Kolb to start; DeSean out
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Kolb to start; DeSean out
Daily News staff
Kevin Kolb will start at quarterback Sunday against Tennessee, coach Andy Reid said today.
Michael Vick, hampered by a rib cartilage injury, will see increased reps in practice and be in a reserve role against the Titans, Reid said. Vick only took reps last Friday with the scout team.
Asked if Kolb can win back the starting job, Reid said he was not thinking about that and that the team is focused on playing Tennessee. He also called "astute" a question about whether, given the team's injury situation, a 5-2 record going into the bye would be about as good as could be hoped.
Kolb was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Atlanta. It is the second time he has won the honor in his five career starts.
DeSean Jackson, who suffered a concussion and other injuries on a big hit by the Falcons' Dunta Robinson, likely will not play, Reid said.
Jackson is experiencing pain in his neck and right shoulder area and has not passed concussion testing.
Reid said the concussion crackdown in the league was "a good thing."
He added that the adjustments to the rules are nothing new. There was a time (in the early 20th century) when football was banned in some places "because people were dying," he said.
Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (elbow) won't practice today but Reid said his elbow is improving. Neither will Jason Peters, coming off surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. Both are likely out this week.
LeSean McCoy, who is playing with a cracked rib, will not practice to rest the injury. Riley Cooper (concussion) will return.
Reid and the Titans' Jeff Fisher are two of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. Reid said they key was to be yourself and be honest with the players.
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Earlier, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said on a conference call that quarterback Vince Young will not practice today, although the team is only holding a light walk-through coming off a Monday night game. He said there was a "pretty good chance" that Young would be able to play against the Eagles.
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As you might expect, the concussion crackdown elicited strong reactions in the locker room, particularly from defensive players.
Corner Ellis Hobbs noted that big hits are "what people want to see. They don't want to go through it themselves, but they want to see it."
Eagles players and coaches have not criticized Robinson, even though the league fined him $50,000.
"It was a big hit, but it was a clean hit," Eagles linebacker Ernie Sims said. "Both players were going full speed. I definitely feel like it was a clean hit."
Overall, "I'm not for it," Sims said of the crackdown. "As a defensive player, those are the type of plays you want to make."
Reid calls a legitimate question stupid? 10 years of head coaching or whatever in the NFL along with the family issues. He has to be wearing down. His recent attempts at comedy during news conferences is alarming— drenner- well looneytune you should at least know that a QB throws that ball and a running back doesn't.— EaglesBleedMoney
- Honest with the players, not so honest, or at least not so forthcoming with the media. The players are the ones that have to follow him. That part appears to be working. Read Domo's article on the QB situation. I think he nails it.
- It was a stupid question. Kolb started last week and he's starting this week. Looks like he is our starter. What to do when Vick gets healthy need not be decided now.— pj katauskas
Comment removed.- Imallaboutdatruth: The real question is - Why do you keep showing up? You know nothing about anything, so why bother - Loser.— jjthree
- Why not Vick in for 10? End around with an option to pass? Direct snaps? If he can run a few routes that would shock the Titans' 'D' too. Sunday they confused Atlanta with some stuff that they weren't prepped for. Titans will not set up for Vick in the slot. Jeremy could have a huge day as they would be distracted away from him.— jjthree
- "I didn't know a rib cartilage injury was worse than a broken rib." - I haven't had either, but from everything I've heard, the pain in a cartilage separation is FAR worse. Your rib cage is not particularly flexible, since it's made out of bones, so there's cartilage in between the ribs that allow it to flex when you breathe deeply or move your torso. When you break a rib, the pain in the surrounding area is basically just from any tissue damage done if the rib displaces briefly when it breaks, but a cartilage tear or separation means pain every time you take a breath, or twist your torso (think about a QB's throwing motion). So it's not surprising to see Shady playing with some extra protection to avoid making the crack worse, while Vick can't be as effective as they'd want him to be with the cartilage tear.— JLB
- GO KOLB GO REID GO EAGLES!!!!— first down
- Truth you need to change your name dude. You would not know the truth if you fell over it and to quote the movies "you can't handle the truth." Ye go Kolb. Two offensive player of the week awards in five starts? AWESOME!— obergruber
- I'm still not buying the Korn Kolb t-shirt..just yet!— Marchmadness
- Comment removed.
- You all must not be listening close. Andy didn't say the question was "stupid", he said "astute". And for you who may need a dictionary, I'll do you the favor - Astute: of keen penetration or discernment; sagacious: an astute analysis.
Les and Paul - I usually like your analysis, (unlike your colleague Boozo), but get your facts straight before you post.— pflipper - I have Desean on my ffl, there goes my winning streak....— 215girl
- Reid said to be honest with the players-----LIAR, LIAR, big fat A## PANTS ON FIRE !!!!!— jwatson
