Leinart will take time

[Doomsday101]

LOS ANGELES - Sleepy-eyed Matt Leinart said Wednesday he remains uncertain whether he will return to USC for his senior season or go into the NFL.
The Trojans’ Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and his teammates — after celebrating into the wee hours in Miami — arrived back on campus late in the afternoon. They were greeted by a crowd of about a hundred cheering, photo-snapping fans.
“I have until Jan. 15 to decide what I’m going to do,” Leinart said of the deadline for declaring for the NFL draft.
“It’s going to take a lot for me to leave, despite the game last night and the Heisman Trophy. I’m going to talk with Coach (Pete) Carroll about it, get his ideas.”


Two other of the nation’s top quarterback this season, California’s Aaron Rodgers and Utah’s Alex Smith, already have announced they will leave school early to enter the draft.
Asked how his teammates were advising him, Leinart smiled and said, “A lot of mixed feelings. A lot of guys say go, and a lot say stay.”
He ostensibly improved his stock with the NFL considerably Tuesday night with his performance in the 55-19 BCS title game victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Leinart went 18-of-35 for 332 yards, with no interceptions, and threw an Orange Bowl-record five touchdowns to far outshine Oklahoma’s 2003 Heisman winner, Jason White. White threw three interceptions.
“Matt had an incredible game,” Carroll said.
Although Leinart seems to have nothing left to prove as a college quarterback, he apparently would like to remain at USC and help the Trojans win a third consecutive national championship.
“There’s talk about building a dynasty, and I know coach Carroll doesn’t like to use that term, but I really don’t see us slowing down,” he said.
Leinart has some other business to consider, as well.
“Next week, it’s back to school,” he said. “Then workouts start in about a month.”
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

[Chuck 54]

LOS ANGELES - Sleepy-eyed Matt Leinart said Wednesday he remains uncertain whether he will return to USC for his senior season or go into the NFL.
The Trojans’ Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and his teammates — after celebrating into the wee hours in Miami — arrived back on campus late in the afternoon. They were greeted by a crowd of about a hundred cheering, photo-snapping fans.
“I have until Jan. 15 to decide what I’m going to do,” Leinart said of the deadline for declaring for the NFL draft.
“It’s going to take a lot for me to leave, despite the game last night and the Heisman Trophy. I’m going to talk with Coach (Pete) Carroll about it, get his ideas.”


Two other of the nation’s top quarterback this season, California’s Aaron Rodgers and Utah’s Alex Smith, already have announced they will leave school early to enter the draft.
Asked how his teammates were advising him, Leinart smiled and said, “A lot of mixed feelings. A lot of guys say go, and a lot say stay.”
He ostensibly improved his stock with the NFL considerably Tuesday night with his performance in the 55-19 BCS title game victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Leinart went 18-of-35 for 332 yards, with no interceptions, and threw an Orange Bowl-record five touchdowns to far outshine Oklahoma’s 2003 Heisman winner, Jason White. White threw three interceptions.
“Matt had an incredible game,” Carroll said.
Although Leinart seems to have nothing left to prove as a college quarterback, he apparently would like to remain at USC and help the Trojans win a third consecutive national championship.
“There’s talk about building a dynasty, and I know coach Carroll doesn’t like to use that term, but I really don’t see us slowing down,” he said.
Leinart has some other business to consider, as well.
“Next week, it’s back to school,” he said. “Then workouts start in about a month.”
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
I like this kid's attitude...I hope he stays in school...enjoy life...the world of work, and the NFL IS work and business...will be there when he's ready.

[Doomsday101]

I like this kid's attitude...I hope he stays in school...enjoy life...the world of work, and the NFL IS work and business...will be there when he's ready.

I agree. I think he has a hard decision ahead of him but I think he should do what he feels is in his own best interest and not let others try to make it for him.

[Jimz31]

Gee....let me think....on one hand, I can go pro and make MILLIONS of dollars.
On the other hand, I can ALWAYS go back to college to get my degree, because you know, that what college is all about right? :rolleyes:

Injury would take away MILLIONS of dollars. School is ALWAYS gonna be there.

[SALADIN]

Gee....let me think....on one hand, I can go pro and make MILLIONS of dollars.
On the other hand, I can ALWAYS go back to college to get my degree, because you know, that what college is all about right? :rolleyes:

Injury would take away MILLIONS of dollars. School is ALWAYS gonna be there.

Why even risk it?

[Doomsday101]

Gee....let me think....on one hand, I can go pro and make MILLIONS of dollars.
On the other hand, I can ALWAYS go back to college to get my degree, because you know, that what college is all about right? :rolleyes:

Injury would take away MILLIONS of dollars. School is ALWAYS gonna be there.

That is what you would do then. Roy Williams stayed another year at Texas did not hurt him at all. Still went high in the 1st rd and still got paid million. If Leinart enjoys what he is doing that is what matters.

[Jimz31]

Why even risk it?

That's exactly what I'm saying.

You come out after you've reached the the point that your worth is greatest.

It is not a given that he would have the same type of year next year. Things happen.

Let's say that he stays in college and his INT's double and his TD's drop by 5 or so. I doubt that he would go #1 after that....not to mention that the team with the #1 pick is SF. He wouldn't even have to leave the state....unless he just hates SF.

[Jimz31]

That is what you would do then. Roy Williams stayed another year at Texas did not hurt him at all. Still went high in the 1st rd and still got paid million. If Leinart enjoys what he is doing that is what matters.

I understand and agree that if he wants to stay, more power to him. I'm just saying that his stock CAN'T get any higher than it is today. He's already projected as the #1 pick....the ONLY thing that staying in college could do is screw that up. The only thing to gain is that he would still be a #1 pick next year and make another 2% (or whatever) on top of what the #1 pick would get this year.....but that is assuming that everything continues for him as it has this year. That's a VERY big assumption.

[Woods]

That's exactly what I'm saying.

You come out after you've reached the the point that your worth is greatest.

It is not a given that he would have the same type of year next year. Things happen.

Let's say that he stays in college and his INT's double and his TD's drop by 5 or so. I doubt that he would go #1 after that....not to mention that the team with the #1 pick is SF. He wouldn't even have to leave the state....unless he just hates SF.

From a Cowboys perspective, I hope he comes out.

It drops another top player into our laps . . . .

In any case, a few weeks ago he was staying in school, and now he's thinking about it . . . .

[SALADIN]

That's exactly what I'm saying.

You come out after you've reached the the point that your worth is greatest.

It is not a given that he would have the same type of year next year. Things happen.

Let's say that he stays in college and his INT's double and his TD's drop by 5 or so. I doubt that he would go #1 after that....not to mention that the team with the #1 pick is SF. He wouldn't even have to leave the state....unless he just hates SF.

Added to that even if he does make it through another season unscaved and without dropping in the eyes of scouts. You may have the first 5 teams in 2006 who may not need a QB. Wherea as it just so happen that 3 out of the 5 teams picking at the top of the draft do need QB's.

[Doomsday101]

I understand and agree that if he wants to stay, more power to him. I'm just saying that his stock CAN'T get any higher than it is today. He's already projected as the #1 pick....the ONLY thing that staying in college could do is screw that up. The only thing to gain is that he would still be a #1 pick next year and make another 2% (or whatever) on top of what the #1 pick would get this year.....but that is assuming that everything continues for him as it has this year. That's a VERY big assumption.

He very well could turn Pro but what may be a high priority to you may not be the same for him. If he stays he has a chance to help USC to a 3rd National Title, he has a chance to improve his skills and as I said in another post some guys really love the college experiance. In the case of Roy Williams his stats went down because Simms was no longer there and had Vince Young throwing to him but the people in the NFL knew exactly what Roy could do and it did nothing to hurt him.

[mr.jameswoods]

That is what you would do then. Roy Williams stayed another year at Texas did not hurt him at all. Still went high in the 1st rd and still got paid million. If Leinart enjoys what he is doing that is what matters.

The difference is Roy Williams was never going to be the first overall pick had he declared for the draft. Leinart is practically guaranteed the first spot in the draft. He won back to back national championships and a Heisman trophy. He has nothing left to prove at the college game. However, he could get hurt and/or lose his position in the draft next year.

It's a no brainer; Leinart may want to stay in college and that's fine but it still doesn't change the fact that it's a stupid decision. Today, I ate at KFC for lunch. Yes, it was my decision but it was a dumb one just the same.

[jimmy40]

The difference is Roy Williams was never going to be the first overall pick had he declared for the draft. Leinart is practically guaranteed the first spot in the draft. He won back to back national championships and a Heisman trophy. He has nothing left to prove at the college game. However, he could get hurt and/or lose his position in the draft next year.

It's a no brainer; Leinart may want to stay in college and that's fine but it still doesn't change the fact that it's a stupid decision. Today, I ate at KFC for lunch. Yes, it was my decision but it was a dumb one just the same.
But you knew what you were getting at KFC. Leinart doesn't know what the hell to expect at San Fran. Not right now anyway.

[Nors]

Jim Calhoun Uconn Husky Basketball coach said it best

If the kid can be drafted top 10 and make mega millions I almost always advise him to do it.

Leinart is looking at a what $20M bonus and LT contract. He's a top 3 lock - what does he gain playing another year? This is West coast laid back thinking by Leinard. I don't get that. Guess its Zen and all that - relax.

Best was Carroll on local interview - he's pushing Leinart off the bus! LOL - He has players in line behind him..........

[mr.jameswoods]

But you knew what you were getting at KFC. Leinart doesn't know what the hell to expect at San Fran. Not right now anyway.

Honestly what team with the first pick will have a situation that is so different from SF's ? They are all going to be relatively lousy.

And he could always pull an Eli Manning! if he doesn't like SF.

The point is he is going to be selected as the first pick regardless of what team ends up with him. SF will trade for the draft pick and some team will be willing to trade a first or a future first for him if Leinart demands a trade.