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Updated: September 6, 2010, 10:01 AM ET
Sources: Matt Leinart to join Texans
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By Chris Mortensen
ESPN
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Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart has agreed to one-year contract with the Houston Texans after finding little interest from the rest of the NFL's 31 teams, according to league sources.
He will take a physical, sign the contract and join the team Monday.
Leinart will become the Texans' third quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and backup Dan Orlovsky, who will remain the No. 2 at least until Leinart has some command of Houston's offensive scheme, sources said.
The Texans cut John David Booty, another former USC quarterback, when they trimmed their roster to the mandatory 53 limit on Saturday, leaving Schaub and Orlovsky as the two quarterbacks. Orlovsky threw two interceptions against the Buccaneers in the final preseason game but coach Gary Kubiak otherwise described the Texans' backup as having a "strong" training camp.
Leinart will be working with some of the NFL's best receiving talent, including All-Pro Andre Johnson. Leinart, who was released Saturday, also had great receivers in Arizona, led by All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald.
Leinart's financial terms for 2010 were not immediately available.
The Cardinals parted ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner days after Leinart went public with his frustration over being replaced by Cleveland castoff Derek Anderson.
Leinart complained he had outplayed Anderson and that his problems with coach Ken Whisenhunt were "probably away from football." That led to a meeting with Whisenhunt the following day. Although he was unhappy that Leinart took his issues public, Whisenhunt praised how the quarterback handled things.
"The one thing I want to make very clear is how professional Matt was about the whole situation," the coach said. "I was very impressed with his conversation with me. He thanked the organization, the ownership, for all the time and effort that they had invested in him. He felt like he had gotten better and he had learned a lot and it meant a lot to me to hear him say that."
Arizona thought it had a steal when Leinart, who led Southern California to two national championships and a third title game appearance, fell to the Cardinals at the No. 10 overall pick in 2006. He started 11 games as a rookie under then-coach Dennis Green, then the first five the following season under new coach Ken Whisenhunt. But the big left-hander went down with a broken collarbone and Kurt Warner took over.
Warner finished his career with two spectacular seasons, leading Arizona to consecutive NFC West titles, an incredible run to the Super Bowl and a 51-45 overtime victory over Green Bay in a playoff thriller last season.
Leinart threw for 3,893 yards with 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with Arizona.
Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sources: Matt Leinart to join Texans
* Comments101
By Chris Mortensen
ESPN
Archive
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart has agreed to one-year contract with the Houston Texans after finding little interest from the rest of the NFL's 31 teams, according to league sources.
He will take a physical, sign the contract and join the team Monday.
Leinart will become the Texans' third quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and backup Dan Orlovsky, who will remain the No. 2 at least until Leinart has some command of Houston's offensive scheme, sources said.
The Texans cut John David Booty, another former USC quarterback, when they trimmed their roster to the mandatory 53 limit on Saturday, leaving Schaub and Orlovsky as the two quarterbacks. Orlovsky threw two interceptions against the Buccaneers in the final preseason game but coach Gary Kubiak otherwise described the Texans' backup as having a "strong" training camp.
Leinart will be working with some of the NFL's best receiving talent, including All-Pro Andre Johnson. Leinart, who was released Saturday, also had great receivers in Arizona, led by All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald.
Leinart's financial terms for 2010 were not immediately available.
The Cardinals parted ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner days after Leinart went public with his frustration over being replaced by Cleveland castoff Derek Anderson.
Leinart complained he had outplayed Anderson and that his problems with coach Ken Whisenhunt were "probably away from football." That led to a meeting with Whisenhunt the following day. Although he was unhappy that Leinart took his issues public, Whisenhunt praised how the quarterback handled things.
"The one thing I want to make very clear is how professional Matt was about the whole situation," the coach said. "I was very impressed with his conversation with me. He thanked the organization, the ownership, for all the time and effort that they had invested in him. He felt like he had gotten better and he had learned a lot and it meant a lot to me to hear him say that."
Arizona thought it had a steal when Leinart, who led Southern California to two national championships and a third title game appearance, fell to the Cardinals at the No. 10 overall pick in 2006. He started 11 games as a rookie under then-coach Dennis Green, then the first five the following season under new coach Ken Whisenhunt. But the big left-hander went down with a broken collarbone and Kurt Warner took over.
Warner finished his career with two spectacular seasons, leading Arizona to consecutive NFC West titles, an incredible run to the Super Bowl and a 51-45 overtime victory over Green Bay in a playoff thriller last season.
Leinart threw for 3,893 yards with 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with Arizona.
Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
