[Dwayne Jarrett also had a big day, catching 11 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown.] He just continues to dominate every Saturday, ... I'm lucky I get to throw to him. |
[Just 16 months ago, the low-key O.C. native was still competing for the right to replace a Heisman winner, much less become one.] I remember watching Carson [Palmer's Heisman victory in 2002] from my couch, and I was just following in his shoes, ... I just wanted to play. I could never have imagined this. |
[Leinart has opened other doors for his teammates, using his accurate passes to find Jarett (13 of his 55 catches went for TDs), Smith (three touchdowns in the Orange Bowl) and Byrd, or set up the running attack. Jarrett succeeded his body double, Mike Williams, using speed (4.4 seconds over 40 yards) and a 40-inch vertical jump to create nightmarish mismatches for cornerbacks. The top reserve receiver is 6-5, 220-pound freshman Patrick Turner, who also has 4.4 speed.] He's the real deal, ... He's going to be in the mix right away. |
A college student who's more famous than you are doesn't return your phone calls, and from that you doubt his intentions to stay in college? |
Absolutely. I feel it's an honor to get drafted wherever I go to whatever city takes me. |
After each of our first two games were over, we tried to get it out of our system and get ready for our next game, ... You're always sour when you come off a loss and now we're going on our third week off. We want to get these losses out of our heads and the only way we can do that is by playing. |
All kinds of stuff built up, and it really kind of hit me that week. |
Being with my friends and teammates ... is ultimately more satisfying and will make me happier than any amount of money could make someone happy, |
Can he get on a Heisman list or what? |
Can he get on the Heisman list or what? We were struggling. I was struggling, he was struggling. But he just ran like there's no one in front of him, and that's what he does best. |
Clock! ... Clock! ... Clock! |
Deep inside, ... we were kind of a little bummed, I think. |
definitely a candidate that would be eligible for a $10 million-plus policy. |
Every year, it gets harder. For me, personally, it's been harder. For the team, it's been harder. We showed what kind of team we are. We showed what kind of heart we have. It's been a great year, everything we could have ever expected. |
Everyone is going to forget how we played the first three quarters, |