Quarterback situation in Arizona

The most glaring need for the Arizona Cardinals at present is the lack of a quality quarterback under centre. The Cardinals started three different players at quarterback last season, not including 2006 10^th overall pick Matt Leinart who was released during the preseason! As a Cardinals fan the instability at QB last season was painful to watch at times.

Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb has been suggested by many as the best fit at QB for the Cardinals; now that he has lost his starting job to Michael Vick. I think Kolb would be a good fit under centre in Arizona but obtaining him in a trade could prove to be costly. Speculations have been made that a trade for Kolb would require a second round pick or perhaps more. Other rumours are in circulations that Pro Bowl Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may be involved in any potential trade.

Fifth round pick John Skelton would seem to be the most promising QB on the Cardinals roster at present. Skelton started four games for the Cardinals last season with a win ratio of 0.500. In his first game as starter he steered the Cardinals to a 43-13 victory over the Denver Broncos to break a seven game losing streak. Also in his first game as starter, Skelton proved he can keep a calm head under pressure; by staying cool even after his first four passes fell incomplete; three of which had been dropped. However, though I think he may have potential for the future I don’t think Skelton is the immediate answer for the Cardinals at the QB position.

It has also been suggested that Carson Palmer could be a possibility for the Cardinals. However, it has to be wondered that after his threats to retire does he still have the love of the game he once had. Furthermore I don’t think Mike Brown will give in to his desire to be traded as I discussed in a previous post; http://nflfansuk.blogspot.com/2011/06/will-carson-palmer-return-to-bengals.html

One way or another, the Cardinals need somebody to stabilise their offense and to get Larry Fitzgerald the ball. I just hope we are not in for another season like in 2010.

Could Farve come back?

Yesterday at www.nfl.com Gil Brandt voiced his opinion that Brett Farve could possibly make a comeback in 2011, for what would be his twenty first season in the NFL. Brandt has based this opinion on the fact that Farve has enquired about helping rookie Panthers quarterback Cam Newton workout whilst the lockout is in place. Brandt claims that Farve would not be doing this if he wasn’t giving some consideration to returning to the NFL.

His opinion is backed up by the uncertainty which many teams have at the quarterback position at the moment; Arizona and Seattle to give but a couple of examples. This uncertainty is compounded by the ongoing labour dispute which has so far prevented any kind of free agency.

However, I believe that the odds are too strongly stacked against Farve making yet another return. Farve’s 2010 stats were far from his most impressive, he threw for 2500 yards with 11 TDs, 19 interceptions and a QB rating of 69.9. Furthermore I think that at almost 42 Farve simply wouldn’t be able to take another season of physical punishment like he did in 2010 and so, should stay firmly in retirement.

Go to www.nfl.com/videos to check out the interview with Gil Brandt. 

Is Brady deserving of the No1 spot?

The New England Patriot’s Tom Brady has been revealed as the number one player in the Top 100 as voted for by the players. The question is; does he deserve to hold the number one spot? A quick glance at the figures he chalked up in 2010 shows that he has added another outstanding season to an already hugely impressive career.

·        W-L                            14-2

·        Comp Pct                  65.9

·        Passing Yds               3,900

·        TD-Int                        36-4 (That’s a ratio of 9!)

·        Passer Rating           111.0

As if all that wasn’t enough he threw an incredible 339 straight passes without throwing a pick and was named league MVP for 2010. Furthermore Brady seems to be capable of producing this standard of play no matter what the weather conditions are. Brady’s career stats are no less impressive with three Super Bowl rings, two NFL MVPs and six pro Bowls to his name.  

I believe that the only other possible contender for the number one spot is Payton Manning, who was voted in at number two. The Indianapolis Colts Quarterback threw for an impressive 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns this season finishing with a win-loss record of 10-6. However, he balanced out those 33 TDs with 17 interceptions in contrast to Brady’s mere 4 picks. Ultimately I think it was that clinical precision from Brady which helped see the Patriots produce four more wins than the Colts thus earning him the right to be crowned the best player of 2011.

Chad Riding Shotgun

Chad Ochocinco has had a more eventful lockout than most of the other players in the NFL. Firstly he tried out for major league soccer team, Sporting Kansas City followed up by a 1.5 second bull ride down in Duluth Ga. In Chad’s latest outing he has been riding shotgun with U.S stock car racer Jeff Burton.

Although Burton didn’t let loose completely he and Chad still reached speeds in excess of 150mph. As he did after his bull riding in Duluth; Chad also credited the NASCAR racers saying “How the hell they are able to do that with 30 other drivers on the track is beyond me”.

All these antics will likely put further strain on the relationship between Chad and Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. It is strain that Chad could probably do without now that there is further competition for him at the wide receiver position, after the Bengals drafted A.J. green fourth overall in the 2011 draft. Furthermore Marvin Lewis probably has enough problems; not knowing if Carson Palmer will be back to start under centre for him. http://nflfansuk.blogspot.com/2011/06/will-carson-palmer-return-to-bengals.html

As the lockout draws on; this leaves us wondering: What will Chad get up to next? There has been talk of him heading off to Florida to catch alligators and with Chad I don’t think you can rule anything out!