Cardinals release QB Matt Leinart
NFL: The Arizona Cardinals released Matt Leinart, parting ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner who was supposed to be the team’s franchise quarterback but couldn’t escape the backup role.
The team made the announcement on Saturday, shortly before the Cardinals had to reach their 53-man roster limit.
The Cardinals tried to trade Leinart but found no acceptable deal. By cutting Leinart, Arizona doesn’t have to pay him the $2.5 million he was due for the coming season, not to mention the $7.4 million, plus a $5.5 million roster bonus, he was to make next season.
Arizona thought it had a steal when Leinart, who led Southern California to two national championships, fell to the Cardinals at the No. 10 overall pick in 2006. Then-coach Dennis Green called it “a gift from heaven.”
He started 11 games as a rookie under Green, then the first five the following season under new coach Ken Whisenhunt.
But then he went down with a broken collarbone and Kurt Warner took over.
This year, with Warner retired, Leinart began as the starter but was replaced by Cleveland castoff Derek Anderson in the third preseason game.
Seahawks lose touted line coach
NFL: A week before their season begins, the Seattle Seahawks are looking for a new offensive line coach after the sudden retirement of Alex Gibbs.
The veteran coach known for his success with zone blocking schemes stepped down just eight days before the Seahawks’ season opener against San Francisco.
A team spokesman said the 69-year-old Gibbs was “worn out.”
Gibbs was considered one of coach Pete Carroll’s key hires as he assembled his staff in the offseason. Intent on using Gibbs’ zone schemes in the Seahawks’ run game, Gibbs was hired away from Houston, where he was an assistant coach with the Texans for two seasons.
Gibbs, who joined the Texans in 2008, began coaching in the league with Denver from 1984-87. He assisted with the Raiders (1988-89), Chargers (1990-91), Colts (1992) and Chiefs (1993-94) before returning to the Broncos for his greatest successes, from 1995-2003. He won consecutive Super Bowl championships in 1998 and ’99.