TEMPE, ARIZ. (AP) - Whatever the Arizona Cardinals were doing in their pursuit of Kevin Kolb, they were keeping it to themselves.
While other quarterbacks in the NFL found new homes, Kolb remained the property of the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, although there were persistent indications that progress was being made toward finalizing a deal that would send Michael Vick’s backup to the Cardinals for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft pick, probably a second rounder.
Agents for Kolb and Rodgers-Cromartie did not return calls, and the Cardinals’ brain trust remained ensconced in its upstairs offices trying to put together a team, with quarterback at the top of a list of many issues to be addressed.
Any delay in announcing the trade could stem from talks on a long-term contract that Kolb wants with a new team. He has a one-year deal with Philadelphia.
There were a few Cardinal-related developments. Arizona reached an agreement to re-sign punter Ben Graham, and the agent for Steve Breaston said the wide receiver would not re-sign with the Cardinals.
Cardinals players are to report to the team facility in Tempe on Thursday. They are to undergo physicals on Friday, then travel to Flagstaff for a mandatory meeting that evening. The first practice at their Northern Arizona University facility is scheduled for Saturday.
Poor play at quarterback was a major component in the team’s dropoff from two-time NFC West champion to a 5-11 season last year. The team is to release quarterback Derek Anderson on Thursday and coach Ken Whisenhunt has emphasized that the Cardinals are aggressively seeking a veteran at that position.
Kolb has openly talked about his desire to play for Arizona, saying it would be a good fit. The quarterback, who turns 27 next month, has appeared in 19 games, with seven starts in the last two seasons. He has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,082 yards and 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
He began last season as the heir-apparent to Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia, but he went down with a concussion in the opener, losing his job to Vick in the process. Kolb did have a couple of strong performances after that when Vick was hurt. Against Atlanta in Week 6, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
If Kolb signs a new contract as part of a trade with the Cardinals, he wouldn’t be allowed to practice with the team until Aug. 4, the same day any incoming veteran free agents would first be allowed to work out.
Breaston’s departure leaves a void at No. 2 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald.
Breaston caught 187 passes for 2,528 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons with the Cardinals. In Arizona’s Super Bowl season of 2008, he had career highs of 77 catches for 1,006 yards. Bothered by a knee injury much of last season, Breaston caught 47 passes for 718 yards.
Free agent signings can’t be officially announced until Saturday.
The Cardinals also face a serious need on the interior of the offensive line. One starting guard, Alan Faneca, has retired. The other, Deuce Lutui, is an unrestricted free agent. Lutui’s agent, Ken Harris, would only say that talks are ongoing. He would not say if those discussions included Arizona. Starting center Lyle Sendlein also is a free agent.
Arizona reached contract agreements with 21 undrafted rookie free agents.
Among them was Stephen Skelton, a tight end from Fordham, the same school his brother, John, attended. Also agreeing to terms with the Cardinals was Miami safety Jared Campbell, Calais’ brother.
The Cardinals announced their Flagstaff practice schedule. The team’s camp in northern Arizona, at an elevation of 7,000 feet, will run through Aug. 25.
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