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Am I shocked? Am I surprised?

I am happy.

I'm happy the Cardinals went with John Skelton as their starting quarterback. His selection feels right and natural. Comfortable. He never grabbed the job as forcefully as we would've liked, but between his arm strength, pocket poise and size it seems to me he gives the Cardinals more of a chance to reach their potential, wherever that may end up being. Up until the Titans game he was the clear leader in this race and had to deal with the most difficult handicap of the preseason: D.J. Young at left tackle. Between his shaky play and the dropped passes, it made a proper evaluation of Skelton nearly impossible. I have to think that collectively the locker room nods in approval at this choice.

Had Kolb been named the starter, it would have felt forced. A choice of circumstance rather than competition. No doubt he had his moments in that Titans game, but his lows are so low (the sacks, the unexplainable picks) that it felt he would end up doing you more harm than good. Skelton plays the position with a projection of calmness. Kolb, chaos.

It goes without saying we'll probably see Kolb at some point this season, and I'd even bet a mortgage payment Ryan Lindley shows up in a game or two in 2012.

It was a brave pick for Whisenhunt. Right on cue, moments after the announcement, the tweets from NFL writers began filling the timeline. About how the Kolb trade was a disaster. The worst ever. The fact that he chose Skelton over Kolb indicates he respects the locker room and the notion of competition more than avoiding the inevitable criticism.

But make no mistake, just because Whisenhunt made the right choice on Friday doesn't mean he won't have to answer for the wrong choice that was made a year ago. How exactly he'll have to answer for it is a conversation for another day and is likely tied to the results of 2012. The re-signing of Larry Fitzgerald and the lack of QB options from last summer have to be factored into that evaluation.

For now, the coach got it right and that's all that matters.

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    CroDawg wrote...
    This is a possible scenario...
    A loss to Seattle leads to a probable 0-3 start. Whiz becomes on the hot seat, the love for Skelton dies off, and Whiz has to go with Kolb. What happens there I don't know. But he'll get Miami and St. Louis and very possible wins. Now Skelton is done for the year and will be a career backup because you only get one shot nowadays. Yes, Lindley may play which shows your lack of confidence in Skelton which is kinda contradictory to your end zone celebration about Skelton.
  • Abuse
    CroDawg wrote...
    Did the coach really get it right?
    Like I said, an 0-3 start is far more likely than a 3-0 or even a 2-1 start. If Kolb started and they go 0-3 he's done an Whiz is definitely on the hot seat. If they start 0-3 with Skelton, fans and media will make all kinds of excuses for Whiz and then no one will question him having to go with Kolb. I hope I'm wrong, but like Gambo I'm usually right about these things.
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    chardman wrote...
    wrong choice a year ago?
    first off Kolb last year seemed like a good choice cuz we had no other choices, PLUS Fitz said he may not re sign if moves werent made, Fitz wanted Kolb, we picked up Kolb, Fitz Re signed for the rest of his career, now Kolb sucks, the mistake that was made was giving Kolb that large of a contract, so its really the gm's fault....Rod Graves
  • Abuse
    Realistic wrote...
    And
    please for the love of God, would everybody stop talking up how Whiz rode Kurts hot hand? I was in ATL when DG benched KW and I couldnt have been happier(and since I have been a season tckt holder for 10+ years now, I have heard all the boos and profanities that came with Kurt as well)... Whiz adjusted to Kurts strengths and they were BOTH successful in this, not just "lucky for Whiz" like all these Bandwagon fans talk trash about...
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    CardzGoHard wrote...
    Easy Call
    The fact of the matter is we have 6 very capable receivers including a 1st ballot hall of famer with no time to waste, money is one thing a 2 rounder and drc is another but time is not replaceable youtube: Sports Science John Skelton . I believe it's going to be hard fo this kid to fail he's strong he's big he's calm he has four good RBs, the OLine and Whiz and Millers play calling are his biggest threats
  • Abuse
    rockin_az wrote...
    Criticism?? Really??
    It blows my mind that people are blasting the Cards or Whis at all for the Kolb trade. You couldn't go a day during the lockout without hearing that the Cards needed a QB and that the best option out there was Kolb. He had the potential, the skills and some experience. It's upsetting that a lot of the people now blasting the trade were the same one's driving the train suggesting that he was the best option!The Cards had to do something they should get credit that they went out and tried to make something happen.
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    rockin_az wrote...
    Cristicism?? Really?? Pt 2
    Instead of thinking Whis should be on the hot seat, why don't people take into consideration the incredible job he and his staff did keeping a calm and collective focus to finish last year on the right foot? It's been proven that what he does works, the team buys in...if only everyone else could see that. IN WHIZ WE TRUST.
  • Abuse
    Mgoblu62 wrote...
    does it matter
    with the o line they are at best 6-10 my guess 4-12 they have no QB or o line at the end of the season you will see
  • Abuse
    hugUhbear wrote...
    Everyone's predictions for the Cards points
    to a nervous fanbase. One thing Grimm as an O-line coach has taught his o-line, is how to run block. We do have a young QB and an o-line short on pass protection skills so I see the run game being a major player in Cards ball 2012. Good thing about that is we are better equiped than ever to sustain a run offense, especially since we also have 'real' weapons at the WR + TE to pass to and keep Defenses honest.
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    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    David Charles
    Another solid column. I usually find myself nodding in agreement with what you say / write for 620 because I can tell you're a true Valley fan. CroDawg, I think you have some very good points. This could get ugly by Week 4, but the important thing is for Valley fans and media to realize this is going to be a bad year and not call for Whiz/Graves heads. They have taken this organization into unchartered territory and I believe they are the men for the job.
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