ARIZONA CARDINALS

It’s ‘night and day’ for John Skelton

Nov 4, 2011, 9:59 PM | Updated: Nov 5, 2011, 12:57 am

As the Cardinals prepare to welcome the 1-6 Rams to
Glendale, it’s beginning to become clear who the starting
quarterback will be: John Skelton.

Starting QB Kevin Kolb suffered a turf toe injury in the
loss to the Ravens and is listed as doubtful for Sunday
after not practicing all week.

Even though no official announcement has been made, many
expect it will be Skelton under center.

If it is, this will the second-year player’s 5th NFL
start.

The quarterback was 2-2 as the starter last season with
617 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.

For Skelton, the team’s fifth round pick in 2010, starting
in Sunday’s game will be completely different than his
experiences last season.

“It’s night and day,” Skelton said. “Last year, starting
at the end of the year, it was a watered down gameplan we
went in with a lot of stuff that was real vanilla and
compared to this year were going in with a gameplan that
gives us the best shot at winning and I’m completely
comfortable with everything.”

As a result of being more comfortable with the offense,
the 23-year-old doesn’t have to spend more time thinking
about the plays in the huddle.

“Last December it was hear the play, call the play, think
about the play, go out and execute the play,” Skelton
said. “Now it’s hear the play, call it and lets go out and
run it. Its just reading and reacting now.”

Even head coach Ken Whisenhunt is comfortable with Skelton
starting, if he has to.

“He’s much more comfortable than where he was last year,”
Whisenhunt said. “He’s another one that you wish you had
some time with in the offseason and he was having a good
training camp until he got the high ankle.”

Arizona Cardinals

Max Melton runs the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals rookies on cusp of writing new chapter in their football journeys

While the NFL Draft marked the end of one journey, it along with rookie minicamp kicking off Friday signaled the beginning of another.

9 hours ago

Xavier Thomas celebrates midgame...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals sign Xavier Thomas, 3 other rookies to 4-year contracts

The Arizona Cardinals signed four rookies from their 2024 NFL Draft class to four-year contracts on Thursday.

11 hours ago

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. announces on his social media he will be wearing...

Bailey Leasure

Marvin Harrison Jr. announces his Cardinals jersey number

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. announces on his social media he will be wearing No. 18 for the team.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the game against the Seattle Se...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals schedule to release on May 15, per report

The Arizona Cardinals already know what teams they will be playing and where, just not when. That date is soon approaching, per a report.

2 days ago

Trey Benson celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Who takes over at RB2 behind James Conner?

Two names who could make a case to lock down the Cardinals' RB2 role include rookie Trey Benson and veteran Michael Carter.

2 days ago

Markus Bailey celebrates after a play...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals sign ex-Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to 1-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

3 days ago

It’s ‘night and day’ for John Skelton