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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 28th July, 2011 - 7:53 pm
 In a deal that has been rumored since before the four-month NFL lockout even began, the Philadelphia Eagles have traded quarterback Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick.
The Cardinals were in dire need of a quarterback, which allowed the Eagles to land not only a suitable defender in Rodgers-Cromartie but also a high selection. There were points over the last five months in which Philadelphia was hoping to land a first-rounder for Kolb, who has started just seven times in his four seasons.
Despite his minimal experience, Kolb is believed to be ready for a starting role and Arizona clearly paid the price for a player they feel will solve their quarterback quandary.
The Eagles did not have to trade Kolb, who turned into their backup when Michael Vick flourished last season, but the move appeared inevitable when the latter led Philadelphia to the playoffs in perhaps his best professional season. It marks the second consecutive season in which they have dealt their starting quarterback from Week 1 of the previous year.
Keeping Kolb as an exceptional reserve would have been a safe, conservative move, but the haul they were able to get from the Cardinals is worth the risk and lack of a reliable option behind Vick.
Philadelphia did not draft a quarterback in April, which leaves them with Mike Kafka, who has never thrown a pass in the NFL, as their only other option. The Eagles like Kafka, but will sign a veteran signal-caller to serve as their No. 2 before long.
They cannot rely on Vick to start 16 games given his style of play and starting Kafka would be foolish. There are veteran options available and despite high-profile targets at other positions, signing another quarterback should be their top priority.
The addition of Rodgers-Cromartie helps fill the void left behind by Ellis Hobbs and gives the Eagles a formidable cornerback tandem with perennial Pro Bowler Asante Samuel. Philadelphia was in the middle of the pack, allowing 217 passing yards per game last season.
On the other hand, they permitted teams to strike often as only the Texans and Cowboys allowed more touchdown passes. Opposing offenses attacked the side opposite Samuel often and Rodgers-Cromartie is more talented than anyone they played as the second corner last season.
It is worth noting that they intercepted 23 passes (third in the NFL). DRC has 13 interceptions in his three NFL seasons and will have more opportunities to make teams pay in Philadelphia.
Acquiring a second-round pick in 2012 will give the Eagles three selections in the first two rounds and six in the first four. For a team that has gotten younger and more athletic in recent seasons, they can decide to further their youth movement or deal their picks for established contributors.
As mentioned before, the only concern for Philadelphia is the No. 2 quarterback spot. There are veterans available that would fit perfectly (Matt Moore, Marc Bulger and Rex Grossman). Even if Kolb turns into a superstar, the Eagles are banking on Vick to be dynamic.
Grade for Eagles: A-
The Cardinals have been linked to Kolb for a majority of 2011 and have needed a quarterback since Kurt Warner retired as Derek Anderson clearly was not right for the job.
As good as Kolb looks, there is no guarantee that he will be a multiyear starter in the NFL. Arizona has supreme confidence that he will be just that, however, has part of the trade agreement was a new contract.
In the coming days, Kolb will sign a five-year, $63 million contract, which includes more than $22 million in guarantees and puts the quarterback under control for the next six seasons. Of course, given the structure of NFL contracts, it is unlikely Kolb will be paid $63 million by the Cardinals. Still, the pact demonstrates a lot of faith.
The Eagles put Kolb in an above-average situation last season and he converted just over sixty percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had a quarterback rating of 76.1 in seven games.
In even more limited time, Kolb completed 64.6% of his passes with four touchdowns and three picks in 2009. His QB rating was better as well at 88.9.
If you project his 2009 numbers over the course of a full season you have a middle-of-the-road quarterback. Using his statistics from last year, you have a below-average one.
Of course, it is not entirely fair to judge his starting abilities until Kolb has the ability to compete a full season as a No. 1. He would have finished 2010 as a starter had he not gotten injured in Week 1 against the Packers, which gave Vick the chance to supplant him.
The Cardinals will provide him with perhaps the best receiver in the game, Larry Fitzgerald, who he was reportedly throwing to during the lockout. Kolb has a very strong arm, but needs to reel it in a bit to have continued success. If he learns the value of check down passes and uses more intermediate routes as he matures, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt may have just acquired a $63 million quarterback.
Grade for the Cardinals: C- |
