sgn43

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1964834




Personally, I think this is just an unbelievable decision in that Matt Leinart is proving to be truly one of a kind and show a genuine love of the game. In an age where it seems everyone is chasing money instead of trying to play the game simply because they have a passion and love for the sport, Leinart's decision has completely amazed cynical fans the sports world over. I already idolized the guy, but I have even more respect for him after making this decision. Any one else have any thoughts on this?

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bing bing

Not that i follow american footy, but interesting none the less. Hope he doesn't get injured.

heccubusiv

one word... classy. I have really never hated him or liked him but know i have all the respect in the world for him. I respected that decession so much to stay and love the game instead of making millions of dollars. When they thump Notre Dame next year i won't be as pissed cause a classy individual would be doing it.

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djtestudo

I think that as long as he stays healthy he's already won next-year's Heisman doing this.

He could end up being remembered as the best college QB of all time. I see a great pro future for him.

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Cross-Over

I think I would have gone pro for a number of reasons, but that is exactly what he didn't listen to. Good for him, as he emphasized in his interview with ESPN after his announcement, it was his decision. He is in a wonderful situation either way.

Spartak

Smart move... you don't want to end up as a young quarterback in San Fransico right now.

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sgn43

totally agree. he's already going down in history as one of "the greats"....but his return leaves him with the opportunity to stand alone as an icon, or a virtual god in college football lore. to be able to go 38-1 with 3 consecutive national championships and possibly 2 Heismans? that's just absurd. but it couldn't happen to a classier individual. and what's more, barring injury or a ridiculously subpar year, all the millions he's being criticized by some for turning down will be waiting for him with an oppurtunity to join a better team than the niners right now.

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uncle_el

agreed. that organization is quite clearly going to hell in a handbasket... if they're not already there!

as a pac-10 fan, i'm happy.
as a usc fan, i'm excited.
as an nfl fan, i'm surprised, lol.

i surely thought he'd leave, given the proverbial "nothing left to accomplish"... i commend the guy on making his decision, listening to his heart, or whatever the term is today.

if he stays healthy, he's easily the #1 pick. if he gets hurt, he'll be the steal of the draft for whichever team gets him, a la willis mcgahee for the buffalo bills two years ago.

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degrawj

I applaud Leinarts decision to stay with USC. While I persnoally feel that it was the right decision, I can't honestly say if I would have done the same if I was in his situation. I mean, risking getting injured, or having a bad season by coming back... But either way, he'll still play in the NFL some day. He just might not make as much money. And who knows, maybe he will be just another one of those awesome college football players that can't cut it in the NFL. I am a big PAC-10 fan, being a graduate from OSU, and normally I don't root for USC, but next year, I will be behind USC all the way because of Leinarts decision.

paddyjoe

Ah, who knows......maybe he's making more money at SC.


oops, did I just say that out loud...

goddfather40

I think part of the reason he is staying is that his family is likely financially secure. He is an Orange County kid and went to a private Catholic high school, Mater Dei. Despite that, turning down millions of dollars is no easy task and he should be commended for not thinking in monetary terms. That being said, if all goes well next year, he will be one of the most polished and NFL-ready QB's of all time.

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Justsomeguy

Have the potential to make millions or stay and risk never getting it? He better be damn well off if he wants to stay at college. I just don't understand why someone would want to stay. Especially with his recent success.

The way the NCAA and each individual university treats athletes in the end is just shitty. What they do for the school is never rewarded. And then you have dumbasses whining about how much the coach makes and lucky the athletes are to be able to attend college to begin with.

archer2371

Good move Leinart, really good move.

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drakers

Better hope you don't get injured Matt, but I applaud your decision in today's sports world of greed and glory.

roderickpsu

I would never do this...the risk of injury is way too high...and if not for yourself...go to the NFL and make some good cash to help out your parents and family.

Rdr4evr

The guy deserves respect for playing from the heart, not for the mighty $ like a lot of pathetic players in the NFL today, we need more players like him in the league.

Justsomeguy

Exactly how does staying for his senior year in college equate to him playing from the heart? I just don't see the connection. Now, if he got drafted to the NFL and agreed to play for free, sure, I agree.

Rdr4evr

Because the millions he will receive from the NFL isn't as important as loyalty to his teammates and the game.

ironchef82

I'm glad Leinart stayed. USC is returning so many starters, I have a feeling Leinart saw the unique opportunity to make USC a dynasty and try to win another Heisman and/or national championship. He may as well enjoy college, too. The millions can wait. Good move, Matt.

Justsomeguy

Well, if his family is already wealthy, it's not that tough of a decision. Maybe he feels he is not ready for the NFL. Maybe he doesn't feel like having to do everything for himself yet.

On the flip side, there are many many college athletes who are basically forced to enter the pro's to take care of their families.

Rdr4evr

Yes, that may be the case, maybe he is indeed full of it and he is just not ready for the NFL, but at the same time, you can't just view it negatively. Maybe he is genuinely playing for the love of the game and the love of his teammates, maybe not, I guess it depends how you look at it.

Konichiwaneko

maybe he is doing what he wants, like players who choose to do what they want and make money. Thus making everyone equal!

All in all, good for the guy. College is good for you, and i'm suprised people aren't talking about that.

I love sports and all, but if he stays he can also finish his degree right?

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Justsomeguy

That was my only point.


Yep, he can stay and get his sociology degree and hopefully maintain the 2.5 GPA !

Mitzkrieg

yay, Mater Dei!! hehe, i went there. sorry, i know, totally off topic. just the same though..... my pop went to USC so i was raised a fan. gotta love when peeps from your high school move on to the college you root for


respect him for his decision. as some said before me.... not sure if i would have done the same/

sgn43

exactly. and as he's said many times before (and as all USC diehards know), what SC has going on right now is something special. Matt Leinart recognizes that and wants to be a part of it. plus, he's just living up the college lifestyle before he goes off into the all business all the time world of the NFL.


he has been speaking a lot with former USC Heisman winning QB, Carson Palmer (now the starter of the Bengals), and Carson has been telling him to enjoy college while he can because the NFL is a totally different atmosphere. not just Carson, but many other former team mates and friends that are now in the NFL. Matt recognized that he's in the midst of a rarity in the major sports (particularly college football), and he's attaching his name to what may go down in history as one of the best college football runs ever. like I mentioned earlier, he has a chance to win 38 games as a starter with an unprecedented THREE consecutive NCs.


as for injuries, I wouldn't worry so much. with the O-Line Leinart has blocking for him next year, he should be very very well protected. not to mention the fact that he isn't some scrawny little QB, and at 6'5'' 225lbs should be able to take some occassional contact. add to that the fact that he'll have Reggie Bush and Lendale White in the same backfield which will prevent teams from allowing their DLines to pin their ears back and go full speed at Leinart all game long.



again, I'm just so proud to be a USC fan and seeing the biggest player in college football this past year turn down guaranteed millions because of a love for the team and university and loyalty to his team and the fans whom he plays for.

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Justsomeguy

Leinart does get sacked alot.

Catmandu

He's going to get laid so many times it isn't funny. Who wouldn't want an extra year of college life? As for injuries, in this day and age it almost takes death or paralysis to keep a player off the field. Look at Willis McGahee. I honestly thought he would never play again after his Orange Bowl injury. And now he's back to being a stud on the field.

Shpoop

i dont think it shows love for the game. he would be playing the game in the NFL, too. it either shows a love for winning or a love for his team...both of which a pretty valuable qualities

sgn43

you're right on that. when I was saying "love for the game" I meant a love and loyalty to his team and not playing just for money.



also, for the poster that mentioned that Leinart gets sacked "a lot". he really wasn't sacked very often this past year, and it was only because this line was as green as green can get. as the year went on, they gelled a lot more, and after spring and fall ball they will be one of the top units in the country next year. also, they will be bolstered by the return of All-American Winston Justice, who was suspended this last season.

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quicksteal

You know, when he comes out next year, he's still coming out a year early. He probably couldn't be having any more fun...they lose less often than the New England Patriots, and the pressure is a lot less. Still, I'm surprised he's staying in school, just because I don't know what goals would be for the next year. People like Peyton Manning and Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown wanted to have another chance at a championship, but Leinart's already got 2, and a Heisman.

sgn43

he has a chance to set the bar higher than anyone has ever set it before. 2 NCs and a Heisman, with potential for one more of each? that's just unheard of. also (and this is what he's said is the main reason all along), he is just enjoying his time at a university which he loves playing for a team that he also loves. not to mention the fact the college is definitely the best time of your life and he's the crowned prince of Southern California. so he's not only the big man on campus, he's the big man in Hollywood/LA/you know name it, he's a VIP.

plus, who can blame him for turning down a year of getting destroyed by NFL linebackers and behemoth linemen playing QB for the niners when he's riding a monster wave of success at USC. like he said, no amount of money can match the happiness he's experiencing right now playing for the USC Trojans and just living it up with his friends and team mates.

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pan6467

Could be he knows being a greaty in college for another year as aopposed to a rookie who may burn out like a lot of college great QB's have recently is more important.

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MikeyChalupa

It was great to see him make the decision to stay. He has the opportunity to win 3 (well, 2 1/2) consecutive championships, and even has a shot at back to back Heismans. He's got to know he's at risk for injury but the risk is worth the rewards. He could go pro now, be drafted 9 or 10, and sit on the bench for a year, or he could QB a very strong USC team to another great season, and go #1 next year. Either way, he's got my respect and he is a very positive note in an often "me-first" world. I really would love to see him have a long and rewarding career in the pros. Preferably, playing for Buffalo since you can stick a fork in Drew Bledsoe.

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Konichiwaneko

fresh college girls, though somewhat tainted, is better then desperate house wive groupies too.

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sgn43

a lot of speculation had him going no lower than 3rd this year, and many said he was going to be the top pick with the niners.

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Justsomeguy

There is 3-4 qb's that could go before him next year easily even at this point. I think Omar Jacobs may be the frontrunner if he leaves early.

sgn43

Leinart was widely regarded as the top player to be picked in this year's draft, let alone top QB. If he can put together a year that even resembles the past two (and all signs indicate that he'll have an excellent opportunity to far surpass them), I don't see how he can be overtaken by another QB, let alone 3-4.

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Justsomeguy

Why can't you see it? His ticket was hot this year. To be honest, there are not many good QBs who entered the draft.

Chris Leak, Omar Jacobs, and Vince Young. Also, alot of other possibilities at QB. Some depending on injuries.

goddfather40

Those these guys you mentioned are seasoned good QB's, but Chris Leak is only 6'1", Vince Young needs some development passing the ball, and Omar Jacobs plays in a mid major conference. Vince Young could be right behind Leinart though. A redshirt senior, Leinart will be one of the most mature and ready NFL quarterbacks draft picks of all time. He is able to make other players around him much better, especially the VERY young USC receiving corps last year. It doesn't hurt that USC is 25-1 when he starts, which shows he's knows how to win.

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sgn43

exactly. another year of development under Norm Chow, and Matt will be one of the most polished QBs to enter the draft ever. and mark my word, Leinart's ticket will remain hot for quite a while, and you'll see that once the next season of college football kicks off.


as for the other QBs you mentioned...Chris Leak is good, but will not have the smarts and maturity Matt has, and also will be a bit undersized (even though I admit to not liking knocking players simply for their physical size). Matt Leinart at 6'5'' 225-230 is not only going to be a mature and polished QB, but is also a physical prototype for the position. Vince Young on the other hand...great athletic ability and excellent speed and moves. Unfortunately, the guy isn't playing tailback or wideout...he's a QB, and he hasn't proven his worth as a passer.

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