What separates Matt Leinart from the rest of college quarterbacks – and, what some NFL scouts believe, many NFL quarterbacks – could be witnessed in one Kodak moment of the 2005 season.
On a perfect mid-October night in South Bend, Ind., Leinart stood over center with top-ranked Southern California’s season on the line. Facing fourth-and-9 from the Trojans’ 26, 1:08 remained and USC trailed Notre Dame 31-28. Noticing the fire-breathing Irish were ready to blitz, Leinart audibled over the frenzied screams of 80,795 fans.
Instead of throwing a sideline route, he sent Dwayne Jarrett up the left side. In the split second Jarrett had a window of separation from cornerback Ambrose Wooden, Leinart’s feathery pass fell right into Jarrett’s arms for a 61-yard gain. Four plays later, Leinart scored from the 1 with three seconds left to keep alive USC’s quest for an unprecedented three straight national titles.
USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is a son of longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and a former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant. He best put Leinart’s NFL prospects in perspective.
“I can promise you there aren’t many college quarterbacks who get that done right there,” Kiffin said. “There ain’t many college quarterbacks where, on fourth-and-9, they check the play because it’s a blitz to the play you designed to check to and hit the ball for a 50-yard gain. That don’t happen.”
Leinart was tabbed as the top pick in last year’s draft, but scouts say he’s even better this season. That won’t make up for the $8 million salary he missed out on last year, but scouts think you can’t put a price on his improvement.
Questions about his arm have been answered, and so have questions about USC’s system. Famed offensive coordinator Norm Chow is gone to the NFL. Leinart remains. USC (8-0) has the top offense (601.63 yards per game) in the country. He is, as they say, the complete package.
“There are a lot of things about Matt I like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He’s very, very accurate throwing the football. People say he has great talent around him. But last year he was dealing with all newcomers. He had no Mike Williams. He had a freshman receiver. Reggie Bush was running creative routes then because Norm Chow was trying to get the running back in the passing game.”
Statistically, Leinart could even top last year’s Heisman Trophy numbers of 3,322 yards, 33 TDs, six interceptions and a 156.5 rating. He’s on pace for 4,082 yards, 31 TDs and 10 picks, and his 166.9 rating is third in the country.
A big reason he returned for his senior year was to surgically repair tendinitis in his throwing elbow. Scouts can tell the difference.
“His arm strength is a lot better,” Kiper said. “He’s feeling comfortable. Last year he was sporadic. There were games last year when he was probably less than 100 percent. Now there’s nothing holding him back.”
Scouts also like that he looks and acts like a quarterback. He even looks like a quarterback in an airport. He’s 6-feet-5, 225 pounds and has weathered the same media storm in NFL-challenged Los Angeles most NFL quarterbacks face.
“His size is one of his biggest strengths,” said Todd McShay, college and draft analyst for Scouts, Inc. “He’s the prototypical NFL quarterback. So many guys now are 6-2 and shorter. He’s got the ideal body for an NFL quarterback. And he has enough arm strength. It’s adequate, not great. But it’s strong enough to make most of the throws. What he does well is he makes up for arm strength with great touch and timing. His accuracy is outstanding.”
Many thought Leinart would regress after Chow’s departure, but Leinart has stepped up his game under Kiffin who, at 30, is one of the bright young stars in the coaching ranks.
“There was a big question coming into this year,” McShay said. “It’s an almost identical system as a year ago, but when you lose a guy like Norm Chow you want to see how he responds. Will he make the same decisions at the right times, or was Norm Chow playing puppeteer and giving him answers to the test before he takes it?
“He has answered that test.”
Added Kiffin: “His preparation is second to none for every game. He’s just taking it to a new level. He can see things right at the beginning. It’s in slow motion a lot of times. He knows all the tips.”
Leinart merely shrugs, putting it into its simplest terms.
“With all the experience, I’m more confident,” he said. “I’m having fun. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not hesitant with my play calling or with my checks. I just go out and have fun.”
Kiper said Leinart should be the No. 1 pick this spring, but with Bush the nation’s biggest game-breaker there’s no guarantee. McShay said if a team already has a bona fide quarterback and running back but a lousy line, such as the Houston Texans, it might take Virginia offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
But they probably never saw that tape from a perfect October night in South Bend.
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
