Kolb, Bradley don't pass tests; Vick to take first-team reps
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Kolb, Bradley don't pass tests; Vick to take first-team reps
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
Michael Vick will take the first-team snaps in practice today and tomorrow as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's game against Detroit, Andy Reid said today.
Reid would not commit to Friday. "We'll take Friday as it comes," Reid said.
Reid said neither Kevin Kolb nor Stewart Bradley passed the second phase of concussion testing this morning, but both have "made progress" since Monday.
Assuming they pass the second phase, the third phase would be an evaluation by specialist Dr. William Welch, which was to be scheduled for Friday, five days after the concussion. However, Reid said there is no specific time period set.
It would seem unlikely that Kolb would start if he has not had any practice time.
"Right now Kevin is not practicing," Reid said. "Michael Vick is practicing and he’s getting himself ready to play in that game. That’s what I’m focusing in on right now and as far as the football part of it goes. On the medical side of those two players, getting better and going through the rehab that’s available to them.”
As for whether Kolb needed to be reassured that he is the starter, Reid said, Kolb already knew.
"Kevin knows he's the guy," Reid said, but added that he does not want to slight Vick's hard work toward getting back to starting-quality level, or his performance against the Packers. Reid said he expects Vick will be a starter again in the NFL, but that Kolb is the starter for the Eagles.
Reid declined to say whether the Eagles have made any changes to the way they handle concussions in light of Kolb and Stewart Bradley being reinserted into the game.
"Obviously, we go back and look at everything. I feel very comfortable that we followed the protocol that was set forth," Reid said. "I will tell you that the most important thing that happened was that Rick (Burkholder, the head athletic trainer) followed up on it, he didn't just base it off that first, initial evaluation, he came back and he checked on the players ... to see if they had any symptoms, and then the second time he checked, they did, and he made the move right there."
"Obviously, we're evaluating the situation," Reid said, in response to a quote from an NFLPA concussion expert, who said his understanding was that last Sunday's events would result in change by the Eagles. He would not detail any possible changes.
Kolb and Bradley were at the NovaCare Complex this morning, although neither was cleared to sit in on meetings. Should they pass the second phase tomorrow, they could sit in on meetings. Bradley was seen driving away from the complex as reporters were arriving for Reid's news conference.
"They are feeling better," Reid said. "I would tell you Stewart's ahead of Kevin right now, as far as how they feel.I'm going to take this day by day. I'm not gonna tell you they're in or they're out, I'm just going to follow the doctors and the testing that (is) taking place, follow that day by day and we'll cross that bridge down the road, later in the week.*
If Kolb is not cleared to at least back up Sunday at Detroit, Reid said he would go with two quarterbacks, Vick and Mike Kafka, he would not sign a short-term third QB. Omar Gaither will be the starting middle linebacker if Bradley cannot play.
"Whenever you play, you look forward to playing," Gaither said. "Of course I’d rather be out there playing with those guys as opposed to watching, so yeah I’m looking forward to it, looking forward to the opportunity. Maybe if I play well enough I’ll be able to get on the field in some other positions when Stew does come back.”
As expected, Mike McGlynn will start at center in place of the injured Jamaal Jackson. Jackson had surgery Monday to repair a torn triceps tendon.
"You never want to see a guy go down to a season-ending injury, but in the National Football League that happens a lot," McGlynn said. "So, to get the opportunity, that’s exciting for me and I’m really eager to get out there. I feel like I have something to prove. You just want to show the coaches that I’m capable and I can excel at this.”
Newly signed Owen Schmitt will replace Leonard Weaver at fullback. Weaver tore an ACL against Green Bay.
*
Stewart Bradley and Kolb were the only players who did not participate in practice.
Listed as full participants on the Eagles' injury report were DE Antwan Barnes (wrist), RB Mike Bell (toe), DT Brodrick Bunkley (ankle), G Nick Cole (knee), G Todd Herremans (ankle), T Austin Howard (back), DT Trevor Laws (oblique), LB Ernie Sims (wrist, quadricep).
When you add in season-ending injuries to Weaver and Jamaal Jackson, it's amazing that a week ago the Eagles were the only team with no one on their injury report.
*
The Lions confirmed that Shaun Hill will start Sunday at quarterback for injured Matthew Stafford. Stafford injured his shoulder against the Bears.Stafford did not participate in individual drills at practice today.
"The reason we brought him here is for situations like this," coach Jim Schwartz told reporters. "Not only the second half of the opener, but if there was a situation where Matt wasn’t able to play on a Sunday, Shaun can go in. He gives an experienced player, and we have full confidence in him."
Accordingto the Detroit Free Press, middle linebacker DeAndre Levy (groin), safety Louis Delmas (groin) and defensive end Cliff Avril (knee and broken finger) also were not in individual drills.
*
To read our earlier post, click here.
like my boy elijah said we wan Vick! we want Vick! man let this dude do what he do!!!!!— shaad- Enough already with the "back-to-back 300 yards" stat. The only numbers that matter are wins and losses, and Kolb's numbers right now are 1-2. Kolb may very well win us a lot of games in time, but it won't be because he threw for 300 stinkin' yards (for evidence, see last year's New Orleans blow out).— birdseed
- Another case of shoddy reporting by the PNI gang - Kolb is not eligible to practice until he is cleared, which cannot be until Friday at the earliest, because the NFL insists on evaluations on 1, 3 and 5 day intervals, until then, no practice, no work of any kind. The fact that he was symptomatic on Monday rules him out for Sunday, since the NFL demands a minimum one week interval between most recent symptoms and game participation. The notion that Dr. Welch will determine on Friday whether Kolb and Bradley can play is false, it's already been decided by league policy, and Vick will be the starter. Reid thinks by not confirming what the reporters know but somehow refuse to print (Sal Pal aside), that Detroit will be outfoxed by his brilliant deception, and game plan as if Kolb will be in. What the Lions should gameplan is more blown timeouts, more playcalling errors and indecision, more illegal formations, false starts, and the score will take care of itself. If Andy were as confusing to his opponents as he is to his own team, that would be a nice change.— tom c.
Comment removed.- Let Vick QBb the Detroit game. Then, let Kolb start the rest of the games.— Marchmadness
- hey lets not have a chance to win. put kolb in.— coachbarnes10
- "If you're waiting for Kolb to lead you to the promised land, you as bright as that Texas boy is talented." - People in Philly are finally starting to see the light of day, something which I knew before the third preseason game. Try and tell that to the idiot Philly sports writers who apparently have been covering football their whole lives but don't know the FIRST THING ABOUT FOOTBALL and continue to support Kolb: RAY "the fraud" DIDINGER, Les Bowen, Howard Eskin, Paul Domowitch, RICH HOFFMAN, ANTHONY GARGANO and GLEN MACNOW, lonewolf, and John Gonzolez, (yes Gonzo does in fact deserve to be listed after lonewolf, he's that stupid). HEY MORONS, NEWS FLASH, KOLB CAN'T PLAY, and the so called "football experts" continue to throw away their credibility by supporting this stiff who can't throw and certainly can't move. To paraphrase Rich Hoffman: "Kolb has the same mobility at 26 that Donovan has now at 33" LOL, Rich, you are truly a moron.— brmorgen81
- hey mark1npt, you are the guy campaigning for the phils to dump cole hamels earlier. now you want to ban posters for being dumb? let's start the ban with you.— escapedcamden4monterey
- hey mark1npt, you are the guy campaigning for the phils to dump cole hamels earlier. now you want to ban posters for being dumb? let's start the ban with you.— escapedcamden4monterey
- Comment removed.
- Mark1npt so tell us all genius whats wrong with the eagles besides the fact that they ahve a lame duck at QB??? Stop talking about the back to back 300+ yard games that was a complete 12 months ago as of right now its looking like was pure luck??? What has he done since??? What has He done this year??? We are still waiting on the first touch down Pass??? Donnie never took that long to show signs that he is the man!!! Kolb is looking like he took the rest of the spring and summer off once they traded Donnie!!! Your lame just like the rest of those who supported the decision that we needed a change at qb... All Donnie ever did eas lead us to 6 divisiional titles four conference title games and 1 superbowl appearance can't wait to see how far the combo of Reid and Kolb will get us lmfao!!! What a clown....— DJ_Bootleggah
- "Kolb is no QB? Huh? The only QB in NFL history to pass for over 300 yards in his first two pro starts?"
And Sunday he was 5/10 and had 24 yards. Stop living in the past people. I and most of the other fans around here care about this years stats not what he did against a s#itty chiefs D last year— belmontbeauty6 - Vick will lead us to the super bowl... ironically enough beating the falcons in the process!!!! Wohhhhhoooooooooo!!!! Go Vick!— osi is hurt boohoo
- Let's face it, this is a race thing. period. no one is using talent to make an assessment of quarterback.— TheSage
Kolb is not an NFL QB— elijah29
