Kevin

Kolb

Tap the breaks on Matt Flynn-to-Oakland. Despite a Friday report that a Flynn trade was “imminent”, multiple indications since have pointed to Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie weighing his options. In our estimation, signing Kolb without coughing up picks would be a far smarter pursuit then dealing the Seahawks draft selections the Raiders need to rebuild a putrid roster. Kolb is only ten months older than Flynn, and neither is a franchise-caliber quarterback.

The Seahawks’ bracket coverage took Larry Fitzgerald out of the game in the second half, and the Cardinals’ passing offense fell to pieces. Kolb got jittery in the pocket after swallowing up three sacks and several more hard hits, particularly from Seattle RE Chris Clemons. Through three games, Kolb is 60-of-96 (62.5%) for 812 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Consider Kolb a QB2 option only in Week 4 against the Giants.

Kolb was absolutely brutal as the Cardinals’ entire offense looked lost. He was mercifully removed in favor of Richard Bartel for the final drive, but was forcing passes all day long before that. It certainly didn’t help that the Cardinals were down 28-0 after the first quarter. Kolb heads into the bye as a weak QB2.

He scrambled twice for 14 yards. The fantasy production doesn’t look bad, but it was the same old story for Kolb. He gets happy feet in the pocket when the defense brings pressure and brackets Larry Fitzgerald out of the picture, which is happening frequently of late. While Kolb has settled in as a respectable QB2 option, he’s not remotely trustworthy as a true fantasy starter.

Beat writer Kent Somers gets the feeling the Cardinals expects to have answer by Friday’s deadline for Kolb’s option. Between the concussion issues and underwhelming play in his debut season with Arizona, it was fair to wonder if the organization might cut ties even if they fail to land Manning. That’s apparently not going to be the case.

The Cardinals need to get under the cap by Tuesday, anyway. Their first move will be to release LT Levi Brown, saving $14.5 million. They can save roughly $3 million more by cutting Todd Heap and Chansi Stuckey, and are expected to either part with or restructure ILB Stewart Bradley’s deal. Cutting Kevin Kolb might be put on the backburner for now, especially since Manning isn’t expected to sign with a team before Tuesday’s free agency commencement.

Graves went on to say he’s happy with the quarterbacks the Cardinals have, but that they will “see what other opportunities present themselves.” Short of wearing a shirt that read “the Arizona Cardinals are interested in Peyton Manning,” Graves couldn’t have made it more clear Arizona will look into the future Hall-of-Famer if/when he’s released by the Colts.

Kolb’s bonus is technically due Saturday, but the Cardinals must report the move to the league office before the official end of the league week to have Kolb off the roster by Saturday. It means Arizona will be in serious limbo if free agent Peyton Manning still hasn’t made a decision about his future by Friday afternoon.

It means Kolb is set to count more than $8 million against the cap, and will be given every opportunity to lockdown the starting job he struggled with in 2011. Due a $2 million roster bonus next offseason, Kolb’s career will be at another crossroads if he doesn’t improve in 2012.

If the Cardinals opt to pay Kolb’s $7 million bonus by March 17, he counts $10.5 million against the cap. If they decide instead to cut Kolb loose after hypothetically landing Peyton Manning, the Cardinals could utilize one of their two available exceptions to carry it over for one more year. That exception makes it easier to fit Manning under the cap if Arizona wins the sweepstakes.