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The Arizona Cardinals are just two days away from their final preseason game against the Denver Broncos, and still no decision has been made by head coach Ken Whisenhunt on whom the starting quarterback will be for the 2012 season.

Possibly complicating matters is the fact that Whisenhunt has also stated neither Kevin Kolb nor John Skelton will see any playing time Thursday against the Broncos. Instead we'll see a steady diet of rookie Ryan Lindley and veteran journeyman Rich Bartel calling the signals for the Cardinals.

ESPN NFL insider John Clayton appeared on Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio Tuesday morning and painted a pretty unflattering picture of what the Cardinals are facing at the QB position.

"What Whisenhunt has said is that he's going to see how they practice...well, I mean is that going to be any different than what we've seen so far," Clayton said. "I'm sure that he'd love to be able to go to the team and say we want to have Kevin Kolb as a starter, try to go a little bit more no-huddle, try to do some different things, but the situation is so bad."

So how will things shake out, according to Clayton?

"I think it'll still end up being John Skelton," he said. "Kevin Kolb has really regressed as opposed to progressed, and even though Skelton hasn't 'wowed it' or done anything great, he's played a little bit better and I think he has a little bit more of the locker room than Kevin Kolb."

There has been speculation by some that if Kolb fails to secure the starting spot, the Cardinals could explore waiving him. Clayton doesn't think that will happen, for financial reasons.

"There's just too much guaranteed in this year's contract and also if you're going to let a guy go and eat up some of that guaranteed money, you have to pay somebody too, and it doesn't make good financial sense," he said. "In the end, you just have to sit through this year and then make a move maybe after this season."

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    OpinionH8d wrote...
    I think it will be Kolb
    I agree with Clayton's assessment except for the starter pick. Comes down to money since Skelton blew his chance against Tenn. If Kolb doesn't get injured in the first 4 games, I'll be shocked. By game 5 minimum, Skelton will be starting.
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    Guyinaz wrote...
    Geeze azsiouxboy
    The Cardinals don't even run the West Coast offense, so why would we need McNabb? Kolb came from a West Coast offense in Philly - do you not know the difference?
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    @azsiouxboy
    are you kidding me? a major reason kolb struggles is because we DONT run the west coast offense and thats all he knows
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    TempeCardsFan wrote...
    Donovan McNabb Won't Help!
    Cards don't run the West Coast Offense - an offense predicated on short quick timing routes like the Philadelphia Eagles (which Kolb is obviously more comfortable in). The Cards run a read and react passing game, and that's what's been difficult for Kolb - reading defenses, going thru his progressions, and staying in the pocket long enough for the passing routes to develop. The last thing the Cards need is a washed up McNabb who wouldn't be any better than Kolb in running the Cards offense.
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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I like what Carroll is doing
    With his QB competition in Seattle. It's like he's trying to find his QB. Oh wait... Isn't Whiz trying to find his QB too??? Hmmm.... Am I saying for Whiz to try out Lindley with the 1st offense? Absolutely! The worst that is going to happen is he's going to do as better as Kolb and Skelton. It doesn't get worst than them lol. Maybe he's been watching and he sees what has to be done to move the ball in the air behind this o line (0.33 second release).
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    Steve S. wrote...
    Jolly Jokers
    The Cards are basically driving a bus with no driver. The line seems to get crushed, so that adds to their ineptness. If we manage 6 wins, that will be huge. I don't know who's out there that could come in and play but maybe they should be looking at a Canadian League QB or someone from the Arena league. Either way, Kolb is getting away with robbery. I said all along, never pay a guy that hasn't proved jack!
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    parrotheadkrm wrote...
    Start Kolb....
    ...he will take a few snaps, get injured, be out for 6 or 7 weeks, and the whole "controversy" will be over.
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    SpaceRig wrote...
    Whiz isn't afraid to play them both
    I just realized that most of us have forgotten 2007 and the fact that Whiz isn't afraid to play 2 QBs until the issue works itself out or a guy wins the job. Anyone remember the days of Leinart starting games and Warner finishing them until Leinart broke his collar bone? I'm not saying entering the season like this is a good thing but we probably need to stop assuming that it's going to be an outright disaster.
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    Redman55 wrote...
    Clean house starting with Whisenhunt
    For the record, Ken Whisenhunt is lost. Since Warner retired he has been unable to move this team forward. So one has to ask, was it really Warner who "ran" the offense? I think the answer is quite obvious. Add to this our horrible offensive line. Finally, trading for Kolb was the absolute worst move under Whisenhunt's watch. He needs to be fired and probably will after this season.
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