 |
| NFL Columns |
|
| Search |
|
|
|
|
| Draft Sim ID |
|
| Michael Schneid. 19th August, 2011 - 6:22 pm
 One of the biggest moves of the offseason was the acquisition completed by the Arizona Cardinals of Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles for a second round pick and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Kolb, who played his college football at Houston, was drafted in the second round of the 2007 draft by the Eagles. He was supposed to be the heir apparent to Donovan McNabb and began 2010 as the starter. A Week 1 injury and an overwhelmingly dominant Michael Vick helped lead the Eagles to the playoffs last year while Kolb watched from the bench.
During the lockout, there was a lot of hype surrounding Kolb and who might deal for him. The Cardinals were always a frontrunner, with the Titans, Vikings, Seahawks, 49ers and others listed as possibilities at one time or another.
Kolb has started just seven games in his four-year career. Despite that incredibly low number, the Cardinals paid their new franchise quarterback $21 million guaranteed as part of a five-year deal worth about $64 million.
Kolb was in an impossible-to-win situation in Philly. He was replacing a legend, Donovan McNabb. Despite the tenuous relationship McNabb had with Philadelphia fans, the old saying is you never know what you have until it is gone. And McNabb, in his prime, was certainly one of the best in the game. Kolb would have to replace him with always high expectations of playoffs (at least) or bust. Then the team signed Vick to be the third QB and to use occasionally in a hybrid Wildcat.
McNabb was traded after the 2009 season, Kolb was hurt and the rest is history. Both the Eagles and Kolb had to part ways while his value remained high.
The situation facing Kolb with the Cardinals is unusual. He is a career backup with little starting experience, yet was still heavily pursued and so highly touted. This is not a strategy that always works. I found three examples where highly touted quarterbacks with a dearth of NFL snaps were acquired to be the franchise QB and were acquired for a second round pick at least and paid handsomely.
In 2010, the Seahawks acquired Charlie Whitehurst from San Diego to be their QB of the future. Whitehurst had far less experience than Kolb, as he had thrown just two career passes. Yet, Seattle was willing to commit $8 million over two years and trade away a second round pick for a QB whose last start was at Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl. Whitehurst started two games in 2010 for Seattle, including a Week 17 win over the Rams that clinched the NFC West for the Seahawks. In 2011, the Seahawks signed Tavaris Jackson and immediately named him the starter without conducting an open competition.
Matt Cassel is another example. New England drafted Cassel in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. In four seasons at USC, Cassel was 19-33 for 192 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. New England was drafting a quarterback who did not log a single touchdown completion in college. In 2008, Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Cassel started 15 games, winning 10 of them. Cassel than cashed in the following offseason signing with the Chiefs to a contract paying him $62.7 million over six seasons and also costing the team a second round pick. The first year Cassel spent with Kansas City was a disappointment leading some to believe he was a bust, but in the Chiefs won 11 games and the AFC West division. Cassel was also named to the Pro Bowl.
One final example of a quarterback in a situation similar to Kolb is Matt Schaub. Schaub started two games in three years in Atlanta as the backup to Vick. In 2007, he was traded to the Texans for two second round picks. Schaub started 11 games each of his first two seasons and all 16 games each of the last two seasons. Though he has yet to lead the Texans to the playoffs, Schaub has filled the role of franchise QB perfectly for a team that really needed a new face.
Kolb has a solid foundation to succeed in Arizona. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt is an offensive guy and helped get the Cardinals to the Super Bowl three years ago. The Cardinals have a solid running back duo in Beanie Wells and rookie Ryan Williams. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best in the NFL and behind him are a handful of young, but talented receivers – Andre Roberts and Early Doucet. They signed veteran TE Todd Heap as well. The offensive line is shaky but should give Kolb enough time.
Is Kevin Kolb the next Matt Schaub? From known, but inexperienced backup QB to Pro Bowl, franchise QB. Or is he a cautionary tale like Charlie Whitehurst or Billy Volek. |
