The honeymoon is over for Kevin Kolb

By Mark Asher/Arizona Sports
Published: September 26, 2011 @ 8:59am
Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor, left, celebrates his interception as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) holds his head as he walks off the field late in the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 13-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor, left, celebrates his interception as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) holds his head as he walks off the field late in the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 13-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Two months ago Arizona Cardinals fans got a brand new toy that had them so excited they couldn't wait to get home and play with it. It was a toy they hadn't had in over a year and knew that once they had this toy all their other toys would work so much better. The toy was a QB named Kevin Kolb, and the Cardinals had to trade a toy they already had to get the new one. The toy they traded was a really good toy, that sometimes would frustrate the fans, but they knew in the long run they kind of needed the new one.

It's kind of like the movie Toy Story. Kevin Kolb was the toy that didn't get played with in his other house, but once we got him he was happy to be the top toy and get the top toy attention. The problem I am starting to see is that the toy sometimes looks cooler in the box and then once you get the toy out and start to play with it, it doesn't work as well as you think it should.

That is where I am at right now. The Arizona Cardinals are 1-2 on the season. Even with that hand me down toy at QB last year the team was 2-1. The team has lost two straight on the road and probably should have won both games, and if they did I wouldn't even be writing this column. However, I am writing this column because all that matters to me are wins and losses, and right now the Cardinals have more losses and that just won't cut it.

This division is terrible once again and it seems like a race to 8 wins to be called champion. Now I will say the blame should not fall completely on the shoulders of Kolb; he has actually been ok through 3 games and there are plenty of other problems this team is facing.

The interception on the last drive, to me, is what separates the good from the not so good. That was the drive Kolb needed to get for us to love our new toy again. Go get a win, get this team into first place and start carving your own niche in this town. Instead, today a lot of people are uttering the phrase "same old Cardinals."

The bye is in three weeks and the best the Cardinals can be is 3-2 going into it. After that you have Pittsburgh and Baltimore waiting for you, and if you thought it was tough to move the ball against Seattle just wait!

I don't want to see this season go in the wrong direction again. Last year was not fun at all and this year is supposed to be different, and it's all because of the new toy that didn't get played with at his old house. Kevin Kolb, please go win some games so we don't have to put you in the attic with all the other defective toys we have had!

Mark Asher can be reached with your questions and comments by e-mail here, you can follow him on Twitter @Ash620, or you can be friends with him on Facebook. All of Mark Asher's past columns.
29 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Dave T. wrote...
    Spot On - But Just Scratching the Surface.
    September 26, 2011 10:42 am
    I've said it since last season ended. And I'll paraphrase again: Gabbert + DRC + Next Years #2 >> Kolb + Peterson. That being said, I'm really starting to question the coaching. Why Horton picked this week to scale back blitzing confuses me. And some of the offensive play calls leave me scratching my head. They need more variety in their sets. I'm starting to think that serious changes - especially at the OC - need to happen for this team to be competitive.
  • Abuse
    Firemagoo wrote...
    Trouble!
    September 26, 2011 10:56 am
    Bottom line is this team is not that good. I think we were all hoping it would be but they are not. Against a pathetic Seattle team we got one lucky hail Mary type touchdown. Our receivers do not gain separation and their receivers run wide open. Our o-line needs to hold a block. Enough of this one contact and then no more playing. How many times do we see them downfield not blocking. Sadly we will get throttled by the good teams. Ddockett "soft as cotton" really? This team talks a good game but can't back it up.
  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Twitter
    September 26, 2011 11:13 am
    I for one think it's time for these players to focus on ways to win, ways to improve....rather than spend time on twitter. Time to get to work!
  • Abuse
    Michael M wrote...
    Same Old Cardinals
    September 26, 2011 12:09 pm
    ...but not the same old problem. Before it was ownership that didn't put money into the team. I'll give Mr. B credit. He invested in this team. What I"m talking about is performance. The players aren't stepping up and playcalling is horrible on both sides of the ball. Too early on Kolb. Bad game. Lets see how he responds.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I agree with all of you
    September 26, 2011 12:19 pm
    about everything you all had to say. The O playcalling on 2nd and 3rd downs was very questionable. Our WR's didnt gain seperation. The O line was horrible. This team needs to get to work and work hard because they have a very tough schedule coming up. This loss doesnt weigh heavily on Kolbs shoulders alone. There were mistakes made by everyone. If this team wants to win they need to get to work and fix those mistakes. Another heart breaking loss to a team they should have won. It's unfortunate because they lost because of mistakes, again....
  • Abuse
    GoCards90 wrote...
    C'mon
    September 26, 2011 12:20 pm
    Didn't have any offseason, and was left with a shortened training camp to pick up this offense. I realize the opponents we have played are nothing to write home about, but this was his first bad game. It's amazing how quick people are to b.tch and moan about his poor play when he's had limited time in this offense. I guess whatever gets people to comment and read, right? Keep it up, Jay Mariotti..I mean, Ash.
  • Abuse
    6thCavAirCav wrote...
    Who is calling the plays???
    September 26, 2011 12:24 pm
    The 5 dive got 3-5 yards thats okay. The screen pass has never worked for the Cardinals. Always seem to has a tell tell sign that gives it away. Need to make plays that will break Fitz out for some catches. The OC was predictable in the third and fourth quarters and ran the same script to many times.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Schedule
    September 26, 2011 12:51 pm
    As Ash pointed out, the schedule gets a lot tougher now. The Cards needed to be 3-0 against the first few mediocre opponents. 2-6 and 1-7 now looks like a real possibility.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Or
    September 26, 2011 12:52 pm
    I meant 2-6 OR 1-7. I hope to heck I'm wrong.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Or
    September 26, 2011 12:52 pm
    I meant 2-6 OR 1-7. I hope to heck I'm wrong.
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