Where Will Kolb Land?
April 12th 2011 09:30
The current NFL lockout has stopped one the best periods of the NFL offseason in its free agency. The lock on trading players for this April's draft picks has also put a stop to any wheeling and dealing that may have taken place. The big name out there on the trade market is current Philadelphia Eagle's backup Kevin Kolb. With the emergence of Michael Vick and a weak QB class, many teams have shown interest in Kolb.
It is true that teams cannot currently trade this year's picks for players, but future picks are on the table. The dilemma for teams is they will not know where these picks will slot. Philly has to decide whether they want to hold onto Kolb and only receive compensation picks when he leaves, or make a deal for a mystery future first rounder. While the backup position is important anywhere, this fact is magnified in Philadelphia due to the mobility of Vick and the chances he takes with his body. Even so I think the Eagles need to jump at the opportunity to pick up future first rounders for Kolb. Here is a list of teams that may offer them the opportunity.
Cardinals
The Cardinals ended the year ranked 31st overall in passing offense. Derek Anderson is the only recognizable QB on the roster followed by Richard Bartel, Max Hall, and John Skelton. The 3 not named Anderson have not yet combined to play in a full season's worth of games, and the highest QB rating of the bunch is held by Skelton at a meager 62.3. While Anderson is unbelievable still only 27, he will not be making Arizona fans forget that Warner guy any time soon. The Cardinals need an upgrade at the QB position and it is just a matter of does it happen in the draft or through a trade for Kolb. Unfortunately for them there are teams in front of them that are in need of a quarterback as well so Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert may not be available to them at 5.
49ers
49ers brass was hoping that Alex Smith would be making perennial trips to Hawaii sporting his Super Bowl rings by now. Unfortunately things did not quite work out as planned in San Fran. While Smith ended the year on a bit of an upswing, he still carries many question marks. With the change in coaching and Smith entering his 7th season, time may well be running out for him near the Bay. Smith can take notes on how to handle his situation from another failed number one pick, David Carr who is also on the roster. The final spot is taken by former Heisman winner Troy Smith who few think can make the jump to the professional level. It seems unlikely at this point that Newton or Gabbert will fall to the 49ers at 7. If he doesn't like the trio he inherits, new coach Jim Harbaugh will have to decide between a later round project or trading for a more proven quantity in Kolb.
Titans
After the fallout of the Jeff Fisher/Vince Young situation, Tennessee is left with a hole at the QB position. With Young on his way out, the Titans are left with veterans Kerry Collins and Chris Simms to go along with Brett Ratliff and Rusty Smith. At this point you know what you have in Collins and Simms, Ratliff hasn't taken an NFL snap and Smith did not look good in his debut last year. Coach Fisher and the Titans may take a look at the potential the roster holds and their lack of recent success and decide they would rather capture the moment and make a move on Kolb rather than take their lumps with a draftee.
Raiders
A list like this always has to include da Raiders. Al Davis is the NFL's equivalent of a wildcard. After the Jamarcus Russell period ended in Oakland, the Raiders turned to former Washington Redskin Jason Campbell. That experiment was short lived as Campbell was pulled in the favor of Bruce Gradkowski. With the Raiders coming off of their 8-8 season and the uncertainty still surrounding their QB situation, Davis could see this as a great opportunity to bring in Kolb and take that next step forward.
Kolb could be on the move this offseason
It is true that teams cannot currently trade this year's picks for players, but future picks are on the table. The dilemma for teams is they will not know where these picks will slot. Philly has to decide whether they want to hold onto Kolb and only receive compensation picks when he leaves, or make a deal for a mystery future first rounder. While the backup position is important anywhere, this fact is magnified in Philadelphia due to the mobility of Vick and the chances he takes with his body. Even so I think the Eagles need to jump at the opportunity to pick up future first rounders for Kolb. Here is a list of teams that may offer them the opportunity.
Cardinals
Whisenhunt still looking to replace Warner
The Cardinals ended the year ranked 31st overall in passing offense. Derek Anderson is the only recognizable QB on the roster followed by Richard Bartel, Max Hall, and John Skelton. The 3 not named Anderson have not yet combined to play in a full season's worth of games, and the highest QB rating of the bunch is held by Skelton at a meager 62.3. While Anderson is unbelievable still only 27, he will not be making Arizona fans forget that Warner guy any time soon. The Cardinals need an upgrade at the QB position and it is just a matter of does it happen in the draft or through a trade for Kolb. Unfortunately for them there are teams in front of them that are in need of a quarterback as well so Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert may not be available to them at 5.
49ers
Smith has not been the savior the 49ers hoped
49ers brass was hoping that Alex Smith would be making perennial trips to Hawaii sporting his Super Bowl rings by now. Unfortunately things did not quite work out as planned in San Fran. While Smith ended the year on a bit of an upswing, he still carries many question marks. With the change in coaching and Smith entering his 7th season, time may well be running out for him near the Bay. Smith can take notes on how to handle his situation from another failed number one pick, David Carr who is also on the roster. The final spot is taken by former Heisman winner Troy Smith who few think can make the jump to the professional level. It seems unlikely at this point that Newton or Gabbert will fall to the 49ers at 7. If he doesn't like the trio he inherits, new coach Jim Harbaugh will have to decide between a later round project or trading for a more proven quantity in Kolb.
Titans
With Vince Young out who will be the next Titan QB?
After the fallout of the Jeff Fisher/Vince Young situation, Tennessee is left with a hole at the QB position. With Young on his way out, the Titans are left with veterans Kerry Collins and Chris Simms to go along with Brett Ratliff and Rusty Smith. At this point you know what you have in Collins and Simms, Ratliff hasn't taken an NFL snap and Smith did not look good in his debut last year. Coach Fisher and the Titans may take a look at the potential the roster holds and their lack of recent success and decide they would rather capture the moment and make a move on Kolb rather than take their lumps with a draftee.
Raiders
Who knows what Davis's Raiders will do?
A list like this always has to include da Raiders. Al Davis is the NFL's equivalent of a wildcard. After the Jamarcus Russell period ended in Oakland, the Raiders turned to former Washington Redskin Jason Campbell. That experiment was short lived as Campbell was pulled in the favor of Bruce Gradkowski. With the Raiders coming off of their 8-8 season and the uncertainty still surrounding their QB situation, Davis could see this as a great opportunity to bring in Kolb and take that next step forward.
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Comment by nbageek
Comment by Short
Food Herald
Comment by Winless In Seattle
UnSportsman
The upcoming NFL draft is the last remaining part of the old CBA that expired. They can't deal current players as part of trades, but they can trade picks for picks no problem.
My gut feel has been this way for a long time - there will be a QB heavy 1st round come draft day.
Comment by Short
Food Herald
I changed the wording so it should make more sense now, thanks for the heads up UnSportsman!