The Return of Matt Leinart

Added on Nov 15, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

Lock the doors and hide your teenage daughters. Matt Leinart is back! The playboy/surfer dude and sometimes quarterback will once again be given a shot to prove he’s worthy of being “the man” now that Texans starter Matt Schaub is out indefinitely, i.e the season, with a Lisfranc injury in his foot. With six games left in the regular season and Houston leading the AFC South at 7-3, it will be interesting to see if Leinart can keep the playoff train on track.

Leinart last started a game in 2009 with the Cardinals. He joined the Texans in 2010 as a backup, but has yet to throw a pass in a game. In six seasons, the 28-year-old has tossed for 3,893 yards, 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. While those stats aren’t very impressive, he has the benefit of being surrounded by some talented offensive players, especially if wide receiver Andre Johnson recovers from a torn hamstring.

Speaking of Johnson, he expects to play in Week 12 after Houston’s bye. In four games, he has 25 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Obviously his return to full health will be critical to the team’s playoff aspirations and success thereafter.

The Texans schedule looks relatively favorable. Road trips to Jacksonville and Cincinnati and a home tilt against Atlanta won’t be easy, but matchups with Indianapolis and Carolina should net victories.

Also playing in Houston’s favor is a defense ranked second in points allowed and first in yards. Combine that with the backfield duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who are both on pace to rush for 1,000 yards, and Leinart appears to be set up not to fail.

But this is still the same Matt Leinart that looked dazed and confused with Arizona. The same Matt Leinart who has made only 17 career starts. The same Matt Leinart who has won only seven games in his career.

Plus, these are the same Houston Texans who have registered only one winning season and never reached the playoffs. If any team is capable of flopping down the stretch, it would be them.