Arizona Cardinals: John Skelton Named Opening Day Starter as Tedious QB Battle Comes to a Close

After an entire offseason of indecision, the Arizona Cardinals have finally chosen their starting quarterback for the 2012 regular season.

According to multiple reports, the Cardinals have named third-year signal-caller John Skelton as the starter for the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Skelton had been battling last offseason’s prize acquisition Kevin Kolb for the job throughout the preseason, in a quarterback competition that at times was difficult to watch.

Each quarterback started two preseason contests, with Kolb completing 22 of 37 passes for 203 yards one touchdown and three interceptions, and Skelton going 14-of-25 for 131 yards, two picks and a score.

Rookie Ryan Lindley started the team’s preseason finale on Thursday night and neither Kolb nor Skelton appeared in the game.

While both quarterbacks have been relatively disappointing in exhibition play this season, Skelton was clearly the better of the two during the 2011 regular season.

In eight games last season, Skelton completed just 54.9 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,913, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. However, his mobility, poise and determination provided a huge lift for a struggling Cardinals team that finished the regular season by wining six of its final eight games under Skelton’s direction.

While it’s still too early to call last season’s high-profile trade for Kolb a complete bust, things are not looking good for the former Eagles backup, who has taken a far fall from his status as a potential franchise quarterback.

The next step for Skelton will be to prove that the coaching staff made the right decision and that he indeed gives the Cardinals the best chance to win now.

Follow Kris on Twitter: @Kris_Knox

Related stories:

2012-08-31 16:21:47

Source: http://www.nationalfootballauthority.com/2012/08/arizona-cardinals-john-skelton-named.html