While Arizona Cardinals fans are busy taking sides in quarterback situation here, a not too far away a familiar name makes his way to the national spotlight -- Matt Leinart. Leinart was synonymous with QB controversy here in Arizona more than once. In fact, in 2007, 2008 and 2010 he was involved in rigorous fan discussion about who should lead the Cardinals.
Now, a year after being tossed to the curb by Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals, he is starting for the Houston Texans because starting QB Matt Schaub has suffered what could be a season-ending foot injury.
Why does this matter here in Arizona?
Well, while people are drawing lines in the sand and joining up declaring themselves to be Team Kolb or Team Skelton, each making their case for why Kevin Kolb or John Skelton should be the team's starting QB moving forward, Leinart's name still is a sore subject for many.
There are plenty of people around who really hated Leinart. There are a number who felt he was run out of town last year without a fair shake. Some root for his success now that he has another chance.
Leinart has the perfect opportunity to show that he can be a starter in the NFL. He has a coach that believes in him. He has one of the best running games in the league with Arian Foster and Ben Tate. He has one of the best receivers in football in Andre Johnson. The Texans have a very good defense this season. They are 7-3 right now and would be the number one seed in the AFC if he playoffs began today. He even gets the bye week to prepare for his first start.
Whether he will succeed is yet unknown. However, if he does, considering the QB carousel in Arizona since the retirement of Kurt Warner, it will not cast a kind light on Ken Whisenhunt. Instead of dumping Leinart to go to Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton and Kevin Kolb, they could have Leinart.
Matt Leinart being the starting quarterback for a playoff bound team was not supposed to be surprising. It was just supposed to have happened here.