Can the Arizona Cardinals Become an Elite Team with an Average Quarterback?

Sept. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Most of the elite teams have had a great starting quarterback leading their teams — it’s no accident that the teams that have won multiple Super Bowls recently (New England, New York, and Pittsburgh) are led by great quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Eli Manning, and  Ben Roethlisberger.  And even the one-time recent winners (Indianapolis, Green Bay, New Orleans) had Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees leading the team.

Occasionally, though, a team with a great defense can become an elite team with an average quarterback.  The two best defensive teams in the past 30 years were arguably the 1985 Chicago Bears and the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.  Both teams went on to win a Super Bowl that year.  However, their quarterbacks were not exactly Hall of Fame caliber players: Jim McMahon and Trent Dilfer.

I don’t think Kevin Kolb and John Skelton will ever be great quarterbacks in the Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees mold.  But that doesn’t mean that with a stifling defense, and some other pieces clicking, the Arizona Cardinals cannot become an elite team — even with an average starting quarterback.

The Cardinals are not even close to being a top five team right now.  However, they don’t necessarily need Tom Brady lining up behind the center to accomplish the goal.