Kolb ignites Eagles and QB controversy
Eagles 31, Falcons 17
Kolb ignites Eagles and QB controversy
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Gentlemen, start your quarterback controversies.
Kevin Kolb has played his way back into a conversation that Eagles coach Andy Reid is clearly uncomfortable having. Just as Michael Vick played well when Kolb got hurt, Kolb now has played well while Vick was hurt. And after this one, after a 31-17 win over an Atlanta Falcons team that arrived at Lincoln Financial Field as one of the top teams in the NFC, well, it will take all of Reid's considerable experience to keep the Vick-Kolb conundrum from consuming his locker room in the same way that it is likely to consume the fan base.
Kolb was very good against the Falcons: 23 for 29 for 326 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. His quarterback rating was 133.6. He has gotten better with every game this season, and that is undeniable. Why Reid decided to throw away his off-season game plan and switch to Vick as his starter remains the story of the season. Whether or not he could possibly switch back to Kolb when Vick is recovered from his cracked rib cartilage -- perhaps as soon as next Sunday at Tennessee -- figures to be the subject of an intense debate in the coming hours and days.
As will this: when might wide receiver DeSean Jackson be back?
On the second play of the second quarter, Jackson was illegally jacked up by the Falcons' Dunta Robinson. Kolb, under pressure, floated a pass out to Jackson on the left side. He caught it, landed on one foot, and then was about to land his first definitive stride when Robinson hit him about chin-high with his helmet. (Robinson received a penalty for hitting Jackson while defenseless.)
Both players collapsed and remained on the field for several minutes before walking to their respective dressing rooms with assistance. Both were described as having head injuries. There was no specific mention of a concussion, but it is fair to wonder when that announcement might be coming.
This was the first game this year where Kolb and Jackson were able to connect as they did in Kolb's two starts last year. When he left the game, Jackson already had a 34-yard receiving touchdown and a 31-yard rushing touchdown. Now, though, it is hard to predict when he might be back.
As for the Eagles' defense, for the second week in a row, it has accomplished Job 1: preventing the opposing running game from dominating. Last week in San Francisco, it was Frank Gore. Against Atlanta, it was Michael Turner. He was the concern and he did not come close to being a major problem: 15 carries, 45 yards, no big deal.
And so, the Eagles are suddenly 4-2, which is about as good as it gets in the NFC in 2010.
Vote: Grade the Eagles' performance
KK played awesome. It's a shame that the Eagles look at the color of a man's skin over a man's ability to choose their starting QB. Kevin, you were great, but on this team your role as a starting QB will be short lived. Vick unfortunately, will get the job back.- Release Vick— phillydude
- So because Kolb won a game against a team that looked just terrible that now makes him a bette QB than Vick.............................yeah right.— charmaine
- Father of the Year Andy Reid, the Dog killer, and baby arm Kolb will finish 7-9 this year. Arrognat Reid jumped the shark 4 years ago.— Dr. Michael
- Kolb did what a good backup quarterback does. When the starter gets hurt, the backup comes through.— Gold
- Where are all the McNabb lovers now? lol.— jacka123
Didn't get to see the DJax play but Kolb had a tendency to lead receivers into head ons last year and a few times earlier this year too. It was a criticism of mine then and it has to be corrected. Other than that possible problem good game all around from the coaches on down. And I think the EAGLES beat the Falcons, not one guy. Best team in NFC? Hardly. Better than any opponent Kolb has played to date, yes. Best team in NFC? No. And the best team in the NFC isn't saying much either.— tpizza- As far as the Falcons being a bad 4-1 team, or played so badly, c'mon. There is no such thing as a bad 4-1 team. the eagles played well. We seem to want to underrate every good team we play, like some kind of sick inferiority complex. Huge win. Possible season changer.
GREAT Game by Kolb! Very proud of the guy for handling all the adversity (not self-imposed) he's faced this year with dignity and class. If there was a model for leadership, it is #4- Lurie would be crazy not to install this guy to lead us for the next 8 years- he will only get better.— kjuggs77- So we have another great, well-thought out decision by Andy Reid blow up in his face. Is it just me or has he steadily gotten dumber since 2004?— Phils_World_Champs
- Christ, plus SHUT UP already with the quarterback controversy— jibberjabber
- @jacka123 right here idiot, When Kolb surpasses what McNabb did here with little or no talent then I will give him full praise but right now he's still a work in progress and really nothing to shout about. Plus he has the talent around him so his job should come much easier than McNabb.— realtruth
- Well tpizza, if you're so down on a team that was 4-1 going into today and had one of the higher ranked defenses in the league (currently ranked higher than any other team we've faced this season), what exactly will it take for you to be happy with Kolb? Or will you continue to marginalize Kolb's performances the same way that many Vick haters tried to marginalize his performances in his two wins?— Ltown215
- It's only a QB controversy if the media says so. Hoffman just couldn't wait to get it rolling.
- The Falcons are not the best team in the NFC. Just because commentators say so does not make it true. I'm not sure if they are even a playoff team. The beat the Saints and thats it. Kolb had a very good game, but please do not assume the first half against the Packers was a fluke. Besides we want championships around here right? Thats what was screamed the past 11 years. They other QB beat good/bad and teams in regular season too...— BakerMan
