Interview with Matt Linehan - 2013 QB

In 2009 when the Detroit Lions hired, Scott Linehan to be their offensive coordinator, it would be another stop for his son, Matt Linehan. Since Matt was born his father, has been the offensive coordinator at the University of Washington, Louisville, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and head coach of the Saint Louis Rams. Matt Linehan who will be the quarterback for the Orchard Lake Saint Mary Eaglets in 2012 was able to talk about his time so far Orchard Lake Saint Mary, the life of being a son of an NFL coach, and the future.

Position: QB

Height and Weight: 6'3 and 185

First Game Started: TBD

#1 Most Memorable Game: Probably vs Brother Rice last year, I didn't play but I was the holder for the game winning extra point, and it was great moment.

Pre-game traditions: Usually I eat something my mom made, and then go over the scouting report of the team were playing that week.

Post-game traditions: I usually go home and think about everything that happened and what I can do to improve my play for the next game.

Athlete I try to build my game around: I try build my game around Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. They play with such confidence and passion that it makes them and the people around them better.

The D - Zone - What have you been doing this off-season to prepare yourself for the 2012 season?

Matt Linehan - "I have increased my lifting schedule tremendously. I'm looking to gain a few pounds before the season starts and be at least 190. I also have been throwing a lot to prepare for the camps and 7 on 7s I'll be doing this summer."

The D - Zone - What was one of the best skills that you developed last season?

Matt Linehan - "One of the best skills I developed last season was that I improved my footwork in the pocket. There's still some work to do, but its much better than when I started playing at St. Mary's."

The D - Zone - What will you take away from last season and attempt to apply it to the 2012 season?

Matt Linehan - "What I took away from last year was how important the "team' aspect of the game is. Coach Porritt preached that concept of being a team and that the team is a family, and I hope the same translates to this year."

The D - Zone - Have you thought about any goals that you would like to set for yourself for the 2012 season?

Matt Linehan - "Our goals for this year are the same as they always are. We want to be playing on Ford Field in November. Our other goal is to win the Catholic League regular season title and the Prep Bowl as well."

The D - Zone - What separates you from other's who play the same position as you?

Matt Linehan - "The thing that separates me from the other quarterbacks is that I can pick things up quickly and utilize it to my advantage. When I watch film, I can find the weaknesses and tendencies of the defense and immediately find ways to exploit them."

The D - Zone - We are still kind of fresh off the Championship game over Mount Pleasant, what exactly do you remember about that game when you look back at it?

Matt Linehan - "I just remember the will to win that game after coming so close those couple of years before. We weren't going to lose that game, and the team's performance shows that."

The D - Zone - What does it mean bringing a State Championship to Orchard Lake Saint Mary?

Matt Linehan - "It puts us in a group not a lot of high schools in Michigan are in. We keep strong tradition at St. Mary's, and we have been fortunate enough to have a number of good teams over the years."

The D - Zone - For you, you were behind a Senior quarterback, last season, what did you take from that situation that will help you for 2012?

Matt Linehan - "I found out early on I was not physically ready to play the position last year at 170 lbs. I needed to bulk up, and that's how I'm preparing for this season."

The D - Zone - Being the son of the offensive coordinator for the Lions, Scott Linehan, what have you learned from him or other Lions or former players he has coached?

Matt Linehan - "I've learned a ton from my dad and his players of the years. Getting a chance to watch players like Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Nate Burleson, Calvin Johnson, and other players who played the game right has helped me prepare for my football career. What my dad has done for me now will end up helping me in the long run."

The D - Zone - You have traveled a lot growing up, what type of challenges do you face?

Matt Linehan - "The challenges I've faced from traveling around so much have been not being able to get settled in one place. I've never really felt like a had a permanent place to live, and each school I went to was just another stop along the way. However, I feel like I finally found a school that fits in St. Mary's, and I couldn't be happier."

The D - Zone - Have you had a chance to attend any camps so far this Spring?

Matt Linehan - "I went to the Nike Elite 11 camp in Columbus at the beginning of May. I also attended the Nike Football Training Camp that was the next day and was also in Columbus. I felt that it was a pretty successful camp for me and it was a positive sign for the future."

The D - Zone - Are there any camps that you are looking forward to this Spring and Summer?

Matt Linehan - "I'm going to the Purdue QB camp in June and I plan on attending several college camps this summer."

The D - Zone - What is a big game on your schedule that you have circled and why?

Matt Linehan - "Well, the most important game is always whatever game you have to play next, but I know everyone has there eyes on Cass Tech Week 5. With the talent level they have on their team, it should be a very exciting game."

The D - Zone - Who is the biggest rival on Orchard Lake Saint Mary's schedule and what does beating this team mean to you, your teammates, and fans?

Matt Linehan - "There isn't necessarily one huge rival, but I know that whenever you're playing a Catholic League game, there's going to be a certain amount of motivation to win that game. Whether its De La Salle, Brother Rice, Catholic Central, or U Of D Jesuit, it's always gonna mean more than a regular non-conference game."

The D - Zone - If I had a college coach sent to you and he asked why he should have you on his team, what you tell him?

Matt Linehan - "I would tell him that I'm coachable and willing to do what it takes to win. I can take whatever he gives me and put it into the way I play. I don't have the strongest arm in the world, but I can make up for it with accuracy and a will to win."

The D - Zone - How has the recruiting process been going so far for you?

Matt Linehan - "I've talked to a couple of coaches: Penn, Brown, Miami of Ohio, Central Michigan, and Iowa. I'm still looking to get recruited throughout this summer and this season."