Is Kevin Kolb Back for Real This Time?

Photo: AP Images

- Troy Ballard
Did I absolutely think, without a question, that Kevin Kolb would be the starting quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals before the end of this season?
Yes.
Evidently, that faith I placed in not only Kolb, but also in the blatant reality that the NFL is a fickle mistress, paid off. Following a total and complete trouncing off his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, Kolb has now glided the Cards' to a (3-0) record, and has also won back the starting job from John Skelton.
I know, hold the applause. It's hard to imagine anyone actually unseating the prodigy that is Skelton, but somehow it happened. But really, what Kolb has managed to do is quite impressive, especially given the laundry list of hurdles he has had to jump in his relatively short career.
The majority of those hurdles were nothing more than getting hurt at exactly the wrong time. It started in Philly, and it carried right over into Arizona. I had my doubts that the kid would ever be able to stay healthy for more than three-drives in a game, but so far so good on his latest tenure as a starter (but you can count he's crossing his fingers in every huddle).
However, possibly the largest hurdle was battling against himself. Every single time he had a real chance in the NFL, it was snatched away and he was written off for another player. It happened with Mike Vick, and it happened with Skelton. He couldn't catch a break.
Really, as much as everyone loves to pour the hate on Kolb for being a total trade-bust, he really hasn't had a chance to prove his worth. Outside of a few games, most coming off some ailment or another, we didn't get to see a full unhindered sample of what he could do. But we were teased with those flashes of what Kolb could be (see: 2010, Eagles), and it looked fantastic.
And now, with three starts under him and no injuries, Kolb is undefeated.
Analysts, fans and fellow players were quick to call him out and make bold statements about Arizona needing to draft another quarterback for the future. I stood behind Kolb, even when he was benched, and pleaded patience. I had a gut feeling, whether it be from Skelton being injured, or just him being Jonathan Skelton, Kolb would get another shot.
But as noted by the title, the real inquiry is this: has Kolb finally arrived as a starting quarterback in the NFL?
It's too early to tell. That's the truth.
We've seen these red-hot games from Kolb in the past, but his performance was either shut down due to injury or him not being the starter, and any of us have yet to see any real long-term consistency. However, if he can stay on the field, and the Cards' coaching staff gives him their full support -- I'd say that there's a good chance that Kolb is the quarterback this team has been hoping for.
After all, he did beat Tom Brady, in New England. That's something.