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| ArizonaCardinals.com |
Senior Writer
Heading into Cardinals training camp in just a few short weeks, the quarterback question still hangs over the head of the organization.
It was not supposed to be like this. When Arizona shelled out top dollar for Kevin Kolb, he was projected to be the answer at the position into the future; but unfortunately it has just created more questions for coach Ken Whisenhunt.
When Kolb went down last season with an injury, quarterback John Skelton stepped in admirably, leading the team to a better win-loss record than Kolb was able to. It is no secret everyone loves a winner, and in Arizona that is no different. The public opinion favors Skelton, with the fans even booing Kolb at the Cardinals' Fan Fest.
Common sense would dictate that since the franchise is so heavily invested in Kolb, he will be the starting quarterback. But according to Whisenhunt, that may not be the case. "I don't look at a player and think what he's making or what you did to get him here," he stated through Arizona Republic. "I look at them based on what kind of plays they're making."
"I obviously know how much we invested in Kevin. I want Kevin to be successful. I want him to be our quarterback, but I'm not going to ignore the fact that John Skelton worked pretty hard and did a good job in there when he was playing, too. He's earned the right to compete for that spot."
While quarterback might be a question mark, the No. 1 wide receiver position is not.
The organization starts and stops with Larry Fitzgerald, and his input is as valuable as anyone. It was Fitzgerald's urging that brought Kolb into the fold from Philadelphia, yet, he seems to have lost that partisanship.
When asked about the topic Fitzgerald stated, “That’s really a question that Coach [Ken] Whisenhunt can probably answer. John McNulty [Quarterbacks Coach] can answer better. I really just try to stay out of it as much as I possibly can. Just try to make my plays and do what I am coached to do and be responsible for that. The cream rises to the top. I know by Week 1 when we go out there we’ll have our guy. We’ll be supportive of that person.”
The organization starts and stops with Larry Fitzgerald, and his input is as valuable as anyone. It was Fitzgerald's urging that brought Kolb into the fold from Philadelphia, yet, he seems to have lost that partisanship.
When asked about the topic Fitzgerald stated, “That’s really a question that Coach [Ken] Whisenhunt can probably answer. John McNulty [Quarterbacks Coach] can answer better. I really just try to stay out of it as much as I possibly can. Just try to make my plays and do what I am coached to do and be responsible for that. The cream rises to the top. I know by Week 1 when we go out there we’ll have our guy. We’ll be supportive of that person.”
While he isn't endorsing Skelton, he certainly isn't as vocal in support of Kolb as he previously was either. There is good reason for that, as the two main receivers on the team last season were Fitzgerald and Andre Roberts, and Kolb threw them the ball significantly less than Skelton did.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Roberts received 6.9 targets from Skelton per 65 snaps, while Kolb only targeted him 4.7 times. Meanwhile, their star playmaker Fitzgerald saw his targets fall from 11 under Skelton to 7.9 under Kolb. With the organization valuing Fitzgerald's opinion so highly, it should come as no surprise who he would pick. [Hint: The one who passes to him more.]
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Roberts received 6.9 targets from Skelton per 65 snaps, while Kolb only targeted him 4.7 times. Meanwhile, their star playmaker Fitzgerald saw his targets fall from 11 under Skelton to 7.9 under Kolb. With the organization valuing Fitzgerald's opinion so highly, it should come as no surprise who he would pick. [Hint: The one who passes to him more.]
It is pretty simple in the end.
Kolb has lost the pro-bias of the fans, Fitzgerald and Whisenhunt over the course of last season. It is argued that Skelton has more upside than Kolb, and it's likely Whisenhunt will see what lies below the surface this season. Do not be shocked if the starting passer for the Arizona Cardinals is none other than the ex-Fordham star next season.
Kolb has lost the pro-bias of the fans, Fitzgerald and Whisenhunt over the course of last season. It is argued that Skelton has more upside than Kolb, and it's likely Whisenhunt will see what lies below the surface this season. Do not be shocked if the starting passer for the Arizona Cardinals is none other than the ex-Fordham star next season.
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