Eagles draft QB Kafka
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles draft QB Kafka
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Waiting is the hardest part, someone once sang before.
(Tom Petty?)
Mike Kafka had to wait almost three seasons before he regained his starting quarterback spot at Northwestern. It should help prepare him for his next venture as a backup quarterback after the Eagles selected him in the fourth round Saturday.
"It was definitely tough, especially as a competitor," Kafka said of sitting behind C.J. Bacher at Northwestern after he lost his spot as a freshman. "You never want to hear the words, 'Be patient.'"
But when Kafka got his chance he shined. In 2008, he stepped in for the injured Bacher and rushed for 217 yards against Minnesota. The following season, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound quarterback was handed the full-time reins and turned in a second-team All-Big Ten season.
Kafka completed 65 percent of his 492 passes for 3,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also ran for 299 yards and eight scores, giving him 891 career rushing yards. He threw an amazing 78 passes in Northwestern's bowl game loss to Auburn.
The Wildcats' offense was based on the West coast and had some similarities to the version the Eagles run.
"That's what the basis of what our offense was around," Kafka said.
The Eagles likely see Kafka as a developmental quarterback, one they can groom behind Kevin Kolb. Michael Vick is currently the backup, but has one year left on his contract. Kafka said that he's ready to learn the system and bide his time.
"That kind of related into my football play," Kakfa said of waiting his turn in college. "Take what they give you, be patient ... chip away and eventually let them make the mistakes."
Kakfa met with Eagles coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach James Urban at the Indianapolis combine in February. Mornhinweg attended his Pro Day.
"Coach Urban, Coach Mornhinweg and Coach Reid all have a great reputation for developing quarterbacks and I'm happy to be part of that group," Kafka said. "And I'll learn as much as I can."
Kafka is a Chicago native, like the former Eagles quarterback he, in some ways, replaced -- Donovan McNabb. Kafka said that he and McNabb are both products of rival Chicago Catholic League schools -- Mount Carmel and St. Rita's.
Kakfa becomes the fifth quarterback Reid has drafted with the Eagles, joining McNabb, Kolb, A.J. Feeley and Delaware product Andy Hall.
Speaking of Vick, here's an interview he did with his hometown newspaper recently. He told the Daily Press that he would be willing to play anywhere for the Eagles. He may have to be satisfied with being Kolb's backup and the occasional "Wildcat."
Nothing but the truth-Another blind McNabb loyalist. Why is it Tom Brady was able to win 3 Super Bowls with that crappy group of WRs and McNabb always gets the "didn't have enough weapons" alibi? Andy Reid has 5 kids and 2 are screwups. Your "drug emporium" statement is idiotic at best and at this point old. His kids were 21 and 23 at the time of their arrest, adults. Do you want to hold parents accountable for what their 21 and up kids do? I don't always agree with his decisions, particularly the pass/run ratio, but attacking the man because of his kids is ridiculous. If you are not a fan anymore why do still read about their draft. Do us all a favor and stay off the bandwagon. Dont's jump back on whent the team starts to win again. Get over it and buy your burgundy and gold #5 jersey. McNabb is done.— OMIGODEAGLES- Agrodave-I amsure if the Raiders drafted him he'd be too horrified to speak to the media.— OMIGODEAGLES
- Let me correct my statement to "Nothing but the truth". McNabb is done playing for a championship. Playoffs maybe, but no SBs and if you think Eagles fans are racist, wait until you get a load of those Virginian Skins fans. They actually still have the Klan.— OMIGODEAGLES
- hodges....let me guess, you probably think Toby Gerhardt can't run in the NFL either. Seems like you are thinking way more about race than the rest of us.— rinkusan
- Ha, we fans are suckers. This team is cutting costs and preparing to be kind of good, while the actual Super Bowl contenders are loading up on skilled veterans.— JonKap
hodges8476 did you miss the fact that we've been cheering for a black QB for most of the last 25 years? We've booed them too but we boo everybody...- hodges8476, what else would you expect of this town? Anyway, looks like they just drafted their future QB, I see Kolb imploding this year and they will let him go by seasons end. Vick will most likely be the starter by the Atlanta game and jwatson will have a cow. Oh well Kolbettes it was fun while it lasted, haaaaaa. What funny is this, like McNabb Michael Kafka is also from Chicago.— realtruth
- OMIGODEAGLES actually the Klan's headquarters were up in in Pennsylvania. As for racism I have been all around the country and across the world I will have to admit that Philly is one of the most racist segregated cities I have ever seen. I'm not going to go into anymore detail than that because it's blatantly obvious as to why. As for Andy's house if that was a player they would have had an indefinite suspension. The man is a professional football coach who job is to pay attention to detail yet he didn't know that his in house kids was slinging dope and using product within his own home? Yeah Riiiiight!— Nothing but the truth
- Kalfka's got a good live arm he "accurate" and he athletic QB, see if your going to get a white QB (hahahaaa) make sure he's good and not Texas corn on the Kolb. Kalf looks as though he's going to be good and it won't take long to develope him the talent is there. Check him out on Youtube, East-West Shrine Game 2010. Now this is a kid that can lead this team now all we need is a new coach and things will be set.— realtruth
- Nothing but the truth, I've said this before Andy should have been let go after that mess if a man cant run his own household how can he manage a football team successfully, plain and simple he can't as we have seen. This team gets a new coach, maybe retained Chilly or possibly hired Shan and things might have been different.— realtruth
- Kolbettes Philly just drafted a REAL QB, let the controversy begin. Remember "Texas Tuff" has no extention on his contract yet, hmmmmm I wonder why.— realtruth
- Cspangler is a tool and a Reid apologist. Outside of the first two picks we drafted our Special teams players and a career backup. Way to really stack with all that talent is the first three rounds
- realtruth and the rest of you losers always complaining and have no clue - are just so tiresome. Kolb is the first and only QB in the history of the NFL to throw for more than 300 yards in his first two starts and you guys are doggin him. Pathetic. I guess you losers didn't notice him hitting receivers in stride for that all inportant YAC. You losers = sooo pathetic— jersey mark
- Ok, good job today (at least as to 3rd string QB); now what is the phone number to Jeff Garcia's agent?— bust6711
- We will be fine with Kobb-as well as with the rest of the offense (presuming that the offensive line is "stable!") Don't worry about Kobb! Worry about the defense!!— bust6711
