How The Breach in the CBA Talks May Benefit the Cardinals

[Mitch]

With all the recent talk about the Eagles wanting to trade QB Kevin Kolb to the highest bidder...there's really no telling who the highest bidder would be because we do not know next year's draft order yet.

Talk of trading this year's picks for Kolb is now totally moot...and it appears it will remain moot, seeing as it does not look possible at this point that an agreement will be made prior to the draft.

OK---so what does this mean for the Cardinals?

There's some reasonable speculation that two of the teams very interested in trading for Kolb are the 49ers and Seahawks.

The Vikings, Titans and Dolphins might also be interested, or so it would seem. And one shouldn't count out the Raiders either.

However, if the bidding for Kolb gets too ridiculous and either the 49ers or the Seahawks win the bidding---and one of them has to incur the costs of giving up high draft picks and signing Kolb to a lucrative extension---

The Cardinals could then make a concerted move to sign Alex Smith or Matt Hasselbeck (whomever is the one edged out of town by Kolb).

Both Smith and Hasselbeck are free agents who have played in the division with less talent for the passing game than what the Cardinals will offer them.

While the Cardinals weren't patient last year by waiting for Marc Bulger to be released...being patient this year may be the absolute best thing they could do...as in let another division rival overpay for Kolb and then sign a free agent (no loss of high draft picks) who actually might be a better option (and less expensive) than Kolb, especially since both Smith and Hasselbeck have significantly more starting experience than Kolb...and, as I said, they know the division!

Even better news where this is concerned is how being patient with the veteran QB options can affect this upcoming draft. The Cardinals already have three young QBs on the roster that they like and need to develop in Skelton, Bartel and Hall...so now...the Cardinals can go ahead and do what both Ray Horton and Kerry Rhodes have been imploring them to do: add the "2-3 missing pieces" that will help make the defense one of the best defenses in the NFL.

This is the route I hope the Cardinals take. I know I had them taking Cam Newton at #5 and i still think that's possible (but this wasn't my choice---it was what I think Whiz might do)---but even then when i had Whiz taking Newton---this had me worrying as whether they could assure themselves of drafting Jabaal Sheard at #38---which, as some of you astutely pointed out---may be very questionable as Sheard is now being mentioned as a late first rounder.

Two years ago the Cardinals---needing a pass rusher more than anything else---took an offensive player in round one (Beanie Wells) and watched as all the other best pass rushing prospects were being snatched up---which caused them to reach for a pass rusher in Round 2 (Cody Brown).

It may be wise to avoid doing this again---not this year with the superb talent pool of elite first round pass rushers. The level drops off quickly after Sheard.

Take the pass rusher first---then see where your board is at #38---but take care of that most essential "missing piece" first.

Devote this draft to the defense early and to the TE and OL positions later on. Assuming the Cardinals wind up with 8 picks: use the first 4 on defense and the last four on offense.

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Good positive outlook but we want to beat San Fran and Seattle not pick up their debree. I definitley agree with you about the defense though, i think we can all agree that with a couple pieces and good coaching the Cards can have a top D.

 

[DoTheDew]

Good thinking, Mitch. Hasselbeck, if we can keep him healthy, would certainly put us back in contention for the NFCW. Alex Smith at the very least is an upgrade over DA and Hall and likely next years Skelton.

 

[Duckjake]

Good positive outlook but we want to beat San Fran and Seattle not pick up their debree. I definitley agree with you about the defense though, i think we can all agree that with a couple pieces and good coaching the Cards can have a top D.

Hey Mulli you asleep here? Or just not stalking Nash's posts?

 

[Cardiac]

Your always thinking Mitch!

Very good thoughts and it will be fun to see how this all plays out. I find myself thinking we should go QB then D most of the rest of the way. Then I think we shouldn't stray too far from BPA. Levi Brown and Antrel Rolle come to mind and then your example of Beanie gets me thinking that need has to be addressed. While Beanie was a need the OLBer was a far bigger need and the Cody Brown pick felt like a desperation pick.

What I do like about the Cards drafting lately is they are moving around in the draft to address need and talent.

 

[lobo]

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.[/quote]


Mitch, what do you feel is a fair price to get Kolb? I happen to be a big supporter of that move and if I were writing the checks I pay the price, but just curious to hear if you were GM what you would go for?? Other fellow fans can of course add their points of view,

 

[BigRedRage]

kolb is out of our price range. My list would go Palmer, smith, hasselback, bulger.

 

[Duckjake]

kolb is out of our price range. My list would go Palmer, smith, hasselback, bulger.

I'm with you on Palmer.

60%+ completion rate and more TDs than INTs every season he has played all 16 games. Far better than Bulger who I am afraid would be DeWreck Anderson ver. 2

 

[THESMEL]

I don't see that much overall talent seperation in the top qB draft prospects this year. with the exception of Newtons elite athletics, but even his high skillset grades, He is not that great averaging the overall qB skillsets.

I would think that Skelton with last years experience would match or beat out any of these prospects for the Cards starting QB job come opening day 2011. He aint no Matt Leinart but He is equal or better than this bunch overall.

Kolb is merely set to find out what he can do as a starter in the NFL, as a backup He had 2 great games. He got hurt and threw up some squids as a starter so far. Yea Vick would beat out most, but still (duck) I still think Matt Leinart is better than Kolb. Kolb gets rattled under pressure.

So my hope is Josh Mcnown is signed to compete with Skelton, I woulde take Mcnabb in a heartbeat But Whiz is allergic to the run game. Mcnab with a run game was pro bowl 5 NFCC game type QB, without ( only team running less than us las year) he was below average. yea yea they all are but Whiz fpassed down the yellow brick road.

Mcnabb, Josh Mcnown, Skelton would be fine by me, If a rookie can beat them out great,

 

[john h]

With all the recent talk about the Eagles wanting to trade QB Kevin Kolb to the highest bidder...there's really no telling who the highest bidder would be because we do not know next year's draft order yet.

Talk of trading this year's picks for Kolb is now totally moot...and it appears it will remain moot, seeing as it does not look possible at this point that an agreement will be made prior to the draft.

OK---so what does this mean for the Cardinals?

There's some reasonable speculation that two of the teams very interested in trading for Kolb are the 49ers and Seahawks.

The Vikings, Titans and Dolphins might also be interested, or so it would seem. And one shouldn't count out the Raiders either.

However, if the bidding for Kolb gets too ridiculous and either the 49ers or the Seahawks win the bidding---and one of them has to incur the costs of giving up high draft picks and signing Kolb to a lucrative extension---

The Cardinals could then make a concerted move to sign Alex Smith or Matt Hasselbeck (whomever is the one edged out of town by Kolb).

Both Smith and Hasselbeck are free agents who have played in the division with less talent for the passing game than what the Cardinals will offer them.

While the Cardinals weren't patient last year by waiting for Marc Bulger to be released...being patient this year may be the absolute best thing they could do...as in let another division rival overpay for Kolb and then sign a free agent (no loss of high draft picks) who actually might be a better option (and less expensive) than Kolb, especially since both Smith and Hasselbeck have significantly more starting experience than Kolb...and, as I said, they know the division!

Even better news where this is concerned is how being patient with the veteran QB options can affect this upcoming draft. The Cardinals already have three young QBs on the roster that they like and need to develop in Skelton, Bartel and Hall...so now...the Cardinals can go ahead and do what both Ray Horton and Kerry Rhodes have been imploring them to do: add the "2-3 missing pieces" that will help make the defense one of the best defenses in the NFL.

This is the route I hope the Cardinals take. I know I had them taking Cam Newton at #5 and i still think that's possible (but this wasn't my choice---it was what I think Whiz might do)---but even then when i had Whiz taking Newton---this had me worrying as whether they could assure themselves of drafting Jabaal Sheard at #38---which, as some of you astutely pointed out---may be very questionable as Sheard is now being mentioned as a late first rounder.

Two years ago the Cardinals---needing a pass rusher more than anything else---took an offensive player in round one (Beanie Wells) and watched as all the other best pass rushing prospects were being snatched up---which caused them to reach for a pass rusher in Round 2 (Cody Brown).

It may be wise to avoid doing this again---not this year with the superb talent pool of elite first round pass rushers. The level drops off quickly after Sheard.

Take the pass rusher first---then see where your board is at #38---but take care of that most essential "missing piece" first.

Devote this draft to the defense early and to the TE and OL positions later on. Assuming the Cardinals wind up with 8 picks: use the first 4 on defense and the last four on offense.

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.

My hope would be Hasselbeck. He should have a couple of good years left in him and as you say he would be throwing to Fitz and Breaston and knows our division. He probably has the Seattle playbook stored in his head.

 

[Zeno]

I'm with you on Palmer.

60%+ completion rate and more TDs than INTs every season he has played all 16 games. Far better than Bulger who I am afraid would be DeWreck Anderson ver. 2

Glad I am not the only one.

 

[Mitch]

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.

Mitch, what do you feel is a fair price to get Kolb? I happen to be a big supporter of that move and if I were writing the checks I pay the price, but just curious to hear if you were GM what you would go for?? Other fellow fans can of course add their points of view,[/quote]

First of all, lobes, I think Alex Smith is every bit the QB talent that Kevin Kolb is. Plus, Smith has what Kolb does not have (which makes Kolb such a gamble): starting experience. Moreover, Smith knows the division, so he is ahead of the curve with regard to the most important factor.

The Cardinals went from forst to worst because they went from 4-2 in the NFC West to 1-5.

While it was irksome to hear Smith telling the FOX crew prior to the Week 17 game versus the Cardinals that "all you have to do is jump on top of the Cardinals and they will fold," hey, there's real credence to what Smith was saying...and by virtue of the fact that the 49ers have swept the Cardinals two years in a row...and the fact that Smith looked like a prophet when after saying what he did about the Cardinals, the Cardinals went out in that last game and proved him true...even versus an interim head coach on the sidelines.

It would appear that Smith and the 49ers understand exactly what it takes to beat the Cardinals---even when the Cardinals had Kurt Warner at QB---thus, Smith's input as to what the gameplans were would be invaluable.

As you can tell, I want Smith.

I think his best years are ahead of him. I also think he played under extreme duress in SF---under a HC who was brutal on him---with some teammates on offense who are headcases---and with a revolving door on offensive coordinators. I've seen Smith play gritty...and I like his over-the-top throwing motion. Plus, he's a good athlete who has gotten stronger in the pocket.

And what's best about Smith---signing him will require not having to surrender draft picks---nor will it require the exhorbitant "blind faith" type of salary that Kolb is going to make when someone trades a first rounder for him.

The other thing is...as it pertains to caveat emptor...as in buyer beware...Andy Reid---in an interview with Sal Pal yesterday, was touting Kevin Kolb as a "championship caliber QB."

Oh, really?

Then---when your #1 option Mike Vick is injury prone and some still question whether a scrambler can lead a team to a championship---why would a smart coach like Andy Reid trade a "championship caliber" QB who is only going to cost the team $1.4M this season AND---if he steps in for Vick and leads the Eagles to the NFC Championship---he can slap the f-tag on him while they try to negotiate a new deal going forward----so, in other words, there's no real imminent threat of losing him next year if indeed he proves to be what Reid says he is.

 

[Duckjake]

Sad that our team packed it in last year. So much for our great coaching staff and "core" players.

IMO until the Cards get rid of Adrian Wilson and get a real SS instead of a hybrid LB they are always going to suck on defense. They have every year but one, 2004, that he has been on the team. 2001 to 2010. ONE year with a good defense.

Time for Adrian to hang 'em up.

 

[lobo]

Mitch

Then---when your #1 option Mike Vick is injury prone and some still question whether a scrambler can lead a team to a championship---why would a smart coach like Andy Reid trade a "championship caliber" QB who is only going to cost the team $1.4M this season AND---if he steps in for Vick and leads the Eagles to the NFC Championship---he can slap the f-tag on him while they try to negotiate a new deal going forward----so, in other words, there's no real imminent threat of losing him next year if indeed he proves to be what Reid says he is.[/quote]

Mitch you make some great points. I have seen a lot of Kolb and I always liked what I saw, but your point of view has great merit and maybe I won't cry as much if Smith came in. I certainly clearly recall his name was called far before Aaron Rodgers and he had the misfortune of working under too many OC's during his career..if the team can show some stability with Miller at OC he may blossom. The beauty of picking him up would certainly be a clear cut move to pick up a stud defensive player and not consider the two whom I personally do not feel are close to being ready....and I don't think their ceiling is as high as some may want us to believe.

 

[seesred]

I'm still hoping for Palmer or Horton. Then with the 5th pick Von Miller pass rusher delux.

GBR
40

 

[cardpa]

According to an article in yesterday's paper here in Harrisburg Pa someone has offered the Eagles a first round pick for Kolb. They mentioned 5 teams interested in Kolb.

They were the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans.

Wonder who offered the first round pick.

 

[Garthshort]

If we get Hasselback, we'd better get Bulger, also. Most games either could stay healthy for is about five games each. And after ten games maybe Skelton will be ready.

 

[Waysouth]

Mitch,

I agree with you on some of the points touting Smith. The one thing you have not mentioned is his accuracy. That's the one thing that concerns me about Smith and draws me closer to Palmer, Kolb or Hasselback. I think that is what Fitz is looking for too. Without our receivers getting separation the Cards have to rely on timing and the QB putting the ball where only they can get it.

 

[THESMEL]

They are all upgrades to what we have and anything in the draft. Newtons to high to risk at #5.

But Andy Reid is showing his savy.

Compared to the Cards that have few under contract and Fitz may the only tradable Cardinal at current contract.

This staff has destroyed the value of everone else or paid more than other teams would trade for.

I mean Dansby was franchised twice that might have been the best FA signings in 5 years.

My God Russ Grimm can't find a job elsewher, Thats crazy!

And Chris Miller turned down by a no name school!

 

[john h]

With all the recent talk about the Eagles wanting to trade QB Kevin Kolb to the highest bidder...there's really no telling who the highest bidder would be because we do not know next year's draft order yet.

Talk of trading this year's picks for Kolb is now totally moot...and it appears it will remain moot, seeing as it does not look possible at this point that an agreement will be made prior to the draft.

OK---so what does this mean for the Cardinals?

There's some reasonable speculation that two of the teams very interested in trading for Kolb are the 49ers and Seahawks.

The Vikings, Titans and Dolphins might also be interested, or so it would seem. And one shouldn't count out the Raiders either.

However, if the bidding for Kolb gets too ridiculous and either the 49ers or the Seahawks win the bidding---and one of them has to incur the costs of giving up high draft picks and signing Kolb to a lucrative extension---

The Cardinals could then make a concerted move to sign Alex Smith or Matt Hasselbeck (whomever is the one edged out of town by Kolb).

Both Smith and Hasselbeck are free agents who have played in the division with less talent for the passing game than what the Cardinals will offer them.

While the Cardinals weren't patient last year by waiting for Marc Bulger to be released...being patient this year may be the absolute best thing they could do...as in let another division rival overpay for Kolb and then sign a free agent (no loss of high draft picks) who actually might be a better option (and less expensive) than Kolb, especially since both Smith and Hasselbeck have significantly more starting experience than Kolb...and, as I said, they know the division!

Even better news where this is concerned is how being patient with the veteran QB options can affect this upcoming draft. The Cardinals already have three young QBs on the roster that they like and need to develop in Skelton, Bartel and Hall...so now...the Cardinals can go ahead and do what both Ray Horton and Kerry Rhodes have been imploring them to do: add the "2-3 missing pieces" that will help make the defense one of the best defenses in the NFL.

This is the route I hope the Cardinals take. I know I had them taking Cam Newton at #5 and i still think that's possible (but this wasn't my choice---it was what I think Whiz might do)---but even then when i had Whiz taking Newton---this had me worrying as whether they could assure themselves of drafting Jabaal Sheard at #38---which, as some of you astutely pointed out---may be very questionable as Sheard is now being mentioned as a late first rounder.

Two years ago the Cardinals---needing a pass rusher more than anything else---took an offensive player in round one (Beanie Wells) and watched as all the other best pass rushing prospects were being snatched up---which caused them to reach for a pass rusher in Round 2 (Cody Brown).

It may be wise to avoid doing this again---not this year with the superb talent pool of elite first round pass rushers. The level drops off quickly after Sheard.

Take the pass rusher first---then see where your board is at #38---but take care of that most essential "missing piece" first.

Devote this draft to the defense early and to the TE and OL positions later on. Assuming the Cardinals wind up with 8 picks: use the first 4 on defense and the last four on offense.

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.

I would hope that some NFL teams will overpay for Kolb but the reality is I think they are much smarter than that. He has more hype than known football talent. I would never give up my first round pick for him and then sign him to some long term expensive contract.

I have a lot of interest in Hasselback. He has a proven track record and although he is older he should have a few good years left and should fit nicely into our offense and our rookies who ever they are will have a good veteran to learn under.

I really do not understand why we are keeping Hall? He showed almost nothing last year. He was undrafted. He does not seem big enough for a QB in the NFL. I think he is just dead wood on this team.

I remain committed to drafting Gabbert if he is there and Newton if he is not. If both are gone then go for defense and take a QB in round two like our Arkansas QB who I still think will be a starting QB in the NFL in a few years. He has quietly been forgotten but he has the arm, size, and credentials in the SEC that says he can play in the NFL. He would be a good second round choice.

The real wild card here and is the one that will decide our fate for this year is who we sign as our starting QB. If we start Skelton or some rookie it tells me we are basically giving up on the season as rookies no matter how good just do not win division championships much less go further. None of us really have a clue what the Cards have in mind for the QB this year. All we can do is speculate. The Cards will clearly keep this top secret until some offer is on the table.

Come April 6 we will learn a lot when the judge rules on the injunction filed by the players. The Cards, I think, have a real case in their suit that the desertification was a sham move. It clearly was. Everyone knows the union will reform. If the owners think they can win this in court then the battle will be fought in the courts through the summer. When it comes time for players to start collecting their checks you can be sure their will a lot of players pressuring their reps to come to some sort of settlement.

 

[john h]

Then, when the CBA is reached, make your pitch for Kolb and if the price is too steep, go and snag Smith or Hasselbeck. Drive up the price for Kolb so that the 49ers or Seahawks have to pay far more than they want to. Heck, the Cardinals drove up the price for Charlie Whitehurst last year---and so far it's looking like they were smart to let the Seahawks overpay for him.

Mitch, what do you feel is a fair price to get Kolb? I happen to be a big supporter of that move and if I were writing the checks I pay the price, but just curious to hear if you were GM what you would go for?? Other fellow fans can of course add their points of view,[/QUOTE]

What has Kolb really done to show he is a good NFL QB. Actually he has very little starting experience. His team is really hyping him for good reason. If he is worth a 1st round pick why on earth would they trade him. Taking him is like taking a draft pick. He may be good and he may not. He is a gamble like any QB in the draft. Most importantly why would anyone give up a first round draft choice? Perhaps if you have the #32 pick but the guys picking last are the best teams who generally do not need a QB. I think Kolb is very over hyped and as a result we have all this talk about trading for him. When the trading begins we will see what teams really think about him. Kolb himself may believe all this hype himself and be looking for a big long term contract. No Kolb in my planning book.

 

[john h]

I'm with you on Palmer.

60%+ completion rate and more TDs than INTs every season he has played all 16 games. Far better than Bulger who I am afraid would be DeWreck Anderson ver. 2

I sure like Palmer but his owner sounds like he means what he says which is Palmer will not be traded. If Palmer were traded he iz a guy that is worth a first round pick and he is also a guy who would demand a big contract as he has the credentials to justify it. Probably way more than our owners have in mind.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, what do you feel is a fair price to get Kolb? I happen to be a big supporter of that move and if I were writing the checks I pay the price, but just curious to hear if you were GM what you would go for?? Other fellow fans can of course add their points of view,

What has Kolb really done to show he is a good NFL QB. Actually he has very little starting experience. His team is really hyping him for good reason. If he is worth a 1st round pick why on earth would they trade him. Taking him is like taking a draft pick. He may be good and he may not. He is a gamble like any QB in the draft. Most importantly why would anyone give up a first round draft choice? Perhaps if you have the #32 pick but the guys picking last are the best teams who generally do not need a QB. I think Kolb is very over hyped and as a result we have all this talk about trading for him. When the trading begins we will see what teams really think about him. Kolb himself may believe all this hype himself and be looking for a big long term contract. No Kolb in my planning book.[/quote]

______________________________________________________

John, I am leery of why the Eagles are so eager to trade him, especially when Mike Vick is injury-prone. In some ways Kolb found himself in a similar situation as Matt Leinart...both were being tabbed as their team's starting QB last year and Leinart didn't make it out of the pre-season and Kolb---thanks in part to erratic play and an injury---became an after-thought when Vick took command of the job. Now the Eagles want to peddle him...and are billing him as a "championship caliber QB."

Not buying it.

I want Alex Smith. No draft picks required. I think a change of scenery will be great for him---and I saw things in him last year that made me think that in the right system he could thrive.

I don't think the Bengals or the Broncos will be letting go of Palmer and Orton...so the trade route is moot, imo. Further moot by the lockout.

I want this draft to focus on adding the right pieces to the defense and we need all the picks.

The thought of Marc Bulger makes me cringe.

I like Hasselbeck...but worry about his durability.

Smith has gotten bigger and stronger and has developed some grittiness. Plus, I love his throwing motion...right over the top like many of Aaron Rodgers' passes. And like Rodgers, Smith is a good athlete.

 

[john h]

What has Kolb really done to show he is a good NFL QB. Actually he has very little starting experience. His team is really hyping him for good reason. If he is worth a 1st round pick why on earth would they trade him. Taking him is like taking a draft pick. He may be good and he may not. He is a gamble like any QB in the draft. Most importantly why would anyone give up a first round draft choice? Perhaps if you have the #32 pick but the guys picking last are the best teams who generally do not need a QB. I think Kolb is very over hyped and as a result we have all this talk about trading for him. When the trading begins we will see what teams really think about him. Kolb himself may believe all this hype himself and be looking for a big long term contract. No Kolb in my planning book.

______________________________________________________

John, I am leery of why the Eagles are so eager to trade him, especially when Mike Vick is injury-prone. In some ways Kolb found himself in a similar situation as Matt Leinart...both were being tabbed as their team's starting QB last year and Leinart didn't make it out of the pre-season and Kolb---thanks in part to erratic play and an injury---became an after-thought when Vick took command of the job. Now the Eagles want to peddle him...and are billing him as a "championship caliber QB."

Not buying it.

I want Alex Smith. No draft picks required. I think a change of scenery will be great for him---and I saw things in him last year that made me think that in the right system he could thrive.

I don't think the Bengals or the Broncos will be letting go of Palmer and Orton...so the trade route is moot, imo. Further moot by the lockout.

I want this draft to focus on adding the right pieces to the defense and we need all the picks.

The thought of Marc Bulger makes me cringe.

I like Hasselbeck...but worry about his durability.

Smith has gotten bigger and stronger and has developed some grittiness. Plus, I love his throwing motion...right over the top like many of Aaron Rodgers' passes. And like Rodgers, Smith is a good athlete.[/QUOTE]

I also like Hasselbeck and also worry about his durability. This is the same worry many on the board had about Kurt Warner. Hasselbeck could be our next Kurt or he could get knocked out the first week. I think I would take the chance on him based on who else is available. He is a guy that has done it before (like Kurt), He knows our division, He would be an excellent teacher of our young QBs and he would not cost a draft pick. I still want one of the top three QBs in the draft and as of today my first choice is Hasselbeck as one of the FA's or trade choices. This could change as we get closer. Surely the Cards already have a candidate in mind & I would think have talked to some agents. If that is legal. If they have not then they are foolish to say the least. I would think all the NFL teams that are looking for an experienced QB are on the phone daily and are ready to make a deal when the lockout/strike is settled. I forgot to add that a guy like Hasselbeck just might seal the deal on Larry Fitzgerald. If we go with Skelton I would say the chances of keeping Fitz are ZERO. We might end up drafting a guy like Green or Julio out of pure need if Fitz leaves. Breaston might not be far behind Fitz. One needs to think this through and of all of the unintended consequences. I am not sure our guys at the top are that smart. We are about 3 moves away from winning the division or finishing last depending on just how smart our decision makers are.