FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The Cardinals might not know who will start at quarterback for Arizona this weekend against the New England Patriots. But to the Patriots, it doesn't much matter.
John Skelton? Kevin Kolb? Either way, the Patriots have a challenge in front of them.
"He's a good quarterback, let's get that understood right now," New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork said of Kolb, the favorite for Sunday. "But that whole offense, they have weapons -- from the backs to the tight ends to the receivers. Up front, they know what they're doing."
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After a strong finish last year, Skelton beat out Kolb for the starting spot in preseason, but left Arizona's season opener Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle. Kolb came off the bench and orchestrated an 80-yard drive, going 6 of 8 for 66 yards, including the game-winning 6-yard touchdown pass to Andre Roberts with 4:59 to play.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt Wednesday wouldn't confirm the swirling speculation surrounding his starter, though it appears Kolb has the inside track.
New England, trying to shake a poor season defensively last year, is off to a good start. The Patriots held Tennessee to 284 yards and 16 first downs in a 34-13 win in Week 1.
"We see a lot of things on film that he poses a threat to," Wilfork said of Kolb. "So, we're going to have to do a real good job defensively trying to slow him down."
The Patriots have put in preparations for both Skelton and Kolb, knowing they'll have their hands full with either. Especially considering one of them will be throwing to All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
"They're both good players and they've won with both players, and we'll have to be ready for whoever they put in there. We can't control that," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "I think their skillsets are a little bit different, but the offense is the same and certainly when Kolb came in last week, they didn't change their offense. They continued to do what they do. We have to defend the other 10 guys as well as the quarterback."
"At the end of the day, you have to go out there and play the game," New England linebacker Jerod Mayo said. "And whoever's playing, we'll be ready for."
Mayo is impressed with Kolb, especially after last week's winning drive.
"He has starter skills," Mayo said. "He can make all the throws, he can run around, throw on the run. He's a dangerous player."
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
