NFL Trade Rumors: Kevin Kolb for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a Done Deal?
Published By Daniel Lewis (Featured Columnist) on July 20, 2011 at Bleacher Report. Click to download article.
Jim Sullivan/USA Today
At this point, do not expect to see Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Kevin Kolb suiting up in a midnight-green uniform this upcoming season.
League sources have the Eagles and Arizona Cardinals consummating a trade involving Kolb and Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie once the lockout is lifted.
It is easy to see why this trade makes sense. Arizona desperately needs a franchise-caliber quarterback after losing Kurt Warner to retirement after the 2009 season, and the Eagles need defensive help, especially a right cornerback.
Rodgers-Cromartie and the Eagles have been linked as far back as the draft, when both teams were poised to pull the trigger on the deal, had the brief lockout lift given them enough time.
In fact, some concluded that the Cardinals drafted cornerback Patrick Peterson fifth overall just to trade him to the Eagles, but it appears they drafted him to serve as DRC’s replacement.
While several teams are still searching for starting signal-callers—division rival Seattle might make a last minute push for Kolb—the Cardinals remain the clear favorite to land Kolb.
In fact, the 26-year-old QB believes a relocation to Arizona in the near future is a done deal.
“I think most people can connect the dots now, I hope,” Kolb said. “Arizona would be a great place. I’ve obviously envisioned myself there.”
Kolb became expendable for the Eagles when Michael Vick rose to prominence with an electrifying season that ended prematurely to the eventual Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles have zeroed in on DRC in exchange for Kolb because the former would be a significant upgrade over Dimitri Patterson, who was forced to start after the Eagles failed to find a suitable replacement last season for Sheldon Brown and a competent complement to left corner Asante Samuel.
GM Howie Roseman and company, though, are trying to squeeze as much as possible in exchange for a quarterback who they insist can be a star under center.
In fact, it appears that Rodgers-Cromartie may not be enough for the Eagles. They want more, possibly a 2012 second- or third-round draft pick.
Though DRC and a draft pick might seem like a steep asking price for an unproven commodity in Kolb, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reveals why the Cards are so ready to unload a former Pro Bowl cover man.
“Coaches have had to continually stay on him about study habits, consistency and attention to detail. After three seasons, perhaps the Cardinals have grown tired of harping on Rodgers-Cromartie.”
For Eagles fans that have not seen DRC in live action, he is a significant talent who might be a bit undisciplined, as he led the league in penalties last year. At 6'2" and 185 pounds, he is not a big hitter. After two impressive seasons, he seemed to play listlessly last year.
All of that said, though, the Eagles are unlikely to find a similar young talent on the free-agent market.
Having the rookie Peterson waiting in the wings allows Arizona to move on from the former first-rounder Rodgers-Cromartie, assuming that Peterson is as good as advertised and Greg Toler has what it takes to start.
If the Eagles make this trade, they can cross their biggest offseason need off their list, giving them plenty of money to get better at linebacker and along both sides of the trenches.
Draft pick included or not, look for the exchange to occur and bid farewell to Kevin Kolb.
Kolb, whose contract will expire after next season, has already made his goodbye to the Eagles.
“I’ve had a great time there, but it’s time for me to move on and do my own thing,” Kolb said to WIP’s Howard Eskin, hosting the syndicated Dan Patrick Show. "I’m the first one to tell you that I had my shot and it didn’t work out. That’s why I have to go prove myself somewhere else if that possibility presents itself. I can’t think of one [scenario that would involve staying] from the conversations I’ve had before it all happened. It sounds like [a trade is] the plan, and I hope everyone sticks to it.”
League sources have the Eagles and Arizona Cardinals consummating a trade involving Kolb and Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie once the lockout is lifted.
It is easy to see why this trade makes sense. Arizona desperately needs a franchise-caliber quarterback after losing Kurt Warner to retirement after the 2009 season, and the Eagles need defensive help, especially a right cornerback.
Rodgers-Cromartie and the Eagles have been linked as far back as the draft, when both teams were poised to pull the trigger on the deal, had the brief lockout lift given them enough time.
In fact, some concluded that the Cardinals drafted cornerback Patrick Peterson fifth overall just to trade him to the Eagles, but it appears they drafted him to serve as DRC’s replacement.
While several teams are still searching for starting signal-callers—division rival Seattle might make a last minute push for Kolb—the Cardinals remain the clear favorite to land Kolb.
In fact, the 26-year-old QB believes a relocation to Arizona in the near future is a done deal.
“I think most people can connect the dots now, I hope,” Kolb said. “Arizona would be a great place. I’ve obviously envisioned myself there.”
Kolb became expendable for the Eagles when Michael Vick rose to prominence with an electrifying season that ended prematurely to the eventual Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles have zeroed in on DRC in exchange for Kolb because the former would be a significant upgrade over Dimitri Patterson, who was forced to start after the Eagles failed to find a suitable replacement last season for Sheldon Brown and a competent complement to left corner Asante Samuel.
GM Howie Roseman and company, though, are trying to squeeze as much as possible in exchange for a quarterback who they insist can be a star under center.
In fact, it appears that Rodgers-Cromartie may not be enough for the Eagles. They want more, possibly a 2012 second- or third-round draft pick.
Though DRC and a draft pick might seem like a steep asking price for an unproven commodity in Kolb, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reveals why the Cards are so ready to unload a former Pro Bowl cover man.
“Coaches have had to continually stay on him about study habits, consistency and attention to detail. After three seasons, perhaps the Cardinals have grown tired of harping on Rodgers-Cromartie.”
For Eagles fans that have not seen DRC in live action, he is a significant talent who might be a bit undisciplined, as he led the league in penalties last year. At 6'2" and 185 pounds, he is not a big hitter. After two impressive seasons, he seemed to play listlessly last year.
All of that said, though, the Eagles are unlikely to find a similar young talent on the free-agent market.
Having the rookie Peterson waiting in the wings allows Arizona to move on from the former first-rounder Rodgers-Cromartie, assuming that Peterson is as good as advertised and Greg Toler has what it takes to start.
If the Eagles make this trade, they can cross their biggest offseason need off their list, giving them plenty of money to get better at linebacker and along both sides of the trenches.
Draft pick included or not, look for the exchange to occur and bid farewell to Kevin Kolb.
Kolb, whose contract will expire after next season, has already made his goodbye to the Eagles.
“I’ve had a great time there, but it’s time for me to move on and do my own thing,” Kolb said to WIP’s Howard Eskin, hosting the syndicated Dan Patrick Show. "I’m the first one to tell you that I had my shot and it didn’t work out. That’s why I have to go prove myself somewhere else if that possibility presents itself. I can’t think of one [scenario that would involve staying] from the conversations I’ve had before it all happened. It sounds like [a trade is] the plan, and I hope everyone sticks to it.”