NFC West Gamble: Cardinals’ Kevin Kolb vs. Seahawks’ Tarvaris Jackson
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After much speculation on Kevin Kolb’s value, the Arizona Cardinals have determined he is worth Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round draft pick…and $63 million over five years, $20 million of which is guaranteed.
This move represents a huge gamble for head coach Ken Whisenhunt as he looks to find an answer at the quarterback position. There is much speculation on if the Cardinals gave up too much, both in compensation to the Philadelphia Eagles and in Kolb’s contract, to acquire his services.
Some critics and fans are applauding the decision, and the Cardinals did need to make a move at the QB position. Larry Fitzgerald will be a free agent at the end of the 2011 season, and his contract does not allow the Cardinals to place the franchise tag on him. Their only hope of keeping their star player was to acquire a QB Fitzgerald wants to play with.
If the trade for Kolb is the difference in keeping Fitzgerald, then it is hard to take issue with the decision. He is worth Rodgers-Cromartie and a slew of second-round picks. However, there is no guarantee that Fitzgerald will return to the Cardinals, nor that Kolb will be the difference to the Wide Receiver that says he wants to be a Cardinal.
Kolb actually has a lot of similarities to another QB making news at the start of the 2011 season…at least on paper. Tarvaris Jackson was a second-round draft pick in 2006,