Arizona Cardinals offseason open thread: Which QB will be No. 3?

As the offseason starts to hit its slower stage (at least in part), let us start the afternoon open threads again.

The Arizona Cardinals wanted to upgrade the quarterback position this offseason. I think that we can consider this completed, although the amount of improvement is yet to be seen. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton are gone, and in their places are Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton.

It is a foregone conclusion that those two guys are the starter and backup at the position. What is not yet determined is who will be the number three guy.

There are two guys battling for one spot -- Brian Hoyer and Ryan Lindley. Fans will say that Hoyer definitely be the guy, but it might not be that simple.

Yes, Hoyer has some potential. There was talk about how he should have been the starter for the Cardinals this season. In his lone start, he looked passable. He has been the third guy mentioned by Bruce Arians when he talks about the quarterbacks.

Lindley? He had as bad an individual performance that we have seen by a player, even if he ended up forced into duty when Kolb was injured and Skelton was plain bad for most of the season. He did not throw for a touchdown all season....well, correction -- he threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Janoris Jenkins did it twice.

At the same time, there were a few throws he made that were absolutely beautiful, including one that could have led to a win over the Atlanta Falcons had Larry Fitzgerald been able to hold onto it.

Lindley is not practice squad eligible because he was active for games last season too many time. This means that he has to make the team or be cut or traded.

But money could be an issue. Hoyer is signed to a $2 million restricted free agent tender. Would you want to pay your third stringer $2 million? Lindley will make $480,000 this season.

Hoyer could be traded, but at this point, who is going to and be willing to pay him that much?

One could say that you have to get rid of Lindley, if for nothing else but to completely erase the quarterback situation of 2012. However, he may have potential for development.

Hoyer's contract is not guaranteed. If he is cut, it does not set the team back. Lindley, though, might not have the confidence of the coaching staff.

So, the question is this:

Who should be the third stringer and who do you think it will be?

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