The quarterback that the Arizona Cardinals shouldn’t acquire
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals’ much-publicized quarterback dilemma will not be solved by acquiring a mediocre talent like Tyrod Taylor
Various quarterbacks are being linked with the Arizona Cardinals these days. Free agent choices, draft prospects and even a trade possibility or two have been discussed ad nauseam. There’s one passer being talked about, however, who general manager Steve Keim should avoid at all costs.
Anyone who watched Tyrod Taylor’s performance in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs could not have been impressed. The Buffalo Bills’ signal-caller’s showing was reminiscent of the Ryan Lindley debacle of a few years ago. The Cards’ third-stringer in 2014, Lindley led a offense that generated just 78 yards and eight first downs in a postseason loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Actually, Taylor’s play this past January during the Bills’ 10-3 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars may have been worse. Lindley, unlike Taylor, did manage to throw a touchdown pass during his playoff appearance. All that the Buffalo leader could muster versus the Jags was a measly field goal.
Of course, a quarterback needs to be judged on a body of work, not just one contest. Taylor, by no means, is a horrible player. Arizona, however, could do much better than the 28-year old, former Baltimore Raven.
Taylor’s best year as the Bills’ starter was in 2015. In 14 starts, the Virginia Tech product threw for 3,035 yards and 20 scores. But there’s been a steady decline in Taylor’s statistics ever since.
In 2016, the passing yardage dipped slightly to 3,023, and the touchdown tosses were reduced by three (17). Taylor’s production last year was really disappointing. He passed for just 2,799 yards and 14 touchdowns, but even more alarming was Taylor’s yards per attempt (6.7).
Another red flag is Taylor’s slight size. A passer who stands just 6’1″ is bound to have trouble finding passing lanes behind the mammoth linemen that exist in today’s NFL. Opponents of the argument will point out that Drew Brees is just six-feet tall, but the New Orleans Saint is a rarity.
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It’s a crucial offseason for the Cardinals. It’s of vital importance that management brings in the most-qualified candidate they can find to take the quarterback reigns. Taylor just does not appear to be that guy.