Raiders vs. Cardinals: Starters Who Will Lose Starting Gig After Preseason Clash

The Arizona Cardinals may not be satisfied with either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton as their starting quarterback. However, barring a trade, that is their best option at this point in the offseason. Something has to be done soon if the team hopes to compete in 2012.

Let’s take a look at some of the key players in danger of losing their starting position with a poor/non-performance in Friday night’s preseason matchup.

Oakland Raiders: Brandon Myers, TE

The Raiders offense is pretty set at offensive line, quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions. The tight end spot, though, has been much more contentious during this offseason. Since Zach Miller’s injury and departure, there have been nothing but questions there.

Brandon Myers was the early favorite, but injuries have sidelined him during this competition. David Ausberry and Richard Gordon have an opportunity to usurp his tenuous lock on the position in this Friday night contest.

Gordon, a block-first tight end, filled in nicely for Myers on Monday night against Dallas and will likely receive the first-team repetitions if Myers cannot go tonight. He was targeted once and hauled it in for an eight-yard reception.

Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb, QB

Kolb has been inconsistent at best in his time in Arizona. Even when healthy, the quarterback has failed to live up to expectations after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles via trade.

Another poor performance will likely signal the beginning of the John Skelton era in the desert. To this point, Kolb has played poorly in the preseason. He’s currently completed just two passes in nine attempts for 25 yards and thrown one interception.

Skelton hasn’t been perfect, either, but is the current front-runner to win the job, according to a report from ESPN.com's Adam Schefter.

Overall, Skelton’s strong arm and ability to move the ball downfield has proven to be the edge for the third-year QB from Fordham.

Arizona Cardinals: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB

When healthy, Beanie Wells has proven to be a force in the Arizona Cardinals backfield. However, "when healthy" has turned into somewhat of a running joke about Wells in NFL circles.

With Wells pegged to miss another preseason game, Ryan Williams is probable to play and will likely start Friday night against the Raiders. He may have the opportunity to make his case for the starting job in Arizona. Williams has also been held out due to injuries to this point and missed all of 2011 with a ruptured patellar tendon.

A dismal pass offense necessitates a healthy running game, one that can succeed even when the defense knows it’s coming. An ideal scenario would end in Beanie Wells staying healthy and Williams and LaRod Stephens-Howling complementing him.

However, a strong performance by Williams could propel him to the starting spot over Wells if he cannot stay on the field.

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