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About 24 hours after the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt, it was reported, and by some pretty reliable people, that there was a 95% chance Andy Reid would be the team's next head coach.

Reid had just been fired by the Philadelphia Eagles after 14 mostly successful seasons, but was looking for another job and the Cardinals seemed like a good fit.

We know how it shook out, however. Reid never made it to Arizona for an interview -- much less a job offer -- and he was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs to run their on-field operation.

So what happened?

Jamie Dukes, a former Cardinal and now an analyst on NFL Network, has a theory on that and shared it Friday with Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 620.

"He's already gone, but I would've grabbed Andy Reid in a second," Dukes said in response to a query on whom he'd hire as head coach if he was the Cardinals' general manager. "And the reason I would've grabbed Andy Reid because I knew one of two things -- he's going to bring Donovan McNabb or Michael Vick with him -- because you've got to do something at quarterback. That's what it all boils down to."

Dukes making reference to the importance of the quarterback position is hardly earth-shattering stuff, but the names he threw out are. Vick lost his job in Philadelphia to rookie Nick Foles partly due to injury, and McNabb didn't suit up for any team in 2012 after a less-than-promising one-season stint in Minnesota.

But the interview got more interesting from there.

"I found it telling also that Andy, while he flirted with the idea of coming to Arizona, he didn't want any part of Kevin Kolb," he said. "What that tells me is that until they solve that quarterback issue, it doesn't matter who they bring in."

Kolb, of course, started his career in Philadelphia under Reid, and eventually became the Eagles' starter. In 2010, he lost the job due to a concussion, and Vick played MVP-caliber football in his absence, leading the Eagles to the playoffs. Following the season, Kolb was dealt to Arizona in a trade that sent Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia.

listen Listen: Jamie Dukes, NFL Network Analyst
Dukes made some though-provoking statements on the AZ Cardinals' head coaching search and QB condundrum.
Kolb's time in Arizona has been punctuated with several injuries that have allowed him to play in only 15 of the Cardinals' 32 games over the last two seasons. Despite the litany of ailments that have kept him on the sideline, team president Michael Bidwill showed some support for Kolb at a press conference last week.

"I'm not ready to give up on Kevin Kolb yet," Bidwill said.

Kolb has thrown for 3,124 yards in 15 games as a Cardinal, completing 58.5 percent (255-of-436) of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Kolb has four years remaining on his contract, which he signed in July of 2011.

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    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Article title is misleading
    but it wouldn't be the first time. Dukes' quote was taken out of context. He was saying that Reid wanted no part of Kolb, but it was speculation on his part, he did not hear this info from anyone, at least, not according to his interview.
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    wsphxcardsfan wrote...
    garbage reporting
    I am tired of the lousy reporting on this site. Please see the following article, which debunks the "insider's" "theory": http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000121034/article/andy-reid-to-tell-arizona-cardinals-hell-fix-kevin-kolb This website didn't bother to do their research and report the other side of this non-story and as a result you have ppl on here making judgments from a false premise. Either the editors knew very well their headline is misleading or they are too incompetent to know the difference. Either way, I am done with this garbage reporting.
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    jayvodka wrote...
    No truth in Jamie Dukes opinion.
    Jamie Dukes is ignorant. I can think of 20 ex-NFL player that can do a better job then Dukes on the NFL network. A. Reid choose to go work in KC mainly because of POWER!
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    Whatashame wrote...
    It's Laughable
    that anybody criticizes the quality or objectiveness of articles on this site. The professional and university teams in this town skate for the most part because this company gets all of their revenue from their rights to broadcast our sorry professional and university crap. Objective and pocket stuffing sadly do not go hand in hand. I chuckle every day on my drive home when I forget to turn the dial from my morning listen to Mike and Mike and have to hear the pap of Doug and Wolf.
  • Abuse
    the cooker wrote...
    Jamie Who???!!!
    I see nowhere in this article where this guy claims to have talked to Reid or have an unnamed source. When did this guy plays for the Cards? Never heard of him.
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    Paso23Fan4Life wrote...
    McNabb really? Maybe Jeff George available!
    When Whiz was there we got used to his crazy ideas. Smarter heads will prevail. I have faith Mr. Keim realizes we have to have a strong, smart, talented, as well as a durable QB. I was on the “SkeltonTrain” this year. I will be the first to admit my mistake as Kolb proved me wrong. That being said, do we need another QB? Absolutely, whether it's through the draft, free agents or even Ryan, we have to have a top QB in the wings. I believe A. Smith would be GREAT to compete with Kolb. Smith would shove it down the 49ers throats twice a year! That may be the motivation he needs to thrive.
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    nodoubtiichronicles wrote...
    Non issue
    What Reid did or did not think of Kolb at this point is a non issue. We have seen with our own eyes how Kolb is--ok when healthy, but that is nary 50% of the time. He got what he was looking for in KC--guess we shall see how that pans out
  • Abuse
    Fred K. wrote...
    kolb
    look at the man he has no passion to play. he got the money now he just wants to sit it out. he is a wus.get rid of all the qb losers and git smith or vick.
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