Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Reality Check

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the in UCLA Bruins the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

We know the Arizona Cardinals will have Carson Palmer as their starting quarterback in 2014.  That much was made clear after the Cards didn’t trade up to get the one and only guy they apparently saw as a starter now in the NFL.  After comments by general manager Steve Keim, we know that guy to be Blake Bortles.  The reality at this point for the Cards is their only 2014 quarterback draftee is considered by many as a project.

The Cards had a couple of projects a few years ago.  You might remember them.  John Skelton?  Max Hall?  Remember them?  How did they work out?  Now, it really isn’t fair to compare Logan Thomas to either one of those guys as Thomas does have a good arm.  The problem is you never know where the ball is going to end up.  With Skelton, you just knew the ball was rarely going to hit its target.

The thing for me here is though, I don’t think the Cards drafted him as a project.  Others may think that but I don’t think they would have taken him if they didn’t see something.  After all, they did work him out in the off-season.  He will compete with Ryan Lindley for the third-string  job this season.  It won’t be handed to him but I have to think the Cards brass is secretly hoping that Thomas will win that battle.  Hey, I’ll be rooting for him.  I just hope they don’t hang onto him longer than they have to if he isn’t panning out.   The Cards held on the Skelton too long.  That was the last Cards regime though.  It’s a new program in Arizona.  Thomas will have to prove himself NFL worthy now.  Not starter worthy.  Just worthy enough to hold a roster spot.  With a decision to be made on Palmer after the season, Thomas will have a short period of time to show he will be ready within the next couple of years to take over.