By Brad Wilbricht
FOXSportsArizona.com and AZRedReport.com
The Cardinals offense has hope once again. That hope comes in the form of rookie quarterback John Skelton.
After being spoiled by Kurt Warner in recent years, Arizona's quarterback play has reached the opposite end of the spectrum this season and has been nothing short of pitiful.
Derek Anderson started the 2010 campaign with a glimmer of hope. Anderson put forth a respectable effort in the season opener in St. Louis (22 of 41, 297 yards, 85.1 QB rating), but it was all downhill from there. At this point, the chance of Anderson even being in a Cardinals uniform next year is diminshing by the day.
Next up was undrafted rookie Max Hall.
Hall was the feel-good story around the league following an improbable victory over New Orleans. He was tabbed by some as the next Warner. However, Hall's many shortcomings -- most notably his lack of size and arm strength -- were too much to overcome. Similar to Anderson, Hall might not be back in Arizona next season and could even struggle to make a 53-man roster.
Now, the onus lies with Skelton. But this time it feels different.
Skelton has an aura about him, and unlike Hall -- who demonstrated a similar demeanor -- he has the measurables to back it up. At 6-foot-5 and 240-plus pounds, Skelton has prototypical size He has a cannon for an arm and can send the ball 50 yards downfield with a flick of the wrist. Skelton boasts an unteachable pocket presence along with a quick release. He can also make plays with his feet, a skill that's even more impressive given his large stature.
Despite all of the positives surrounding Skelton, coach Ken Whisenhunt was extremely reluctant to play him this season -- and rightfully so. It's been well-documented that forcing young quarterbacks into action prior to being ready can be damaging.
It took quite a sequence of events to get Skelton on the field, but eventually, it happened.
Anderson continues to fight symptoms of a concussion and still hasn't been cleared to practice. Hall was placed on injured reserve following a shoulder injury. Skelton was the last man standing and has since been joined by former UFL backup Richard Bartel -- not much in the way of competition.
In the midst of a 4-9 campaign with plenty to second-guess, holding Skelton back could have been one of Whisenhunt's biggest mistakes. But the scenario playing out could also be just what Skelton's development needed -- no pressure, tempered expectations and a great opportunity to see how he responds during live action.
In the preseason, Skelton's reputation as a 'gamer' was already starting to take form. He hadn't practiced well in training camp and was struggling to grasp the offense. But when Skelton ran onto the field for the first time, his performance was impressive and effortless (5 of 6 for 84 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener).
The next time Skelton surfaced wasn't until Week 13, in a relief role against St. Louis. The following week, Skelton beat Denver in his first NFL start, snapping the Cardinals' seven-game losing streak in the process.
Sure, having Anderson or Hall under center may have led to the same outcome, but Skelton's actions on the field have been a breath of fresh air. While his stat line -- 15 of 37 for 146 yards -- was less than impressive, there were noticeable differences when looking beyond the box score.
Skelton can get into a flow of a game -- something Anderson could not. Skelton can stretch the defense by making plays down the field -- something Hall could not. Skelton energized his teammates -- something Anderson and Hall managed to do for a limited period but could not sustain over time.
Now, the million-dollar question is whether Skelton can maintain that energy level and elevate it over the final three games of the season. This is a significant audition for Skelton. If he plays well, it could lead to a starting role in 2011, or at least the opportunity to be in the mix.
Skelton opening next season as the starter might not be ideal, but the price to pay for quarterbacks -- either via free agency or high in the draft -- is steep. If history repeats itself, the Cardinals will shy away from the hefty investment needed to make a splash at the most important position on the field.
But again, it feels different with Skelton. He handles himself well, both on and off the field. Thanks to throwing blocks on reverses and lowering his shoulder to gain a first down, Skelton has instantly gained the respect of the fans and, more importantly, his teammates.
Arizona moved up to select Skelton in the fifth round of the draft, thinking and hoping it had just found a diamond in the rough. He was considered a project, but his time has come sooner than anyone expected (even Skelton himself).
Skelton is the Cardinals' best option at quarterback right now -- even if it's by default. As laughable as the 2010 season has been, the final three games are vital for the future and particularly for Skelton, who has a chance to cement his status as part of the team's foundation for next year and beyond.
