Matt Leinart has spent his first four NFL seasons traveling from backup to starter and back again. Several factors make this a pivotal season for Leinart. He turned 27 on Tuesday. It's his fifth year, and in 2011 his salary increases by $5 million, and he could earn a $5 million roster bonus. If Leinart proves himself this season, the Cardinals likely would want to restructure his contract. If Leinart fails, he would not return, at least not at that pay grade. "People can say what they want about me, but I still haven't really proved anything yet," he said. "I haven't been out there, so I don't think you can make a fair judgment." This is not the career path Leinart envisioned when he was at USC. "It's not what I wanted, but at the same time, I got to learn from a great quarterback for a long time," Leinart said. "Kurt is a Hall of Fame guy. I feel like I've learned so much, and I'm more prepared and ready."