ESPN insider says Cardinals lack confidence in Kolb

The Arizona Cardinals are hopeful that Kevin Kolb, in the lineup for an injured John Skelton, will step up and play well against the New England Patriots.

ESPN NFL insider John Clayton, though, isn’t confident that’s going to be what happens Sunday in Foxborough.

“It could get real ugly,” he told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Friday. “I don’t know if it will get ugly, but it’s just going to be disappointing.”

Clayton said Kolb leading the Cardinals on a game-winning drive against Seattle last week is probably not enough to make everyone believe he’s turned the corner and ready to be an effective NFL quarterback, especially since the last year or so has been a struggle for the former Eagle.

“If you can’t win over your team, and Kevin Kolb hasn’t won over his team, that’s a problem,” he said. “To a point where the only reason he’s starting right now is because of the injury.”

Clayton noted that Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt’s refusal to formally announce Kolb as his starter Sunday is another sign that there may not be a lot of confidence in the quarterback.

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