All Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt wanted to see from Friday's preseason game in Kansas City was improvement over the first week. Unless you count the fact that quarterback Kevin Kolb stayed healthy, it was hard to find indicators of progress.

The main focus has and will continue to be the quarterback battle between Kolb and John Skelton. Though Whisenhunt said he liked what he saw from each quarterback on their first series, there was little to show for their efforts. Skelton completed just 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards and tossed a sickly looking interception on which he did well to step up in the pocket, but negated that move with a poor read and decision to throw into double coverage.

Kolb was even less productive, completing 1 of 5 passes for 21 yards. He probably should have had two completions but receiver DeMarco Sampson dropped a well-executed back shoulder throw -- the kind of pass that’s become a staple in today’s NFL.

With three games to play, there is still time for one of this pair to grab the reins, but Friday’s 27-17 loss was scored as a pathetic draw. At some point, one of these two must show an ability to run this offense, particularly Kolb, who is being well-paid and cost the Cards a Pro Bowl cornerback (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and a second-round pick.

“We need our quarterback competition to get locked up,” guard Daryn Colledge said. “We’ve got a couple things we need to fix these next three games.”

The defense rests: Before Friday’s game, defensive coordinator Ray Horton expressed concern over his unit’s Week 1 performance in the Hall of Fame Game. It seemed misplaced considering defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and strong safety Adrian Wilson, two captains, missed that loss to the Saints.

But with that pair back in the lineup, the Cardinals defense fared no better against the Chiefs. They tackled poorly for a second straight week, they failed to get off blocks, they got shoved around in the run game and they didn’t post a sack.

The Chiefs rolled up 225 yards of offense in the first half and scored touchdowns on their first two possessions before starting quarterback Matt Cassel and most of the starters took a seat.

There is plenty of work to be done.

Three who improved their stock

1. CB Jamell Fleming: The rookie third-round pick made a terrific read to tackle a Chiefs running back for a loss. He also broke up a pass that ended up being intercepted by safety Rashad Johnson. Fleming is showing the swagger necessary to play the toughest position on defense.

2. WR LaRon Byrd: The rookie free agent caught three passes for 33 yards to help the Cards kick a field goal just before halftime – their only points of the half. He also ran an incorrect route on which coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team could have had a big play, but overall, Whisenhunt was pleased with his showing.

3. QB Ryan Lindley: The rookie quarterback gave Arizona a spark at the end of the half, running the two-minute drill well to help the Cards post a late field goal. He completed six of 11 passes for 48 yards in his effort to unseat Richard Bartel for the No. 3 QB spot.

Three who hurt their stock

1. OLB O’Brien Schofield: The third-year pro from Wisconsin was repeatedly sealed off or driven back in the run game and he was a non-factor in the pass rush. Schofield didn’t record a tackle. The Cards are counting heavily on him to hold down the left side starting position ahead of veteran Clark Haggans. He’s got to show better in the next two weeks.

2. QB Kevin Kolb: As Whisenhunt noted, Kolb’s protection broke down again after his first series –- just like it did in Week 1 -- but Kolb has completed just two passes in two preseason games (nine attempts), he has an interception and he’s been sacked twice. Those are not the numbers of a franchise quarterback.

3. The offensive line: They missed blocking assignments, they allowed seven sacks and they forced Kolb to spend a second straight game on the run. There were changes again on the right side of the line this year, so cohesion will take time, but coach Russ Grimm’s troops haven’t done anything to assuage fears that they are a weak link on this team.

Sitting out: RB Beanie Wells (knee), RB Ryan Williams (knee), ILB Paris Lenon (ankle), DL Nick Eason (family matter), TE Jeff King (PUP – quad), RB Javarris James (abductor), WR Stephen Williams (hamstring), FB Jared Crank (neck), CB Crezdon Butler (hip), LB Zack Nash (ankle).

What's next: The team will travel back to Arizona after a week of practice in Kansas City. The team will resume training camp on Monday in Flagstaff and play host to the Raiders on Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Craig Morgan, follow @CBSSportsNFLARI on Twitter.