Matt Leinart knows his role with the Oakland Raiders is to back up Carson Palmer and he is fine with it.

He knows he can be helpful to Palmer as he learns the version of the West Coast offense run by new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. Leinart was in Houston with Knapp for the past two years and is Palmer's close friend after playing together at USC.

But Leinart, who turned 29 Friday, is not of the mindset of simply being help for Palmer. He wants to be ready to play and he would love a chance to get his career back on track. The former first-round pick has been plagued by injuries and bad fits in his NFL career.

"I think in this league, if you don't have a competitive desire to play, no matter what position, then you're in the wrong league,” Leinart said in a conference call with reporters Monday. “And for me, it was a bummer last year getting hurt when I finally had my opportunity and I was playing well and it was the most comfortable I had been in years. Injuries happen, it's part of the game … I knew that I wasn't going to go into a place to be named the starter, I understand that. But my mentality is I'm still confident that I can start, I'm still confident that I can play, and the good thing is I know this offense well so I'll feel comfortable when I get my chance or if I get the reps that I can execute it."