Four different quarterbacks took snaps for the Arizona Cardinals last season as the team struggled to find consistency under center.
Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer each had a chance to start at quarterback last season for the Cardinals. Kolb was the most effective of the group as he earned three of the team’s five wins on the year and posted a team-best 86.1 passer rating in six games played.
Kolb was lost for the season when he sustained a serious rib injury in a 19-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. Kolb has largely been considered a bust since the Cardinals acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade prior to the 2011 season. Arizona kicked the tires on possibly trading for San Francisco 49ers (soon to be Kansas City Chiefs) quarterback Alex Smith and could pursue Matt Cassel as well. However, Cardinals guard Adam Snyder believes Kolb has the ability to get the job done.
Kevin is a hell of a leader and a great football player. It's our job to let him show his potential. We will be better. All of us.
— Adam Snyder (@ASnyds68) March 1, 2013
I know I'm sick of hearing about it. He has everything you want in a QB. I've seen it first hand.
— Adam Snyder (@ASnyds68) March 1, 2013
Kolb replaced an injured Skelton in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks and led a critical scoring drive to give the Cardinals a 20-16 victory. With Kolb as the starter, Arizona began the season 4-0 with a win over the Patriots in New England as well. In six games, Kolb had completed 60-percent of his passes and threw for 1,169 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Cardinals have to get better quarterback play next season no matter how they decide to address the problem. Whether it’s just getting better play from Kolb or the other quarterbacks on the Arizona roster or bringing in someone else to try to improve, figuring out a way to see better performance under center will be one of the biggest keys to the Cardinals’ off-season.