Why the Kevin Kolb Experiment Is Backfiring for Arizona Cardinals

If you'd told the Arizona Cardinals that they could have waited, lost 14 or 15 games, and then been able to draft the greatest quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning (in most eyes), they still might have signed Kevin Kolb.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt likely didn't have another year to burn waiting on that perfect passer to fall into his lap. What he did have was a star receiver threatening to jump ship if the quarterback situation wasn't addressed and a Philadelphia Eagles team willing to part with Kolb for a second-rounder and an overrated corner.

Seems like a simple decision.

And for Arizona, it was. Kolb's signing led to Larry Fitzgerald's signing, and Fitz is now under contract through the 2018 season. The offense became somewhat two-headed again with defenses backing off and finally allowing Beanie Wells some running room, wary of the potential of the Kolb-Fitzgerald connection. And the Cardinals looked like a real contender in the watered-down NFC West after an opening week win over the Carolina Panthers.

Then the wheels fell off.

Arizona has now lost six straight, and Kolb has thrown a modest eight touchdown passes against a staggering eight interceptions. He's completed less than 53 percent of his passes in each of his past three games, and he still hasn't been able to find Fitzgerald in the end zone.

But with everyone rich and happy in the desert, why isn't this team winning more games?

That's a pretty simple call, too. This offensive line is awful. The defense isn't much better. Quarterbacks don't do a lot of blocking or tackling, and the things they do, like master the footwork involved in their new offense or perfecting their timing with their new receivers, usually undergo refinement during the offseason. Kolb, like the rest of the NFL, didn't get one in 2011.

Still, even if Kolb had spent two full offseasons in Arizona, it's hard to imagine he would have enjoyed much more success this early in his Cardinals career. His offensive line ranks 29th in the league after already allowing 24 sacks.

Usually, teams with that much trouble protecting their passer turn to their ground game for support, but Arizona doesn't have that luxury behind a rushing attack that averages less than 100 yards per game, good enough for 26th.

And, if Kolb somehow managed to churn 25 points per game out of this offense, a mark that would put them in the top 10 in the NFL, they'd still struggle to win games considering their defense is currently giving up 26-plus points each week.

Kolb not a bad quarterback, and the weapons he's been given at the skill positions are enviable. But with no offensive line to keep him upright or rhythmic and no defense to keep the points he can score relevant, he's not going to find much success in the desert. 

And if Arizona does end up with the No. 1 pick in 2012, he may not have much time to find it.