Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Richard Bartel combined to rank 29th in completion percentage last season. They tossed the third-most interceptions in the league, and only the quarterbacks on the St. Louis Rams were sacked more (once more, actually) than the Cardinals. In a wide-open NFC West, improved quarterback play could be just what the Cardinals need to get back in the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
To achieve that, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports the Cardinals are getting back to basics under quarterbacks coach John McNulty, who spent the previous three seasons as the team's receivers coach. McNulty and the quarterbacks have been scrutinizing the film from last season and the permissible on-field throwing sessions with the receivers during the first two phases of the offseason program, according to Somers. McNulty is working with the group on the fundamentals, primarily their footwork.
"When we started (this offseason), you realized how much they missed last year," McNulty said. "We're going from ground zero so to speak: each play, each protection, each situation."
Kolb and Skelton reportedly are even heading into the offseason workouts, which stand to benefit Skelton the most. As a 2010 fifth-round pick, last offseason was critical to his development and he was denied that work by the lockout. Six weeks in, Skelton is already seeing the benefits of the program.
"It's night and day," Skelton said. "Even the small workouts we've gotten here and there the last few weeks, you can tell the difference coming here the first day in helmets and everything."
