Kolb to start Sunday
Kevin Kolb will start against the Cowboys Sunday, according to team sources. Kolb wouldn't confirm, but said he is approaching the week as the starter.
Kolb to start Sunday
Jonathan Tamari and Jeff McLane
Kevin Kolb will start against the Cowboys Sunday, according to team sources.
Publicly, the team wouldn't commit, but Kolb said he took the first team repetitions in the morning walk through. With only two days of practice before Sunday's game, that's a pretty good indication that Kolb will be starting in place of Michael Vick, who has a bruised quad and could probably use the rest.
"I’m just preparing like I’m going to be (starting) and that way I’m ready to go if that’s what’s called," Kolb said.
After the loss Tuesday, Kolb and several coaches said they need to clean up the "details" of how they play.
"Really we're just missing by a hair here and there, but that’s the difference between winning and losing football games," Kolb said.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Andy Reid typically makes his decisions on who starts late in the week. Asked about his team's trouble protecting Vick Tuesday, Mornhinweg said there were a variety of problems including the line getting fooled by blitz disguises and blockers getting beat one-on-one. While protection starts with the offensive line, Mornhinweg said responsibility spreads throughout the offense.
"We’ve got to a better job across the board and it was not any one thing," Mornhinweg said.
**********
On defense, Ernie Sims remains the starting weak side linebacker, said defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. He said the team hasn't decided yet whether Dimitri Patterson or Joselio Hanson will start at right cornerback this week.
Akeem Jordan filled in for Sims in nickel situations Tuesday night.
Asked about changing his line up this late, McDermott said, "it has always been and always will be to put our players in a position to succeed and have the best players out there in those situation. If i feel like one defender is a better run defender, then I'll have that defender on the field when I feel that they're going to run the football, and the same goes in the passing game."
Patterson said he has to remain confident and accept whatever decision the coaches make. Hanson has often said he would like to start.
***********
The Eagles signed defensive end Bobby McCray Thursday and released Derrick Burgess. McCray was released by the Saints before the season. He played 12 games for the Saints in 2009 and had 1.5 sacks.
Burgess played sparingly Tuesday night.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here. On sale for the rest of the season for just $0.99!
- False--Vick wanted to play with the Carolina Panthers not the Eagles but no way would they have him!
— RRynalds - Well you certainly weren't "blessed" w/ any perception of reality if you think the hippies out in SF would be more accepting of Vick than the Eagles fans and the city of Philadelphia have been. Also, McNabb brought this city many NFC East titles, so don't act like Vick is some kind of savior for doing the same when the offense he has is much more talented than any of the ones McNabb played with (except for '04 w/ TO and Westbrook). — MaC130
- Of course you're accepting of him, because he's played well. If he was on another team, or playing terribly, you'd be playing the dog killer card too. Don't kid yourself. And really, Vick isn't another reason to hate on some of the Philly fans. Haven't some of the Philly fans done enough to bring on that venom? — Hoog
- Nice chance for Kolb to be showcased for potential trade partners, but if all the starters are rested, who will he have to throw to? The starting wideouts would be Riley Cooper and Chad Hall.— SteveS11
- Paterson needs to go.........he stinks and that is a compliment on the way he has played.....but then Andy selected this awlful 3 tier talent......after Asante, Bradley and the rookie, the rest are journeymen at best...— nuggett
Where's wolf with the predictions that Vick will be traded by halftime because Kolb will make Montana look like a footnote in history? I could use a laugh. On the downside though, he'll copy/paste it on every article— Mabus- Check Les Bowen's article Mabus if you want a good chuckle. Did you know we have a QB controversy on the Eagles? Well, at least in wiff's mind...and I use the term loosely. Surprised he didn't copy/paste it here too. The lad is getting lazy...or maybe he's busy cleaning his floor space at the corner bar so he can pass out on a clean spot tomorrow night?
— tpizza - manus,sorry but i will not be able to attend the conVick MVP party-LOL..in the last six games conVick has 12 turnovers and 6 dropped ints,he's reverting back to his old Atlanta ways..thank God the BIRDS did not give him a new contract..he had a career year but that happens alot with free agents,if he cannot get this team past the first round it's was not worth the promo tour the NFL hyped all season..now i have to take my dog ppizza for a walk come on ppizza..LOL......wolf. — wolf 4
Sitting Vick was a foregone conclusion. He needs to rest up for this playoff run, he has taken a beating. (looking forward to seeing my man, Kevin Kolb play anyways) "However! However!", unless they're nursing injuries, (ie., DJax, Asante, and any other player), then start the starters. The O line still needs to develop some kind of consistency due to all of the shuffling w/ injured bodies this season. The D is young, and has yet to establish themselves as a playoff ready defense. Give them this game to try and gain some momentum going into the playoffs, they're gonna need it. (Oh, Cole could use the rest as well. The man has gone full bore on just about every defensive snap this year)...despite the clunker on Tuesday, I still like our chances, and will go on record to say- I guarantee the Eagles win the Wildcard Round at the Linc. Look for a lot of Shady in that game, and possibly MM calling the no-huddle early and often. This is still the same offense that can put up points on ANY defense in the league. AND, I might be among the minority amongst the fans, but I have faith in McDermott to come up w/ the right scheme to at least hold the opposing offense to less points then 'The Young Guns'. we'll see we'll see. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!- This actually helps the Eagles a lot; with the Eagles line, Vick could go down at anytime once the playoffs start, get Kolb some reps so he is ready to go in on a moment's notice, Vick has been getting DESTROYED this year, every hit he takes could be the one that knocks him out of the game, I wince every time I see a defender bearing down on him unblocked.— cgrant
- Kolb---Harrison/Buckley/Hall---Avant---Cooper---Harbor.— Romus
- Sorry for the typo but I refer to Vick. This to me is a classic example of better play through chemistry.
We should all look at VICK as just another ball player and not some cure for the team. They have a huge number of holes to fill and he is just a piece of the puzzle and a time bomb waiting to go off. If the team trades anyone it should be VICK. His personality and history are too fluid to trust.— JIM IAQUINTO - Hey Ferrel we had to rest Vick and put in our hog killer instead. I'm sure those wild pigs don't mind getting stabbed in the heart with a 12" knife. Go eat a big steak and imagine you're not a hypocrite.— brs50
- ...if only mcreid had the stones and the brain todo this early 4th vs minn. you'd have the 11-4 record. kolb gets the rust off,kolb showcases for his possible departure, eagles still alive for 1st round bye, kolb beats s mcgee regardles. and a battered and awful vick gets a min 12 days or so rest and maybe longer with a bye.
- Kolb should be the only backup playing in this game. The starters dont deserve rest for their pathetic performance.— phillystrome
