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Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians answers a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Two of the NFL's best young quarterbacks reside in the NFC West.

Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick both led their teams to the playoffs last season, and both figure to be effective for years to come.

And, part of what makes each of them so good is their ability to run as well as pass.

Teams have been trending towards adding mobile quarterbacks of late, with the likes of Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Jake Locker all selected in the top 10 of recent drafts.

However, don't expect the Cardinals to follow suit.

"Give defensive coordinators in the National Football League credit, they'll have time to study this new trend that's happening right now in the NFL," new Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "I'm not a believer in putting my quarterback in harm's way; I think a lot of harm will come to him.

"I'm more of a traditionalist."

What does that mean for the Cardinals as they continue to search for a quarterback? John Skelton and Ryan Lindley are more pocket-style passers while Kevin Kolb tends to be more comfortable running around a bit.

As for the draft, the top-ranked passer appears to be West Virginia's Geno Smith, who is mobile yet is not apt to just take off and run. Prospects Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon and Tyler Wilson do most of their work from the pocket as well, albeit without Smith's mobility.

Adam Green, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

9 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    CoachK wrote...
    That eliminates three
    Bad news for Geno Smith, E.J. Manuel and Matt Scott
  • Abuse
    diehardcard wrote...
    This is what you get
    When you hire an old guy, you get old ideas. He's gonna last 2 years. Three tops.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    About Kolb
    When he runs for his life at the first sing of trouble, he looks anything but comfortable.
  • Abuse
    CardsFan_ wrote...
    "Old ideas"?
    Yeah, who wants a pocket passer like those losers Rodgers, Brady or Manning. I mean, running QBs win Super Bowls all the time, right? Our coach should be jumping on the latest fads, not doing tried-and-true techniques!
  • Abuse
    diehardcard wrote...
    Tried and true techniques?
    You mean like the T-formation, the Run-and-Shoot, the Double-wing, or the 46 D? All tried and true at one time. The game is changing. Like its always done. Get with the times gramps. Oh, and Rodgers almost had as many rushing yards as the Cards leading rusher this year (which isn't saying much, but still).
  • Abuse
    hm wrote...
    Kolb
    runs out of the pocket because he had no blocking and he is not a big guy. If he is the best QB we have going into next season the Cardinals need to keep him in the pocket.
  • Abuse
    cardinalpowers wrote...
    I agree....
    but I hope Im wrong. Diehardcard might be right. When they hired this dude, I didnt exactly start looking into to future Superbowl tickets. I just hope I and DHC are wrong.
  • Abuse
    parkerbronc wrote...
    Maybe he's right?
    Seemed to work for the Ravens.
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    It's not a new trend, it's a college trend
    QB option is common in the college ranks, pro's have had trouble considering most of those defenses haven't played that in years. It's nothing more than an adjustment. But make no mistake, the best defense for a running QB is to flatten him when ya get the chance. All these new QB's aren't any better runners than Vick was, and what did that get him? Fix the line, get a QB that knows what to do, but under no circumstances do we invite Skelton back to the team, he's a bum.
    Dale
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