NFL Trade Rumors: Kyle Orton a Better Fit Than Kevin Kolb for Arizona Cardinals

Just a couple of years ago, the Arizona Cardinals were an NFC powerhouse featuring an unstoppable offense. Has that changed, or what? 

The Cardinals have fallen from the top to the bottom, and are now in danger of losing their most talented player. If they fail make the right moves this offseason, they will lose him.

Larry Fitzgerald is a free agent in 2012. He has a chance to go down as one of the all-time great wide receivers in NFL history if he finds his way onto a contender. So unless the Cardinals find a quarterback that can win now, there’s no way he’ll re-sign. 

According to NBC, he is denying accusations that he’s talking with the Arizona front office to choose a new signal-caller, saying:

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“There’s not truth to that at all. I have no criteria. The two sides haven’t even sat down and talked. I have not talked to any coach on staff for six months. I’m like everybody else scrambling to make this season a success.

There are much more pressing needs for our team than me. I’m under contract. My situation will work itself out. I’m not worried about it; the team shouldn’t be, either. I want to be a Cardinal.”

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No matter how content Fitzgerald says he is, you know he’s not going to be hyped for 2011 with John Skelton under center. The all-world wideout is too nice of a guy to call out the team, but don’t expect any mercy if they fail to find him a respectable quarterback.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Kevin Kolb has been heavily linked to the Cardinals in rumors. Kolb isn’t the answer to Arizona’s effort to keep Fitzgerald, but another passer on the trade block is the Denver Broncos' Kyle Orton.

Yeah, Kolb has more potential. Do you think Fitzgerald cares the least bit about potential? 

If the Cardinals trade for Kolb and don’t improve, their star receiver is as good as gone. Not improving for Kolb involves throwing just as many interceptions as touchdowns, if not more, and recording a passer rating in the mid-70s.

That won’t win games, and that won’t win over Fitzgerald.

Kyle Orton, on the other hand, will without a doubt be able to win games right now. He threw for over 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns each of the past two years in Denver, with a combined passer rating over 86.

Orton is a vet, the Cardinals know what they're getting from him and that’ll be enough to keep Fitzgerald happy in the desert. 

They have no idea how Kolb will turn out, and if he fails to progress—and there has been no flashing neon sign in his game guaranteeing improvement—Arizona will be left with a bust QB and no talent around him, because Fitzgerald will be fielding offers from teams with a quarterback that isn't a 26-year-old project.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.