What’s the Deal, Leinart?

I’ll bet that’s what Matt Leinart’s house sounded like when he was a teenager still living with his parents.

The times and places have changed, but you can still hear those words being uttered. Not by Mr. and Mrs. Leinart, but by Arizonal Cardinals fans everywhere. As the 10th pick in April’s NFL draft, he was clearly one of the most valued picks and landed in possibly the best situation for a rookie quarterback to be in. He has two pro-bowl caliber receivers, a pro-bowl running back, and Kurt Warner to learn from. If I were a quarterback, I’d sign as soon as they picked me.

Not so with the former Heisman Trophy winner and All-American from USC.

Now, USC stands for U need to Sign a Contract.

No position is more glorified, or more demanding, than the NFL quarterback. From learning a playbook that rivals War and Peace in its page count, to running an offense while dodging gigantic linemen and lightning fast linebackers salivating at the prospects of ending your game, season, or career, to leading a team on and off the field, this is not a position for the unprepared.

Preparation begins at training camp. This is the first time of the season when things get really intense. Hitting is (finally) allowed. Players practice twice, sometimes three times a day, and they live together. Not to mention some of them are fighting for a position and will claw over their own mothers to be an NFL player. To survive in this league, not just play, preparation is key.

For Matt Leinart, missing a practice is like missing a week in college ball. Every day he skips because his contract isn’t hammered out, he misses two or three practices. He falls further and further behind, and catching up is like running a marathon and giving everyone else a head start of a couple miles.

Bottom line….make a deal, get in camp, play football. This isn’t USC anymore, and as great as he was there, that means squat here. Remember these two words, Matt……Ryan Leaf. Oh, and Heath Shuler, too.