2011 NFL Draft Results: Arizona Cardinals Pass on Quarterback for Ryan Williams

I wrote yesterday on how the Cardinals needed to address their quarterback position if they wanted to hold on to Larry Fitzgerald after the 2011 season.

With Arizona's second pick of this year's draft, it looks like they're not concerned in the slightest.

The question is this: are they not concerned about finding a quarterback, or are they not concerned about losing Larry Fitzgerald?

After a two-year stint in the playoffs which included a Super Bowl appearance in the 2008 season, the Cardinals finished last place in the NFL's weakest division, the NFC West. Arizona hemorrhaged quality players following the 2009 season, most notably Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle in free agency and Anquan Boldin via trade.

The biggest hit to the Cardinals, though, was the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner. Following a storybook career in St. Louis and lackluster year with the Giants, Warner resurrected his career and led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl in team history.

After Warner's retirement, however, Arizona replaced him first with first round bust Matt Leinart. Just before the start of the season, Leinart was released in favor of journeyman Derek Anderson, and then rookies Max Hall and John Skelton. The resulting 4-12 record in 2010 earned Arizona the fifth overall pick in this year's draft.

Rather than addressing the gaping hole at quarterback with a top prospect like Blaine Gabbert. Arizona chose to select a cornerback in Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals were then beat to the punch in the second round as the Bengals selected Andy Dalton and the 49ers traded up to choose Colin Kaepernick.

With boom or bust prospect Ryan Mallett still available, Arizona instead selected Virginia Tech's running back Ryan Williams. A highly talented player, Williams is the latest in an attempt to bring a solid running game to Arizona. Williams comes with some injury concerns, though, an is far from a sure thing.

The question remains: who will take snaps for Arizona in 2012, and will they be good enough to keep Fitzgerald in the desert?