NFL PREVIEW: IS MATT LEINART’S FUTURE IN THE CARDS??

Leinart’s celebrity throne may be vacated with another sub par season.

(First in a series of reports on NFL players on the verge of crucial ‘make or break’ seasons in 2010.)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart’s future is now. The former USC golden boy (along with teammate Reggie Bush) had all the celebrity and fame that goes along with being a college football star and top NFL draft pick. The time has now come for Leinart to justify that celebrity on the field in the NFL. See story…

Leinart has spent plenty of time getting his celebrity on…now it’s time to get his game on!

While Reggie Bush has taken major steps to solidify his standing in the NFL—including a Super Bowl win last February—Leinart, 27, has languished on the bench in Arizona behind Kurt Warner.

Leinart’s NFL experience has been a rocky one, at best. He came into the league in 2006 after a contract holdout and has had several opportunities since then to be the Cardinals top QB.

But each time, Leinart was replaced by Warner, a future hall of famer, after bad performances.

Kurt Warner is now retired and the job of starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals falls squarely on Matt Leinart’s shoulders…if he can handle it, that is.

Leinart’s preseason play has been limited (he is 10-of-13 in pass attempts this preseason) and head coach Ken Whisenhunt has decided to start back-up Derek Anderson in this weekend’s game against the Chicago Bears.

“It is disappointing and a little bit frustrating,” Leinart said. “I can’t sit up here and say I’m happy and all smiles. It is frustrating. I am not sure the expectation put on me. I have high expectations on myself, and I think, based on my body of work in the preseason, I have been accurate and not turned the ball over.”

Whisenhunt may be interested in seeing what Anderson can do or he may be ready to go in a different direction at QB. Whisenhunt’s been down this road before with Leinart. But Matt needs to accept his role for now and make the most of his opportunity once he gets his chance to play.

Clearly, Leinart understands that this a make or break season for him. He told reporters that he still believes he’ll be the starting quarterback when the regular season begins versus the Rams. I believe it’s Leinart’s job to lose…but it’s been his job to lose before and he’s lost it.

Approaching the end of a six-year deal worth $51 million, Leinart knows he must perform well this season or he may find himself lost in the NFL QB shuffle once his contract ends.

Life as a golden boy at USC was sweet for Leinart. The celebrity, fame and girls-on-tap was a blast. Life in the NFL can be 10 times as much. But first you have to prove you belong. Leinart’s former teammate Reggie Bush is there. Now, it’s Leinart’s turn to dance at the rodeo or be thrown from the horse.

(Next up: LaDainian Tomlinson’s make or break season with the N.Y. Jets.)