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AP: f9c351b8-6cac-47b9-915a-44addb895a6d
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) and Ryan Lindley (14) run drills during NFL football practice on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals are to face the New England Patriots on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Arizona Cardinals are hopeful that Kevin Kolb, in the lineup for an injured John Skelton, will step up and play well against the New England Patriots.

ESPN NFL insider John Clayton, though, isn't confident that's going to be what happens Sunday in Foxborough.

"It could get real ugly," he told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf Friday. "I don't know if it will get ugly, but it's just going to be disappointing."

Clayton said Kolb leading the Cardinals on a game-winning drive against Seattle last week is probably not enough to make everyone believe he's turned the corner and ready to be an effective NFL quarterback, especially since the last year or so has been a struggle for the former Eagle.

"If you can't win over your team, and Kevin Kolb hasn't won over his team, that's a problem," he said. "To a point where the only reason he's starting right now is because of the injury."

Clayton noted that Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt's refusal to formally announce Kolb as his starter Sunday is another sign that there may not be a lot of confidence in the quarterback.

listen Listen: John Clayton, ESPN NFL insider
ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton joins Doug and Tim to talk about the major injuries in the NFL in week two. Clayton also pokes fun at his latest ESPN commercial.
"We all know Skelton's going to miss a couple weeks," Clayton said. "You can see that Ken's putting all the pressure for Kevin to try to win something and win over some people, but so far he's not been able to do that and I think that's very concerning."

Whether the Cardinals believe in Kolb or not, the QB will have an opportunity to prove himself Sunday in New England.
8 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Missed the mark
    September 14, 2012 4:49 pm
    Whiz not announcing him the starter has absolutely nothing to do with confidence in Kolb. It's gamesmenship, and it's respect for the starters on his team. #1. He doesn't have to give New England competitive info...so he doesn't. Belichick does the same thing. #2. Whiz has veteran starters up & down the roster, he has a standing commitment that you won't lose your job because of injury. He gave Kolb the same respect last year, and Kolb came back to start late in the season. He's not going to abandon that because the media and fans think they deserve an announcement. That's ridiculous.
  • Abuse
    KDub&ADub1324 wrote...
    right....
    September 14, 2012 5:36 pm
    Kolb hasn't won over team. LOL. He may not have "won" them over according to Clayton, but I'd rather listen to Dock, Colledge, and ADub when it comes to how the team feels about Kolb (you know, guys that actually know and see him everyday), than some Mr. Garrison look alike and other media fools across the country that think they know what goes on inside AZ's locker room. I get that one drive is not enough to celebrate about, but it still proves he can win a game, which shows progression, and is something AZ hadn't seen up until this point.
  • Abuse
    CroDawg wrote...
    more gobbly goop from the national media
    September 14, 2012 6:36 pm
    They have no respect for the Cards as a team. Maybe they should not even show up, just stay home for the weekend.
  • Abuse
    whatajoke wrote...
    puss n boots
    September 14, 2012 7:12 pm
    I think Whiz isn't ruling Skelton out because Kolb might get a "chest bruise" or another concussion. We might see a death on the field this year with this o-line.
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    My Question
    September 14, 2012 7:32 pm
    Why would anyone take what Clayton says seriously? This has NEVER been an athlete. He's nothing but a computer geek with search engine skills. As usual, ESPN never has anything good to say about the Cardinals.
    Dale
  • Abuse
    whatajoke wrote...
    it could get ugly...
    September 14, 2012 10:13 pm
    Sure Kolb looked great for that one drive last week. I hope he did grow from it but his history has shown us when he does something good very soon he will either throw a pick, take a sack for a safety, get injured or put them out of field goal range. Hard to get behind a guy like that.
  • Abuse
    redbread wrote...
    He is a geek but he is right.
    September 16, 2012 4:33 pm
    I know personally that the team wants Skelton to be under center. Could you not see the distress in their faces when Skelton went down. I'm grateful he managed this great win over the Patriots but, this was a defensive win. Also I can tell Whiz doesn't have confidence to let Kolb throw the ball in certain throwing situations!! Fitz had one catch, double covered on not coaching has to find a way to get your best player involved and "Howling-Wolf Hyphen" needs to start at RB.
  • Abuse
    cardinalpowers wrote...
    Really the defense won the game...
    September 16, 2012 6:38 pm
    not Kolb. The defense had nothing to do with Skeltons wins last year. Give Kolb a chance he didn't look spectacular but he had no picks and he sustained drives enough to keep the defense rested. I defy any one to be placed into the starting position, with no fan confidence against the Pats in New England. He looked as comfortable as Ive seen him in the pocket. Skelton will be back, right now enjoy the fact the Cards are 2-0.
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