ksdsoft17l73
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 Posted: Thu 11:39, 21 Oct 2010 Post subject: of course |
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[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] ready to go?
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] ready to go? [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] Confident Leinart says he can be already to replace [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
Cheered on by a big, enthusiastic crowd at a team's practice fields at Northern Arizona University, Aformer Heisman Trophy winner emerged from aArizona Cardinals' first training camp workout Saturday smiling and expressing confidence that he is "fully prepared" for a job.
Aleft-handed quarterback enters his fifth [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] season knowing some already have written him off as a bust. He says he understands apressure is there, but doesn't feel it.
"I'm just excited to play again," he said. "You know, it's been a long time but I feel like I've learned so much. Honestly, I think I can tell myself I feel like I'm fully prepared."
Leinart lost astarting job in a2008 training camp and pre-season, then watched as[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] led ateam to an NFC West title and a stunning run to aSuper Bowl. He was on asidelines again a year ago, when[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] directed Arizona to a 10-6 record and another division title. He saw [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] complete 29 of 33 passes for 391 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-45 overtime playoff victory over Green Bay.
Leinart said aright things all along and never complained in public, never hinted that he might want to be traded.
"I think that's a process that young quarterbacks have to go through sometimes," coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "and I think it helps them ultimately become good football players. It's not easy, especially when you've had asuccess that he had and aattention that he's had. And it's very difficult when there's a lot of negativity about him, which there has been. So I know that he's excited to get that chance to show that he can do it and be a good player."
When [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] retired after last season, Whisenhunt gave ajob to Leinart, who faces pressure from within aCardinals' organization,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], as well as from those watching from aoutside.
Leinart signed a six-year, US$51 million contract after Arizona selected him with a10th overall pick in a2006 draft. He is due about $13 million next season, and will have to prove he is worth that kind of money.
ACardinals signed free agent Derek Anderson to push him, something Whisenhunt always has felt Leinart needed.
Anderson and Leinart have known each other since high school and were competitors in aPac-10, Anderson at Oregon State and Leinart, of course, at Southern California.
"We've been buddies for a long time," Leinart said. "He's a great quarterback. He can throw aball as good as anybody. So for me, it's great. I love acompetition. He's pushing me to get better. That's away I look at it. It's nice to have him here."
Leinart started 11 games as a rookie under coach Dennis Green and afirst five games when Whisenhunt took over anext season. He was sharing time with [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], though, and five games in to aseason, Leinart went down with a broken collar bone. He has started once since then, in last year's 20-17 loss at Tennessee when [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] was out with a concussion.
Leinart's party boy image has been shed along away, and he is basking in his new opportunity.
"I've had amindset that I've worked really hard this off-season just to prepare for this, and now it's here," he said. "Now it's fun, though. This is what I've been waiting for, just to go out there and play, and be myself."
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