Kevin Kolb Trade Rumors: Who Wins in a Swap for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie?

Yay!!!

We are going to have an NFL season!

Okay, now that I have that out, we are going to have an exciting few jam-packed weeks of trading and free-agent signings.

And in the desert, the big topic is who the Arizona Cardinals will get at QB.

Many speculate it will be Kevin Kolb.

Mike Jurecki of XTRA910 radio also seems to think that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is on the trading block to get him.

I'm not a huge fan of the deal, but what if it does happen?

Who gets the better of the deal: Arizona or Philadelphia?

Which Team Has the Better Starting Lineup?

As far as making the roster better, I have to give this to Philadelphia.

Sure, Arizona gets a better starting QB, but we don't know for sure what Kolb can do.

Meanwhile, Philly badly needs help at cornerback, and it gets that in the Pro Bowl-caliber DRC.

Not to mention it is giving up its backup for a starter, while Arizona's secondary gets worse.

Edge: Philadelphia

Which Team Saves Money?

If this deal is straight up, as is rumored, this is an easy call.

DRC may require a hefty price for a corner, but Arizona is going to give a multi-million-dollar deal to Kolb.

Edge: Philadelphia

Which Organization Gets the Better "Deal"?

This is even more highly subjective than the previous two factors, and even though I'm Arizona's FC, I have to go with Philadelphia.

Again, to me, you're trading a backup (whose numbers aren't fantastic) for a cornerback who would start for any team in the NFL, and has made a Pro Bowl already in his first three years in the league.

Philadelphia is ripping Arizona off in my opinion.

Edge: Philadelphia

Which Player Has the Better Upside?

I'm actually not going to bash Arizona the entire time for this.

This move would be a risk, but in the NFL, there are only so many elite QBs nowadays.

And in an offense that really needs a solid QB to function, Arizona is in desperate need.

I believe that, although Kolb might be a little overrated based on stats, he does have the chance to become really good in the right system.

Granted, Philadelphia was a good system, but it's difficult when you feel pressured to follow Donovan McNabb, and then get injured a few games into the season.

In Arizona, Kolb would be the man from day one.

We already know what DRC is capable of, and I don't think he can get a ton better.

Kolb? For all we know he could be the next Matt Schaub. Or the next Scott Mitchell.

Still, I have to give this one to Arizona, who will get a serious upgrade at arguably the biggest position in the league.

Edge: Arizona

Which Team Will Win More Games as a Result?

Again, I'm going to have to give this one to Arizona.

Philadelphia adds a solid player, and maybe it wins one more game.

With Kolb, Arizona could easily win two or three more games—maybe four or five.

In the weakest division in the NFL (and the NFL's easiest schedule to boot), Arizona's risk could yield a high reward, resulting in a return to the playoffs.

Philadelphia made the playoffs last year, and I expect the same this year, although it'll get a great piece on defense.

But the right QB? That can turn around a franchise. Just ask teams like Indianapolis, Atlanta and New England.

Edge: Arizona

Overall

Philadelphia still wins on this deal.

I realize that Arizona may not want to give up draft picks.

And sure, it could fill DRC's hole with the talented Patrick Peterson and maybe a young guy like A.J. Jefferson or Greg Toler. Heck, the Cardinals could look to the free-agent market there as well.

But with DRC in the fold, Arizona's secondary is set to be special. That would be a tremendous help to a terrible defense from last year.

Not to mention the fact that we still aren't sure what Kolb can do. It's a huge risk/reward trade.

Me? I like playing it safe, and keeping the known Pro Bowler in DRC if you're Arizona.

Meanwhile, all the Eagles are doing is giving up their backup QB.

Overall Edge: Philadelphia