Paulie Calv-ary rides in to defend QB

Affirmation or aberration? That’s the question coming off the Hall of Fame Game.

And, yes, Paulie Preseason is posing another QB Question. Specifically, we’re referring to the performance of Kevin Kolb. As you might recall, his first pass attempt was intercepted and his last snap resulted in a game-ending injury. Yes, that Kevin Kolb.

Or, as a wise-acre fan tweeted me (@PaulCalvisi…#Ding) before I’d even left the sidelines in Canton: Kevin K(L)OLb. LOL instead of O-L in the middle of Kolb’s last name. Funny guy. Everybody is a comedian. Except, there’s just one problem here – no one is laughing.

Not when we’re trying to figure out whether Kevin Kolb’s performance against the Saints was the exception or serves as confirmation? Play or can’t play? Deal or No Deal? In other words, would the real Kevin Kolb stand up?

Better yet, would the Kolb haters please sit down. Don’t make Paulie Practice go all Allen Iverson and proclaim that we’re talking about the first quarter of the first game in a five-game preseason. Don’t be the skydiver who pulls that rip cord too early…at your own peril.

Paulie Patience realizes that we’re a nation suffering from chronic attention deficit disorder, but does anybody remember the Cards’ win against Dallas last season? Does anybody care that Kolb shook off the rust from his four-game absence and, in the second half, got in a rhythm and looked genuinely comfortable both in the pocket and in the offense?

Shouldn’t that serve as the best barometer of his skill set to date? In other words, ever since that fourth quarter and overtime against Dallas (7-11 passing, including the game-winning TD pass), what has transpired exactly?

Uh, OTAs. Mini-camps. Less than two weeks of training camp. And one-half of one quarter in the first preseason game. That’s what. Hence, until the sample size gets a little larger, our default setting still goes back to the second half of the win against the Cowboys.

And, yes, we can see the eyes rolling. Right about now, the dude with “K(L)OLb” caustically emblazoned (“Caustically? Forget it, he’s rolling…”) across the back of his #4 jersey is screaming – what has Kolb done for the Big Red lately? Well, if we’re existing in 2012, isn’t it only fair to cite that John Skelton was mostly operating against the Saints’ second-string defense?

Or perhaps we should state this in terms of a vice. Since most of America seemingly gambles on football, perhaps we should go Paulie Poker and offer the following comparison: when you are “pot committed” to the tune of $20 million, you don’t just fold your hand. Right? You’ve invested way too much not to hang around and see another card. Right? #Ding.

In fact, once upon a time, let’s not forget that the Cardinals were “pot committed” with Matt Leinart. Anybody remember what happened next? With a three-interception half against the Raiders in the third preseason game, Leinart did what? He showed his hand.

So, with school just starting again in AZ, the lesson learned? Don’t make the decision until the QB(s) make the decision for you. Because to fold now, would be akin to “fLOLd.”

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