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DRC.jpg
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) celebrates with teammate Greg Toler (28) after returning an interception for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-20.

That the Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback is not news.

That the Arizona Cardinals are interested in Philadelphia's Kevin Kolb is not news.

That the Arizona Cardinals may trade Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in exchange for Kevin Kolb? Now that's news.

It's also a bad idea.

Quarterback is easily the most important position on the football field. The Cardinals, of course, should do everything they can to not only improve from the train wreck that was the position last year, but position themselves for long-term success in the process. Is Kolb the guy, for now and the future? Who knows.

What we do know, however, is that the Cardinals have what could be one of the best defensive secondaries in the NFL, featuring DRC, rookie Patrick Peterson, Greg Toler, Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson.

Think that won't be nice to have in a division that features Sam Bradford? How about the rest of the league? Then again, we don't yet know how good Patrick Peterson will be. There's a chance he's not as good a corner as anyone thinks or hopes. If that's the case the Cardinals will wish they had a guy like Rodgers-Cromartie around.

Don't let last season fool you, the NFL is still as pass-happy as it ever was. That the Cardinals couldn't stop the pass was just as much of a problem as their inability to complete one, and in no world does trading their most proven corner benefit the team's defense.

Granted, it is not as if DRC had a banner year. By pretty much everyone's standards he had a rough 2010, and all it took was one look at him to see things were not right. A Pro Bowler in 2009, up until last season - when everything went wrong for the Cards - the 25-year-old was considered to be one of the team's best up-and-coming players, someone who could lock down one side of the field for years to come.

Does one down season negate the good ones that preceded it? Does a rough season mean the guy is not as talented as previously thought? Or, perhaps, his immaturity (shocker for someone so young, I know) led to him struggling with the mental aspect of the game while his team was barely competitive most games. Was his play an issue last season? Absolutely, but he wasn't the reason the defense struggled, at least, not the only one.

The fact is DRC is a playmaker, something every defense needs. Is he Champ Bailey or Charles Woodson? No, he's not that physical. But from all accounts he has been working hard to bulk up, hoping to become a better tackler. Just getting bigger won't make Rodgers-Cromartie a better tackler, sure, but he seems to be putting in the work to improve, and that can only be taken as a good sign.

But people seem ready to throw what could be a bright future away for an unproven QB.

The Cardinals most certainly need an upgrade at the position, but must avoid getting desperate to the point where any QB not named Anderson looks like the of second coming of Tom Brady. Let's not forget that defense wins championships...

Is Kolb an upgrade over Derek Anderson? Sure, but most of the league's QBs are. Is he a guy that can lead the team back to the playoffs and, hopefully, the Super Bowl? That is the million dollar question, but one that is not worth betting a young, Pro Bowl cornerback on.

8 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    yep
    June 23, 2011 8:04 pm
    I agree.
    Dale
  • Abuse
    BrewCrewAZ wrote...
    Go for it
    June 24, 2011 9:34 am
    DRC is all flash and little substance. The mental makeup of DRC is what is troubling. The guy doesn't want to tackle. Do we really know if he can? No, because he purposely takes himself out of contact. He's not Deion Sanders. Here's a perfect example of a guy who doesn't always want to put the work in. Your physical abilities can only carry you so far.
  • Abuse
    Brian's Mojito wrote...
    Absolutely Agree
    June 24, 2011 12:20 pm
    Kevin Kolb's career numbers: 11 TDs, 14 INTs, 73.2 QB rating Could he end up being a good quarterback? Sure. Could he end up being an average quarterback? Sure. Could he be out of the league in a few years. Sure. The quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. It is the most important position in professional sports. However, Kolb is an uncertainty. I don't like giving away a first round pro bowl cornerback for uncertainty. It's just not my thing.
  • Abuse
    theuglytruth wrote...
    Don't sell short
    June 24, 2011 2:20 pm
    If the Eagles are serious about a sb run like they claim, they'd send Kolb, a pair of 1st round picks and a 2nd for DRC. The Falcons set the market for teams making a serious run for the SB, so if Philly is done being cute, they should bring the bank to get DRC. AZ has other options, do the Eagles really want to spend $20M a year for Nnamdi when they can spend that cap $$ on making the run this year? They think they are close, the Cards are far from close to a sb run.
  • Abuse
    Charlie Waffles wrote...
    Would be a mistake.
    June 24, 2011 5:32 pm
    DRC has his issues on the field, but he has tons of potential and now that he may be able to take the #2 receiver from time to time we might see him come out of his shell. Supposedly adding some muscle this year to help with his tackling. People, he is still a young player who is not yet in his prime. Be a little more patient. I would rather keep DRC and give up a second round pick for Kyle Orton than give our NFC division foe a talented db. There is a reason Philly wants him and it is not because he sucks.
  • Abuse
    mcbeaner22 wrote...
    Bulking up doesn't equate tackling.
    June 24, 2011 10:31 pm
    DRC does not have the mind set to go into the ball carrier to make a tackle. He does the old chip tackles that Deion Sanders would do. Can cover but doesn't like the physical aspect of the game. So extra muscle doesn't change the mind.Smaller & lighter players have that mindset to hit but for 3 years DRC has never shown that. it's not something that really can change at this stage of his career. It's something that should have change a while back...
  • Abuse
    David Parra wrote...
    DRC!
    June 25, 2011 10:33 am
    DRC is an AZ Cardinal, and will be an AZ Cardinal going foward. Letting go DRC when Patrick Petersen has yet to put on pads on the professional level would be a desperate move, and would be a sign of weakness. Kyle Orton for a 2nd, or 3rd round draft pick is sounding pretty good right about now. 11TD's 14INT's QB rating of 73.something for Kevin Kolb Vs. 71TD's 48INT's and 79.6 QB rating for Kyle Orton.Do the math 12,774 career passing yards, and this on Sub-par Chicago Bear, and Denver Broncos teams.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    yup. defense wins championships.
    June 26, 2011 1:38 pm
    The Steelers had a better defense than their offense. Green bay had a better offense than their defense. Overall it was a close ball game. Pittsburgh's D kept them in the game. It helps to have a great QB like Rodgers. A good QB can suffice like Roethlisberger. AZ may now have the best secondary in football. Do you really think AZ will trade DRC for Kolb? Who is unproven in everyway and he has potential. That's what PHI is using as bait! Bulge can suffice until we get a good or great QB. Someone that is a little more proven than Kolb.
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