Three thoughts: Kolb, the Cardinals and Reid
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Three thoughts: Kolb, the Cardinals and Reid
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Teams are still not allowed to make any moves, but that hasn't stopped the Kevin Kolb buzz from continuing. Here are three thoughts on the latest:
1. Andy Reid went on the radio yesterday and chatted with Mike Missanelli of 97.5 The Fanatic. Missanelli asked Reid about the report from Peter King on SI.com that said the Eagles already had a first-round offer in 2012 on the table for Kolb.
"I'm not sure where that came from," Reid said initially.
When Missanelli provided more details about the report, Reid said, "That’s not where we’re at right now, and I wouldn’t talk about it anyway if it was."
There are a few things that can be taken from those two sentences, but this didn't sound to me like Reid was completely refuting King's report.
For starters, Reid admits that if the report were true, he wouldn't talk about it. He likely wants to be cautious in terms of not violating league rules, and since when has he been known to clue the rest of us in on the Eagles' plans anyway? I'm not sure that any team official has ever admitted to the specifics of a trade offer before the deal was completed.
Second of all, let's say that the report is false and the Eagles have no such offer on the table. Reid wouldn't really admit that either, would he? The belief that the Eagles do have a first-round offer in hand only helps whatever potential market might emerge once the teams are allowed to make deals.
2. Which brings us to the teams being mentioned as potential suitors. I ran down my take on who might be interested in Kolb in my post earlier this week.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on TV yesterday that "all signs point to Arizona" as Kolb's next destination.
There's no question the Cardinals need a quarterback, and they didn't draft one last weekend. The current QBs on their roster are: Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton and Richard Bartel.
Cardinals GM Rod Graves recently talked to Arizona's Web site about the team's plans to address the position.
"With respect to the quarterback question, which continually arises, we’ve decided as an organization that we are going to be aggressive," he said. "We are expecting at some point, or believing, that we will have a free agency period, an opportunity to discuss trades, and we are looking at those avenues."
Sure sounds like someone who would be interested in Kolb. In the same article, coach Ken Whisenhunt said he's not comfortable with anyone on the current roster returning as the starter.
Arizona finished 5-11 last year, and amazingly, that was only two games out of first place in the NFC West. While Larry Fitzgerald is expected to re-sign with the Cardinals, he is scheduled to be a free agent after 2011.
3. One part of this whole thing that will be interesting to monitor once teams are allowed to make moves is how Kolb stacks up against the competition. It's not as if he's the only option for QB-needy teams. Marc Bulger's name was linked to the Cardinals recently. Donovan McNabb could very well find a new home, and Carson Palmer is trying to force his way out of Cincy.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when comparing the QBs that will likely be available:
Age: Kolb will be 27 by the time next season rolls around. McNabb and Bulger will be 34, and Palmer will be 31.
Compensation: Kolb looks less favorable in this category. The Eagles will almost definitely be looking for more back for Kolb than the Redskins would be for McNabb or the Bengals would be for Palmer. Bulger, meanwhile, is a free agent so teams won't have to give anything up to acquire his services.
Experience: This is a tricky one. There's overall experience: McNabb's started 155 games; Palmer 97; Bulger 95; and Kolb 7. But I don't buy the theory that the other three are better options because Kolb is unproven. The reality is that all four are unproven at this stage of their careers.
McNabb is coming off a season in which he threw 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while getting benched for Rex Grossman.
Since 2007, Palmer has thrown 57 interceptions in 52 games.
And Bulger has started a total of eight games in the last two seasons.
In other words, teams will be taking a risk by acquiring any one of these guys. They have different skill sets, and system will undoubtedly be a factor.
As for when any of this can finally go down, we're still awaiting a ruling on whether or not the stay is granted, which will reportedly be announced some time this week.
UPDATE: I forgot to include Matt Hasselbeck with the other QB options. He's the oldest of the group and will turn 36 in September. Hasselbeck has thrown 34 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in his last 35 games (since 2008). But, like Bulger, he can be had for zero in return since Hasselbeck is a free agent.
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Matt Hasselbeck, Trufant and a second and third round pick in 2012 for Kolb. Hasselback would be a great backup for Vick. I know Philly fans think Big Red is a Dummy but you cannot deny his quarterback coaching. Hasselbeck would love to be a backup in Philly. Remember his brother said he played on 5 differant teams, a couple with Super Bowl winning coaches, and said Reid was the best by far and #2 wasn't even close. I know the so called savy Philly fans and idiot Philly media hated hearing that.— phillboyinhawaii- Koncussion King Kolb Knows About Checkdowns...dude you gotta be the most delusional person on this planet thinkin like that. Cards trade Padlock to philly, that's awesomely funny stuff-thanks for that.— twill.80
- kolb is in no way better than sanchez and if he is traded look for a 5th round pick(he really is not worth that much). He will be injured or pulled from the line-up because of ineptness in the 2011 season wherever he lands(if there is a season)some of you talk about kolb as if he is the 2nd coming of jurgenson when he is nothing more than another bobby hoying.— only 9
- Number of seasons Kolb was named a starter: ONE
Number of seasons he has completed without injury: ZERO
KK has never completed a full season as a starter. Look it up!
Kinda sad that some teams with playoff aspirations [SF, Minny,] and some with no QB at all [Titans, Bills, Jags, Panthers, Bengals] opted for raw rookies rather than the "proven" skills of the ham ripper. Speaks volumes to me. Seattle staying with Whitehirst is a ditto if that's the case. Maybe all those GMs aren't as dumb as we think they are? There KK is for the taking and the response was a resounding, "I'll take what's behind door #2".— tpizza - I agree, Sheil. All of those quarterbacks are unproven, if we're talking 2011-2014. Kolb is the best of the lot, though Hasselbeck would be better this year. Kolb won't be terrible, but I believe he needs a really good team around him, like Sanchez in NY.— armchairGM
- I like Kolb,he's gonna be traded though. This idea that Kolb is gonna be traded for Peterson!?...Thats a laugh,never happen...Never! Kolb and how many picks? The Lions tried to move up only eight spots,offering a 1,2,and a 4 along with the first round swap and The Cards declined. It would take a deal like that and Kolb..maybe even more to pull of that trade. Thats too much! Kolb's worth two high picks by himself. Way!..to many picks for one player that has proved nothing. The eagles will spend there money on a proven guy and get instant impact,with no learning curve. If he was the next Revis I might think about it. At this point though thats too much risk for one player.— Eaglecheesehead
Comment removed.- Just love the hypocrites, they portray KK as a useless waste yet they talk about a high number one draft pick for him.— Kioto
- I'm still not seeing it. Nothing personal against Kolb, but he's nothing more than a backup qb who had 3 good games. When he flops at the next team he's on, a lot of us will be saying, "I told you so." AJ Feeley Part II.— mjc1
- sheil,great article,IMO KK is a perfect fit for the arizona cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald and with ken weizenhunt he will also have a balance rushing game,if KK goes to the cardinals i predict a SB visit for the Cards before the Birds,,the FO is torn on trading KK knowing they will be on a hire wire without a safety net,MV has not played a complete (full) season in 6 years,look it up...pizza.— ppizza
- That's a good break for Kolb. The Cardinals are closer to a win-now situation than the Eagles having won twice as many playoff games as the Eagles in the last 3 seasons.— jtj06
- Regarding the teams that need a QB, of the teams listed in the article, the one Sheil almost didn't include, Seattle, seems to have the most need. I believe they only have 1 QB, Whitehurst, and didn't take one in the draft. With Hasselback a free agent, I think Seattle is the dark horse in the Kolb sweepstakes.— watsonmr
- Mabus, yeah, pp, wiff's favorite toy.
The comments about Reid are really ridiculous in this instance at least. What coach, GM or owner of any team talks to the press and gives out advanced info? Couldn't you hear the uproar if prior to the draft Reid had said, yeah we're lining up a trade with team A so we can land player x. Nothing like tipping your hand. Hope these guys aren't poker players.
As to KK, I don't think anyone wishes him ill. He was caught in a bad situation from day 1. Couldn't unseat McNabb, then when he got a chance he "met" Clay M. which opened the door for Vick. Truth be told though I can't believe anyone would give a #1 pick for him. I just can't see him as anything other than a back up or stop gap. Remind me never to play poker with Reid if he can get a #1 for him or more. Surprised there are still people who want to keep KK and trade Vick though. Guess lessening the talent at QB makes the Eagles a better team? It's either that or the ulterior motives you suggest. Me? Give me the best players. I root for the team and could care less who the players are. Wish that was universal.— tpizza - So people are surprised that Reid didn't say "Yep, we're trading KK to Zona as soon as the stay is lifted"? Why would he do that if he could and why would anyone expect him to under any circumstances? Only a moron would reveal that info and like him or not he isn't a moron. Fans are not entitled to the inner workings of the team or any advanced info. Writers who ask questions knowing Reid can't answer them any differently than he does are kidding themselves too. Get over it.
Mabus, cockroaches ARE difficult to kill aren't they. Guess there was no internet in Betty Ford...or Attica.— tpizza - Ha ha, you're absolutely right about Reid and wiff. "pp" (apt nickname for wiff, no?) can't back up any of his statements and disappears when called out. Still, I must admit it is fun and sad at the same time.
I'm conflicted, though. While I wish Kolb well wherever he goes (as long as it doesn't hurt the Eagles), a part of me also wishes he's exposed to be the mediocre QB he's been so far for the Eagles. A lot of that has to do with the blind worship by folks like wiff who appear to have other "motives" for propping him up over Mc5 & Vick without accomplishments to match either of them.— Mabus - 1) It would be not only uncharacteristic, but stupid for Reid to tip his hand on the Kolb trade. 2) Zona is definitely in the hunt but I wouldn't rule out other teams just yet and wouldn't rule out other QB's that AZ is interested in. They may think that Mc5 would do well in their system and with Fitz. Hasselback also for that matter and Bulger has been linked with them already. 3) pp izza moron and a bitter small minded person and I'm surprised he hasn't spewed some nonsense on this (his hero's) article— Mabus
- Trade the gut for a bag of quareters and two large sticks. He stinks and will never make it in this league. Another Andy Reid creation that doesn't live up to all of the hype...like Bradley, Patterson, Bunkley and that defensive end who collects sacks in the fourth quarter when the game has already been decided. You know which one I mean.— Fritz and Alice
- Hold onto Kolb for as long as possible. Existing vacancies and potential injuries early next season will get his value to skyrocket. Must get a 1st rounder for him.— ATrucksess
- Comment removed.
- Why would anyone want Bulger? I still think Palmer can be decent if he gets away from that pathetic franchise— peteike
- Makes sense, IF the Eagles don't hold up Kolb for a ransom......Reid and Banner always over-value their trade bait....so if they insist on a number one and alot more, we will see Kolb in Eagle green again....— nuggett
- Nice work Sheil. You seem to be the only one that does his homework and gives us all something worth reading in these slow times. Keep up the good work.— philly_J
If Kolb goes to AZ, look for Skelton to be part of the return package. I remember the Eagles really like the kid's arm last year before the draft.— centard
i agree sheil, i think kolb would be a better option than mcnabb or palmer. however, i think many people read too far into the mcnabb benching for grossman. wasn't the deal with the eagles that mcnabb had to play a certain amount of games for the eagles to get a 3rd round pick rather than the 4th round pick they did get? this has to at least be a significant factor in the mcnabb benching..— MPatt24- I guess there's no shot of Patrick Peterson being traded for Kolb? We can give them our 18 small, fast-as-lightening, endless motor DEs to sweeten the deal.— AllDawk_AllTheTime
- Great work as usual Sheil.
— soybot
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