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ESPN analyst Cris Carter said Monday that Ken Whisenhunt's inability to find a consistent quarterback will cost him his job in Arizona (AP File Photo).
When the Arizona Cardinals hired Ken Whisenhunt in January 2007, they did so primarily because of the work he had done as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, especially in the development of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Seven quarterbacks have started for the Cardinals since Whisenhunt's tenure began in the Valley six years ago. And save for a two-year stretch where former MVP Kurt Warner led the team to their lone Super Bowl appearance and two division titles in 2008 and 2009, Whisenhunt's carousel of quarterbacks has been a major part of the problem, not the solution in recent years.

This season, Whisenhunt has started three different players under center -- John Skelton, Kevin Kolb and Ryan Lindley -- and while injuries have played a role in the team's quarterback shuffle, ESPN analyst Cris Carter said it primarily has to do with the coach's gross mismanagement of the position.

"They've had bad quarterback play outside of Kurt Warner, since [Whisenhunt] has been there," Carter said Monday. "He's supposed to be an offensive coach and responsible for that position. So, I don't think it's funny at all."

From Derek Anderson to Max Hall and on down through Lindley, the Cardinals have quickly returned to one of the NFL's proverbial punch lines based solely on their atrocious play at the league's prime position. And after Sunday's 58-0 shellacking in Seattle, Carter thinks Whisenhunt's inability to coach up his quarterbacks ultimately cost him his job.

"Where I believe that Ken Whisenhunt [has gone wrong] is in his inability to find a quarterback in Arizona," said Carter. "I believe it's going to cost him his job."

If Whisenhunt is to be fired in the coming weeks or at the end of the season, Carter points to the acquisition of Kolb as the main source of the coach's problems.

While Kolb has been the starter in three of the team's four wins in 2012 and led a comeback drive in relief of Skelton back in Week 1, a lack of durability has plagued the Cardinals quarterback during his two years in Arizona.

Since coming over in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in July 2011, Kolb has played in just 15 of a potential 29 games.

"Andy Reid bamboozled them on that trade for Kolb," said Carter. "Kolb is no good. That's the beginning of the problem, when you trade for a starter who has been worse than the backups."

In 15 appearances with Arizona, Kolb has thrown 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I have to agree
    His inability to coach up the QB position IS THE MAIN ISSUE. So its concerning that if we get that young Franchise QB we need, will Whiz be able to expand and progress that QB? I dont want to find out if he will be able to or not! He has to go!
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    StubbyJ23 wrote...
    @FitzIsMyHero
    He obviously hasn't been able to do anything with young QBs. We'll just use Skelton as the screaming example. Been with the Cards for 3 years with a few different opportunities to start, although he's shown some stints of being decent his overall play blows. Whiz does not have the ability to bring up a QB without the latent skill that the player himself has. Honestly the Bidwell's need to bite the bullet and fork over the $5 million and get someone else.
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    Rainex80 wrote...
    Just a QB?
    How about the inability to find an offense? We sometimes forget, we could have had Adrian Peterson. Since Boldin noone has been brought in to be a #2 to Fitz. The running backs he brings in cannot stay on the field. You draft Williams who was injury prone in college and first two seasons, injuries. Wells is a joke at this point. Comes off the IR only a week later to be questionable going into the game. O-line has been ignored. TE's that dont really amount to anything. Its not just a QB he hasnt been able to find. Dennis Green built a great offense, Wisenhunt knew what to do with that.
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    CardsFan_ wrote...
    Why is anyone listening to Carter on this?
    "Kolb is no good. That's the beginning of the problem, when you trade for a starter who has been worse than the backups." This should disqualify him from commenting on anything Cardinals related. Kolb's been a better QB than any others on this team over the last 3 years, he certainly hasn't been worse than the backups. Kolb's problem is health, not ability. Anyone who's paid even an ounce of attention to the QB situation on the Cardinals knows that at this point.
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    theuglytruth wrote...
    Rainex
    ...Rod Graves is in charge of talent acquisition...it's his main job as GM. Blame him for drafting of Levi Brown over Adrian Peterson, for no QB, no Oline, and bad drafts. That's how the NFL works! Coaches...coach, GM's are in charge of talent!
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    KDub&ADub1324 wrote...
    Are you kidding me?
    I've said it before, and I'll say it again..Cris Carter is a joke. Kolb is worst than the backups? Give me a break. This guy has no credibility in anything he says, after that statement. The QB play has been one thing (without Kolb), but there are other issues that have plagued this team that hasnt helped, such as BAD OLINE play, INJURED RBs, DROPPED PASSES, MENTAL MISTAKES, ETC....Carter was a good player in his time, but an idiot outside of the game. I don't know whos worse, him or Michael Irvin...
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