Monday Post Mortem

Matt Leinart Gets Over Again

Birds quarterback Matt Leinart has a lot of detractors. He�s good looking, he hangs with and dates celebrities, oh, and he�s not a bad football player, either. Leinart cynics have another reason to hate the former Heisman Trophy winner as he goes to one of the best possible situations he could have gone (Denver being the other) when he landed with Arizona. Some might call it a slide, but it was an upgrade. Others will mock him for not coming out last year�but who had more fun last year, Leinart or Alex Smith?

Some might say that Leinart is a product of a talented system. Have you seen the Cardinals talent? Two Pro Bowl-type of receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, running back Edgerrin James, and a chance to apprentice under a Super Bowl and two-time league MVP in Kurt Warner. And all of this while avoiding becoming a member of the Raiders.

Leinart made out all right. It might even be time to once again become a Cardinals season ticket holder.

• Someday the Tennessee Titans will try to convince their fans they took LenDale White with their first pick, and try to forget about Vince Young. It won�t be a total loss if Young will eventually convert to safety or fullback in a few years. Had the chance to catch the replay of Ron Jaworski and the boys dissect Young�s game. All Young has to work on is reading defenses, making better decisions, and totally overhauling his throwing motion. Is that it? Billy Volek shouldn�t worry about his job security.

• Starting with Michael Vick, the first quarterback taken in the draft has taken a number one higher than his draft predecessor. (Vick No. 7; David Carr No. 8; Carson Palmer No. 9; Eli Messiah No. 10; Smith No. 11). Young, of course, was given No. 10 because he either can�t count that high, or he might really believe that 10 comes after 11. Leinart should have opted for No. 12 seeing that he was the first quarterback selected. Leinart will instead wear No. 24. Just kidding, he�ll wear No. 7.

• Somebody will one day have to explain why the Broncos traded up to take quarterback Jay Cutler. Unless there is something there that everybody is missing, it is hard to reason that a backup quarterback is all that stood in the way of the Broncos and a Super Bowl appearance.

• The bar is set really low when Michael Irvin is the lone voice of reason on the NFL Draft telecast. Irvin set out to debunk the myth that defense wins championships. Sacks and tackles are nice, but the name of the game is scoring points, the former Cowboys receiver pointed out. It�s true. Just look at the Bears last season. Or the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. If that club could have scored some points, you�d be looking at new champions.

• The Chargers didn�t want to pay last year's starting quarterback who suffered an injury last season, but they had no problem drafting a player, Florida State�s Antonio Cromartie, who didn�t play a down last year. Makes sense. But if it makes Cowgirl a Chargers fan, then all is right with the world.

• The Houston Texans proved that too much emphasis is put on combine workouts with its selection of defensive end Mamula Williams. It�s just another example of the Texans sticking it to Los Angeles. Years ago, the Texans stole the expansion LA franchise when owner Bob McNair offered $750M for the team. Now without the resources to compete, McNair is low-balling draft picks and passing on players like Reggie Bush. It�s kind of like the guy who bought the expensive sports car, but doesn�t have enough money left over for gas and insurance. With leadership like this, the Texans might be in a position to again pass on the best player in the draft with the first pick next season.

AND FINALLY

Randy Youngman of the Orange County Register did a pretty big hatchet job on former Dodgers pitcher Steve Howe. It is funny that columnist, who seemingly spends more time at Silky Sullivans in Fountain Valley than in press boxes, could be so morally indignant.

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