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."
Comments (76)
Nothingbutthetruth-where do you get your facts? Fantasyland? The Klan is not HQ'ed in PA. The Klan is in other parts of PA, but not Philly, which would be make more sense for your argument. VA has far more racists than Philly. I've been all over the U.S. as well and have no clue what the hell you're talking about. Here's an idea, stop making things up and go follow your new team the Skins.— OMIGODEAGLES- Hey Hodges, would it please you if we got Daunte Culpepper as the backup.— watsonmr
- Hodges, its totally not true that black QB wouldn't be accepted in Philly. Randall was probably the most popular athlete in Philly during his time and he didn't win squat. Even when he was with the Vikings and they had their run, you would have thought he was still playing for the Eagles with the coverage he got in the Philly media.— J.Bradley
- Kafka is a developmental QB. Perfect fit. Kolb is legit and Vick will be great again. yup great. He is an ideal backup.If you look at Andy's QB track record its hard to doubt him. Only andy hall didn't pan out. Don't forget AJ Feeley won critical games as a BACK UP. then fetched a second rounder. BTW, he is still playing(albeit with the Lambs). Kolb will win a Superbowl, Vick will start somewhere in the next two years , and Kafka will be a great back up until Kolb gets hurt or we ship him for value. Stamp it!— Girth Brooks
- All these jokers calling for Garcia were the same ones dogging him when he threw the pick that knocked Philly out of the playoffs against the Saints, what a joke you clowns.— realtruth
- kimuralock1, who is from the "ghetto" and how do you know? And people get offended when they call this city racist. Walks like a duck talks like a duck, must be a ........— realtruth
- jersey mark, both defenses were ranked 22nd and 26th against the pass, duh, so yeah he threw for 300 and to add to it against the Saints they were playing in a prevent most of the 2nd half. Get a clue.— realtruth
- kafka is the real deal and will be our #2. pack your bags ghetto scum...— kimuralock1
- Kolb is here to stay people - and if he's a dud Marty will go first, then Andy. Vick is trade bait in the next 45 days for an O-lineman or draft pick in 2012. You'll see a safe journeyman QB in by training camp to back up Kolb after he takes one too many LB's in the face. Agree with PTF - wildcat plays were wasted downs last year and everyone knew it. Vick will find love in a new home this season.— DE_sweeper
- I hope we draft a premium CB next year, at slot #32, of course.— CouchKing
Comment removed.- kafka will get a lot of time holding the clipboard..next move jeff garcia in..mike conVick out..Donovan who?????..keep moving 4ward..wolf.— wolf 4
- If Kolb has a bad year? He needs to be at least above average to reap the benefits of trading McNabb and get the most out of the young receivers. The defensive overhaul looks tempting though I'd like to have seen them draft Chris McCoy from Middle Tennessee State. The Tuna down in Miami picked him and we know how Parcells has a good eye for linebackers. OK, mini-camps, interviews and preseason...roll out the balls and PLAY!— AJW2009
- I'm going to echo Christian West's statement as a NU student. Proud day to be an Northwestern Wildcat and Eagles fan.— cormiester
- Kafka HAS to be better then Vick.. Vick is horrible, he cant throw the ball.— Nezhy
- I'll take Garcia over Vick too! Garcia's better.— mmmike22
- 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
- Ok, good job today (at least as to 3rd string QB); now what is the phone number to Jeff Garcia's agent?— bust6711
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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...- 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
- 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
- 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
- Agrodave-I amsure if the Raiders drafted him he'd be too horrified to speak to the media.— OMIGODEAGLES
- 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
- Comment removed.
- OMIGODEAGLES I jumped off the Eagles bandwagon when they traded McNabb once he finally received some offensive help. They have an owner who cheated the city, a GM who cheated the fanbase and a coach who allowed his kids to roam the streets sell drugs from the "drug emporium" known as Andy Reid's house. So yeah I jumped off broke both ankles and I am now a independent looking for a new team.— Nothing but the truth
- I predict a future headline will be: "Eagles coaches impressed by Kafka's metamorphosis."— scribbles
- Kafka -- what an appropriate name for Eagles fans to have to deal with in our Kafqaesque quest for the promised land during the Andy Reid era.— MorbidCuriousity
- Only 9, that is such an ignorant, unfounded statement. I take it your name refers to your IQ.— phillyborn4
- Hey NBADraftroom, comin' from Northwestern, this guy is for sure a wildcat guy!— phillyborn4
- Comment removed.
It is Kafkaesque to see that Kafka is on the Eagles or even mentioned in the same sentence as anything to do with football. I hope he has the proper authorization from the magistrate before reporting to training camp on the instance of Mr Laurie.- The fact that so many so called "fans" just bash everything their favorite team does is sad. I didn't like the moves the Eagles have made either to become one of the youngest teams in the NFL. They filled just about every need in the draft. They stuck to their board and got the players that fit the system. The Eagles wont make the playoffs this year but they will be competetive and I still love my birds.— Phillyphan26
- would have preferred Franz— rossinkrantz
- Mike Kafka awoke one morning after a night of unsettling dreams and found that he had been transformed into a giant Eagle.— J H
- Comment removed.
- A good pick, and he was a potential 3rd rounder.— tacklinjoe
- hodges, garcia has had a better resume than vick. garcia was and still probably is a better quarterback than vick. you don't have to be in the klan to see that vick isn't that good of a quarterback. stop being ig'nant.— eaglesfan in DC
- Comment removed.
- Here starts the QB carroussel :-) Eagles are back to being Tampa Bay of NFL without SB :-)— Seed
- How are all of the idiots out here saying who they should have picked on this board? Shouldn't they be in an NFL war room because they are so smart?— OMIGODEAGLES
- For the 2nd straight year, the braintrust passed over numerous prospects in late rounds who were great fits. Last year - the big RB from Liberty went to Jacksonville in the 7th round and may start this year. This year - M. Tenant, the BC offensive lineman is a versatile guy who can play almost any OL position right away. IT's like they are trying to impress everyone by taking guys who we never heard of.— southendfan
- Dumbest band wagon fans in football? Right here in Philly!!!— OMIGODEAGLES
Would give the Philadelphia Eagles an A in this Years Draft. Eagles will lead the league in sacks next year as well as turnovers. Defense will be very good for a long time.— briandawkins20- like I have said kolb will NOT be in the line-up by mid season either he will be injured or pulled out of the line-up because of interceptions,vick will be the qb.— only 9
- Black QBs not accepted in Philly? Philly has had prominent black QBs for the most part of the past 20 years. I think its more like a white QB can't be accepted by a few haters that post on this site.— Carlos2
- Vick will be the starter by Oct anyway.— mlr710
- Mike Vick is terrible. What I mean by that is the raiders just traded their draft pick for Jason Campbell— CallerNo9
Of all the places to complain about black QB's. The Eagles?— road515- Kolb will be back working at the county fair when my man Kafka is throwing TDs to the young guns...atta baby.— del ravio 100%
- hodges8476-Are you an idiot? First of all, its accepted, not "eccepted". Second, Vick sucks. Its got nothing to do with him being black, he sucks and is a convicted felon at that. The only racist on this board is you. Just because a QB is black doesn't exempt him from criticism. Vick sucks, get over it. He can't read a defense let alone run an offense. He's a running back with a great arm.— OMIGODEAGLES
- By drafting Kafka in the fourth round with still question marks at C and in the OL in general, the Eagles don't think that high of KK as some thought, including the media.— EL Zorro
- this kid can play. used to playing behind an o-line that is being pushed around. doesn't panic. n'western went pretty far with him in charge— stopbooing
- Hey Hodges, Atalnta had the worst rated passing offense in the league in 2006, Mike Vick's last season before jail. He Fits the west coast offense worse than McNabb. It has nothing to do with the Klan.— Klambake
- Comment removed.
- If Kolb has a bad year we'll be drafting a QB again next year. And much earlier than the 4th round— Rick Wise Guy
- jwatson, Jeff Garcia over Mike Vick. How long have you been in the Klan?— hodges8476
- I see some things never change, a black QB will never be eccepted in Philly. Mike Vick has the best resume of all of the QB's yet not only is he behind somebody unproven, but now he's behind somebody whos never taken a NFL snap. Kevin Kolb, don't go home to Texas cause if he gets to much of a tan you guys will want him gone too.— hodges8476
- Wait a minute -- I thought Nate Allen replaced McNabb? That's what you wrote this morning. So how many guys are in this soap opera of yours, anyway?— ahab
- From Philly, I go to Northwestern and we got a steal with Kafka. He's really accurate and has a ton of heart. Every pass with him is on the money. He could be a starter someday.— Chritian West
- Nearly every 'wildcat' play is a wasted down. Might work if used 1-2 times a season...here's hoping the Eagles drop it from the playbook.— PackardTFord
- I am a Northwestern fan, and have watched Kafka a lot. Not a great passer, but he can run, and has some heart. He should be a decent back up.— PhillyfaninChicago
- a good third qb to develop and possibly trade down the line. Looks like a good runner too so could be the wildcat guy next year if Vick leaves— NBAdraftRoom.com
- Michael Kafka hopefully will push Kevin Kolb this summer and overtake Kolb's job midseason.— Nothing but the truth
- great draft by management, got their project QB for future. Now get rid of the left handed KILLER and sign Garcia as the backup QB.— jwatson
- How can they forget AJ?— jtj10
- CSpangler you forgot to mention cliff lee. obviously you are not a real philly fan :)— sasquatches
- Very Good Quaterback that the Eagles will probably keep 2 or 3 years and develop him and then trade him to another team for a 2nd or 3rd Round Pick.— briandawkins20
- Wait...let me get in Negadelphia mode. This guy is horrible cant play and wont ever win a Superbowl. We could have picked someone at a bar to play better. There -- I feel like I am in the club. Next on my checklist is calling the GM and owner cheapskates and "claiming" I am not upping my season tix next yr (even though the Linc is sold out and I am still #1,500 on the tix list). Oh wait and since I am a Phillies fan too I have to pretend that I some how cant root for both the Phils and Birds equally. So in the spirit of some of the worst fans in pro sports -- Go Phillies Boo Eagles. Kakfa welcome to Philly.
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Birds' Eye View is the Inquirer's blog covering all things Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL.
Jeff McLane
Inquirer Staff Writer
Zach Berman
Inquirer Staff Writer
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