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AP: 19fdf142-b714-4099-a466-35ba917a4b38
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) watches the final minute from the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
To understand how Kevin Kolb got here (and we're not talking about his trade from Philadelphia), then we need to comprehend where he's coming from (and we're not talking about his high school & college playing days in Texas).

No, we're talking about recent history. Very recent. As in, hitting rock-bottom less than a month ago. And when we say bottoming out, hey, don't take our word for it. Take into consideration what Ryan Williams told ABC15 Sports after the running back redeemed himself against the Eagles after his near-fateful fumble a week earlier in New England:

"He (Kolb) came to me, 'cause I had said to a reporter earlier that I feel like I wasn't making plays like they wanted me to. I felt like I wasn't living up to the expectation that they had for me," Williams recalled. "Kevin Kolb said: 'Hey, how do you think I feel? You come out, home team and your home fans boo you.' He was like, 'They pay you so much and you can't make the plays that they want you to make, so how do you think I feel?'"

We can only imagine how it must've felt to come off the bench in the season opener against Seattle, just a week after losing a month-long QB competition, only to be greeted by a chorus of boos from the home fans.

Of course, no one ever imagined what has happened ever since. Although, an imagination isn't really necessary, because the results have been tangible (4-0 record; 7 TD, 2 INT; 97.6 QB rating).

"I think the way you judge a lot of people is the way they respond to adversity," Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt told Doug & Wolf on Arizona Sports 620. "I think Kevin over these last four games has shown what type of person he is as far as responding to a lot of criticism, a lot of negativity, and still being able to perform and make plays. I think what he did against the Dolphins further solidifies that."

In a way, that Dolphins game mirrors Kolb's career in Arizona. A slow start followed by a rally, only to be undercut by a catastrophic failure (INT in the end zone) and then a miraculous comeback to finish on top - so far.

We imagine that must've felt very gratifying for Kolb. Actually, we don't have to imagine that either, because Ryan Williams said Kolb shared as much.

"He was like, 'You wanna know how I felt after that first game when we won against Seattle? I felt good," Williams said. "He was like, 'Nobody second guessin' what you do, you came back from a career ending injury…let that go, wash it out, let's go play."

"He left the locker room and that plays on my mind every day because I know I'm not the only one who's ever been through this. And he's doin' a heck of a job now. So I tell Kevin before every game we play, 'You lead, we follow,' and that's what we do."

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    Sensei wrote...
    Wow. Two thumbs Up!
    Great article.It is nice to see a meaningful article every once a while. Thanks.
  • Abuse
    AZSPORTFAN wrote...
    Kolb
    I'm Worried....... I have always believed that Kolb was the best choice for the QB position. It takes time in a new system no-matter who you are. What I'm worried about is that Kolb won't have a real chance because of the O-line. If he gets hurt again the fans will turn on him like they did before saying he's fragile or injury prone. He took a beating against Miami with 8 sacks and unfortunately more is on the way.......
  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Kolb
    It would be a great story if he can continue his progression. While there are many detractors (myself included) I don't believe there is a Cards fan out there that wants Kolb to fail. Ultimately everyone wants to see the team win. He will write his own story, it would be great if it had a nice ending. Good Luck Kolb!
  • Abuse
    Kreedos wrote...
    Great article Calvisi
    Maybe your best yet. The insight provided here is wonderful. Heres the thing, if Kolb goes out and dominates tonight like he did against Philly, he is going to win a ton of fans over.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Dont hate the player hate the game
    I learned that the hard way. It took Kdub&Adub, AZSPORTSFAN, and REDRUM to gang up on me (trying to gang bang me) to realize that. Its a team sport. When Brady went down Matt Cassell led the Pats to 11-5. When Matt Schaub went down TJ Yates led Hou to the playoffs and a playoff victory. This situation is a little special because AZ isnt like NE or HOU. They havent found a offensive identity and are searching for a QB. Skelton got it done last year. Now Kolb is getting it done this year. I wouldnt change a thing. Let Kolb ball out bros. Hes playing like a student from Ball Hard University.
  • Abuse
    OpinionH8d wrote...
    I don't know what to make of Kolb or the team
    Against Miami he could have thrown the ball away several times rather than take sacks. It's like he gets tunnel vision and has no idea how much pressure he's under. He threw 2 picks against a supposedly bad pass defense. What will he do against a great pass defense if his running game isn't helping? On the D side, if Tannehill can light them up like that, is getting Dockett back enough to keep Bradford from doing the same?
  • Abuse
    CardzGoHard wrote...
    Tired Of Hearing About The Line
    Kolb Is All Premeditated All The Time. When He Does Have Time He Don't Read Progressions He Never Even Looked At Fitz On A 3RD Down That Ended A Promising Drive Where Fitzy Had And Burned A Rookie Never Even Looked At Him (In The End Zone). Well Beyond Respectable. I Thank Him For His 2 Crucial Drives Against Seattle And Miami Respecetively But His Inconsistantcy Is Killin Me. Read Your Darn Progressions. Brees On Sunday Night Is Going To Accomplish A Truly Special Feat With Most Consecutive Games With A TD Pass, Boy Does It Make Me Sick Thinking About It!
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    The Unspoken Point
    The fans that booed Kolb were wrong. Yeah I get the "we paid for the ticket" thing and the "it's America" thing, but they were flat out wrong. I hear all the time from the same fans that booed how they love the Cardinals, yet they can boo. I hope to God those same people don't have kids that they say they love and those kids go on to play sports. You gunna boo your kids too when they play bad? Too many Cardinal fans sound too much like Niner fans when talking about our team. Dwell on that for a while.
    Dale
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