggie B. is taking? sounds fishy
I was skeptical of Matt Leinart when he was being so highly touted coming out of college. When you have an all star team around you(USC) mediocre talent(Leinart) can look better then it really is. Leinart is not a good QB, and this news doesn't surprise me in the least bit.
Heres to NOT hearing anything about Matt Leinart for the rest of this offseason AND regular season, because HE will never be anything other then a journeyman backup when all is said and done, which is why he should get no pub at all IMO.
I don't expect the Packers to sign Vick and do believe Thompson was playing games with the media, but I can't help to think of what it would be like to have Vick on the field at the same time as Rodgers along with the other underrated weapons Green Bay has. That would be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
As a Packer fan, I have no interest in seeing Vick up in Lambeau. He should sign with the Raiders.
Another reason the pack won't sign Vick. Ever see him "play" in cold weather? Bad.
When I saw the headline "Leinart Falling On Depth Chart," I assumed this was a Paris Hilton article...
Matt Leinart is yet another example of a great college player who simply doesn't grasp what is necessary to become a great pro player.
There are differences and people just don't seem to realize that.
He's a case of wasted potential.
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Aug 05, 2009
07:43 AM
Matt, the two Texans rookie CBs - Quin and McCain - have both looked good in camp so far. Quin has size, McCain has speed. Quin has a knee bruise but should be back soon. Molden should be coming off PUP at any time.
Alan