The Kolb-Vick Situation

Vick rejuvenated? - After doing the unthinkable this past offseason by trading away Donovan McNabb who spent 10-years at the helm of the Eagles Quarterback position, Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid thought for sure he struck gold with back-up QB Kevin Kolb. After filling in for the injured McNabb in two games last season, Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 300 yards in each of his first two career starts. But in his debut as the Eagles number one QB, Kolb was anything but golden. Surviving only two quarters in the Eagles 2010 season opener at home against the highly favored Green Bay Packers, Kolb finished with only 24 passing yards on 5 of 10 passing attempts before sustaining a concussion after being tackled from behind by Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews.

Not only did the injury mean Kolb would sit out the rest of the game, but it also meant back-up QB Michael Vick would get a shot. While filling in for Kolb during the second half, Vick amassed 175 passing yards along with a touchdown. The Eagles eventually lost the game by a score of 27-20. Although Vick looked good passing the ball, his biggest impression was how he ran with the ball, including a 31-yard run that led to a touchdown several plays later. But with all the contributions in week 1, coach Reid still wasn't convinced Vick was ready to take over the starting job. In an interview that followed just days after the loss, Reid made it clear that Kolb was still the man despite being benched for week 2 for precautionary reasons. With all eyes on Vick in week 2, he proved week 1 was no fluke by answering with another stellar performance, compiling 284 passing yards and throwing for 2 touchdowns to defeat the Detroit Lions, 35-32.

Once again, Reid wasn't convinced as Vick was scheduled to return back to the bench in favor of Kolb. When first receiving the news, I began brainstorming what Vick had to do in order to earn both the starting job and the trust of coach Reid. I was also beginning to think he and Kolb had a thing for one another. Finally the sun came out of the clouds as coach Reid reconsidered his decision and decided Vick will be the starter for week 3 this Sunday at Jacksonville. The reversal of Reid's decision comes less than 24 hours after telling the media that Kolb was still the starter despite Vick leading the Eagles to their first victory of the year. Last season, Kolb won both the starting job and Reid over by having two good games when filling in for McNabb. So now that Vick has done the same, it's only fair that he remains the starter at least until he has a bad game. It's also uncertain if Kolb is 100% healthy, therefore Vick starting another game makes all the sense in the world.

With all the issues that have surrounded the Eagles and the QB situation, is it too early for the Eagles front-office to begin kicking themselves for getting rid of McNabb and trading him within the division? Some believe so now that Vick has stepped it up. Whether or not you're included in that list of believers, rumor has it that trade talks regarding Kolb are beginning to surface. But is it a bad time to jump the gun and trade away the QB Philly dished an extension to this past offseason? There's way too many question marks regarding the Eagles future at the quarterback position and with Vick scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this season, it's unlikely the Eagles will commit to bring him back next year if they can barely trust him to start now. Not to mention he'll be looking for a lucrative contract that assures him the starting job. Trading away Vick in place of Kolb would sound a bit more rational considering his value is high at the moment, but has he truly earned the starting role or has he just been fortunate to have played 6 quarters against questionable defenses?

Could Don be Gone?

McNabb out, Kolb in? - For whatever reason, the Philadelphia Eagles have built a reputation for having more than one decent player at the quarterback position at the same time. Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb all seen playing time on the field last season and could all fill a starting role if needed. And after planning to keep all three, the Eagles have begun to at least listen to offers for their over populated QB position, including their most prized possession -- Donovan McNabb. Over the past year or two, McNabb has been rumored to trades, but the organization along with coach Andy Reid have made it clear that those rumors remained just that. But 10 years with the franchise and no rings to show for, talks regarding a trade are once again brewing.

This past Wednesday at the owners meeting, Eagles head coach Andy Reid touched on the subject by saying, "I'm currently listening to offers, I'm not saying we're doing anything, but we're keeping our ears open." Immediately as the news broke, the St. Louis Rams were rumored to be a possible suitor for the 6-time Pro Bowl QB. But with the first overall pick in this year's draft, Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford seems to be the man on St. Louis' wish list. As far as best fits go, ESPN's NFL Live believes another team in the NFC West would be the perfect destination for McNabb, the Arizona Cardinals. The man himself however, says if he were to be dealt, he would prefer playing as a Minnesota Viking which creates some more drama. Would the Vikings choose the a 33-year old McNabb over a 40-year old Brett Favre?

With the world not knowing what his next move might be and an unsure veteran in Brett Favre, depending on whether the Vikings are willing to wait for his decision, patience might be the key in this situation. Minnesota head coach Brad Childress, however, said he would give Favre as much time as he needed to make up his mind. Last season saw the 3-time NFL MVP return for his 18th year, as late as August 18th, less than a month before the start of the regular season. But if they plan to keep their word and wait for the never aging Brett Favre, McNabb may be off the market by the time his decision is made. Eagles back-up QB Kevin Kolb seen some brief action as the starter last year when McNabb went down with an injury. Despite a 1-1 record, Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 300 yards in each of his first two career starts. As for Michael Vick, well I'm sure you know about him by now.

Other possible destinations for McNabb, are the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals. All of which are unsure of who the starting quarterback will be come the start of the 2010-2011 NFL season. Could this be the end of the McNabb era in Philly?

Cream of the Crop x Kevin Kolb

With Donovan McNabb out after the first week for the Philadelphia Eagles, it seemed like the next 2 weeks without him were going to be dreadful. Instead, the team has done quite well with their backup Kevin Kolb filling the void. In his first start against the New Orleans Saints, Kolb threw for 391 yards, despite losing the game 22-48. Week 3 however was a different story. Kolb again threw for over 300 yards, tallying up a total of 327 yards to go along with 2 touchdowns, in route of beating the Kansas City Chiefs 34-14.

Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two career starts. But in spite of all that, he'll have to return to the bench with McNabb set to return after Philadelphia's BYE week in week 4. Talk about a hard way to return the sidelines. But at least Eagles head coach Andy Reid will know who to call on if McNabb's fragile ribs happen to bother him again. After their BYE this week, McNabb will be expected to start at home against Tampa Bay.