Even before the Arizona Cardinals did not draft a quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft, there were many who felt that they would not do it, despite the obvious need. Since the end of the draft, it seems like every single possible quarterback option out there in the league is connected to the Cardinals. Check that -- almost every quarterback. While he has been brought up numerous times in the past, Donovan McNabb has not been in the news or blogs connecting him to Arizona.
However, Kevin Kolb, Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselbeck and Carson Palmer all have. The thing is that all but Palmer have had reports in the last few days making it seem like each one of them will be the Week 1 starter for the Cardinals this year.
So let us look at each of the rumors and see if you can determine which is the one that is most likely to happen.
Marc Bulger
On Day 1 of the draft, the Cardinals had a supposed "understanding" with Marc Bulger, the former Rams starter and 2010 backup to Joe Flacco on the Ravens. Considering his time in the NFC West, his similar skillset to Kurt Warner and the fact that Ken Whisenhunt wanted him in Arizona this season, he makes a lot of sense, especially if the plan is to develop John Skelton.
Matt Hasselbeck
The aging Seattle Seahawk starting quarterback who has led his team to multiple division titles and several playoff victories is set to become a free agent once the lockout ends. On Saturday, he was connected to the Cardinals. After a report came out saying that he had turned down a contract offer from Seattle and is going to leave the Seahawks, Peter King tweeted that Arizona was the most likely destination he would end up. Also, just a few days ago, it was also reported that sources say that the Cards are "quietly hoping to make a run" at Hasselbeck.
As a veteran option, he also makes sense. He knows the division, he has a history of winning and led his team to the playoffs just last year.
Kevin Kolb
As of Monday morning, the Cardinals had a tentative deal in place to acquire Kevin Kolb. It was reported that they would deal a 2012 first round pick. the deal supposedly did not happen only because of the lockout being reinstated. On the radio in Phoenix, the rumor had added that it was the pick and a player, possibly Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
We all know that Kolb has surfaced several times and that, specifically, he may be the preference of Larry Fitzgerald. Is he worth giving up that much? A 2012 pick? Sure, why not? A pick and a starting player? Smells like a bad deal.
Carson Palmer
I will make it clear that this does not come from any report, but rather speculation because of the draft. With the selection of running back Ryan Williams in the second round, thus supposedly making either Tim Hightower or Beanie Wells expendable, the speculation is that the Cardinals could trade Wells straight up to the Bengals, returning him to Ohio where he played in college, for disgruntled QB Carson Palmer.
This trade intrigues me, even though Wells is my favorite Cardinals player. The team seemingly has an expendable back, Palmer could be a very good fit (especially since the Cardinals will play the NFC North in 2011) and it would avoid trading a draft pick for next year.
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Obviously not all these rumors can be real. It is not possible that the Cardinals have solid connections with three different players out there. What we have learned is that we need to wait it out, in particularly for the lockout factor. It will certainly be interesting who things pan out so we can see the reports that were the more credible ones.