The first time John Skelton saw action in a regular season
NFL game was at University of Phoenix Stadium against the
St. Louis Rams.

A fifth-round pick out of Fordham, the rookie entered the
game when both Derek Anderson and Max Hall went down with
injuries.

Skelton completed three of six passes for 45 yards in
Arizona’s 19-6 loss, but the experience he gained that day
— and the four starts that followed — will help him if
he gets the call Sunday for an injured Kevin Kolb, at
home, against the Rams.

“Anytime you get experience it’s invaluable,” Skelton
said. “So those four games I got to play last year really
helped towards this year.”

Skelton said his goal is to make the most of any
opportunity he’s given, which he sort of did last season.
Skelton led the team to two wins in four starts, though
completed just 47.6 percent of his passes and threw just
two touchdowns.

No longer a rookie, the QB is more confident this time
around.

“I fit in now,” he said. “Maybe last year, early in the
year, training camp and stuff, I felt out of place, but
now I know I can make all the throws, I’ve seen a lot of
defenses and I’ll be prepared for what they bring.”

And while the team is comfortable with Skelton,
a big game Sunday would not mean he should be
permanently elevated to the starter’s role.

“[Kevin’s] the starting quarterback, I’m just going to
come in, do my backup-role job,” he said. “I am going to
prepare like I’m the starter but I do that every week
anyways.”

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