Kolb's practice demeanor
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Kolb's practice demeanor
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
It happens at least once a practice: Kevin Kolb will drop back to pass, go through his reads and fire a dyslexic incomplete pass. The Eagles quarterback will then smack the side of his thigh or shake his head or slap his hands together or mutter something out loud that clearly demonstrates his unhappiness.
It hasn't been a common occurrance during team workouts at the NovaCare Complex, although Kolb hasn't had much help from the assortment of rookie and just-trying-to-make-the-team wide receivers he's had to pass to this week. But Kolb's practice demeanor as the starter has been notable for a few reasons.
For one, it stands polar to the way Donovan McNabb conducted himself on the Eagles practice field for over a decade. McNabb was loosey goosey. He smiled a lot. Liked to joke around with his teammates. If he was errant on a pass he would react and motion and yell, but he did it all with a laugh and a grin. Kolb just grits his teeth and stares.
Much could made of this, especially considering how McNabb was often criticized for his mannerisms. The point here isn't to say that one way is better than the other. It's just an observation. McNabb and Kolb have, in many ways, completely different personalities -- both on the field and off.
Interestingly enough, Kolb has already faced some nit-picking about his displays. From his own coach. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg often teaches his quarterbacks to keep their emotions in check and their body language impassive. Kolb, though, isn't apologizing for his ways. (Sound like anyone else?)
“I’ve been that way since the day I was born,” Kolb said earlier this week. “Marty tries to pull me back on that sometimes. But sometimes I think it’s good. He gets me to not show it, but sometimes I think guys in certain times need to see their quarterback get angry and go look, ‘Let’s flip the switch here and get going.’”
Earlier this month at minicamp, coach Andy Reid didn't seem too concerned about Kolb's effusive practice behavior.
"He forgets the last play but he's going to beat himself up over [mistakes]," Reid said. "That's okay, that'll make him good. He's got drive. He is put in a position with great expectations. As long as your expectations are greater than those around you, that's a good thing. He puts pressure on himself and there's nothing wrong with that. You need to be able to do that at that position."
I can see the comments now: "Kolb's a leader! He'll get in the players' faces on the sidelines! All McNabb used to do was sit on the bench with a towel over his head!"
Of course, this theory could gain traction when the team president says something that could be taken as a slight against a certain former Eagles quarterback. On occasion, Joe Banner is interviewed by the team's Web site for a video feature called "From the President's Desk." In the latest offering, the subject of leadership was broached in light of the fact that the Eagles have lost some valuable pieces in that regard over the last two years.
Banner's response: "I think we're at a stronger position, as far as leadership, as we've been. And we've had great leadership here."
Brian Dawkins. Brian Westbrook. Uh, McNabb?
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The Eagles added Daniel Jeremiah to their college scouting department. A former scout for the Browns and Ravens, Jeremiah most recently wrote the blog, "Move The Sticks."
DooDooFresh, you need to find new material.— davew31- TheKolbIntereceptionMachineShow, like DooDooFresh, you need to find new material.— davew31
- Okay, it is given that we are going to lose alot with KK as our quareteback but we should be comforted by his visible reaction that he isn't happy with throwing so many interceptions.— TYMcNabb
Comment removed.- Wait until Kolb starts playing poorly in a real game and starts pouting. Thats just as bad as smiling and blowing it off esp if your teammates react poorly to this kind of reaction. I still like it just as a change however from what were used to. You cant deny that mcnabbs keeping it loose helped in a lot of ways. Lets hope this new style helps more in intense important games.— peteike
- Good leadership isn't a style. Different moments call for being loose or angry or whatever. Peyton Manning is usually intense, but he seems to get a lot out of his team, and he does whatever he thinks the team needs right then. McNabb was all right. Kolb strikes me as a little better, but time will tell.— tacklinjoe
- If memory serves me correctly, Bubby Brister used to be serious on the field too and exclaim when missed passes too. Hardly the mark of greatness. LOL.— bigtime-gmenfan
Only a fool or a deadskin fan would say that. McNabb was never the "heart and soul" of the Iggles, not even close; that was Dawkins. All the posts about how Kolb has such an advantage over McNabb's early years because of the comparison of WRs miss the bigger picture. McNabb had a good running game (DEUCE!), good TE, very good OL, very good Defense, and mostly mediocre WRs. Kolb has very good WRs, good TE, mediocre OL, mediocre running game, and mediocre defense. In addition Reid's gadgety/gimmickey playcalling tendencies were still new and occassionally effective then, now they are tired and totally predictable. Finally the NFC East competition sucked out loud for most of McNabb's tenure while they are much stronger across the board now. Apples and Oranges, but it seems to me Kolb has more of an uphill climb than McNabb ever did as a first year starter.— tornadoh- Comment removed.
- Also a quarterback needs to have that killer instinct. Brady has it. Peyton doesnt really have it. Mcnabb doesnt quite have it neither. Can the Kobb, with his wild pig killing ways in the forests of Texas possess it? Or does Mike Vick growing up in challenging circumstances and at one point in his life snapping vicious Killer Pitbulls necks, have that killer instinct that a truly top competitor must possess? __WE shall See— BooDuhBud
- I'd like to see some pencil-neck loud mouth tell Dawkins to his face that he was soft.— tornadoh
- tornadoh - Well said. Intereception (sp?) - This is a team game. If Donovan was responsible for "carrying" them to being annual contenders, why couldn't he "carry" them through the finish line? If he gets the credit for "carrying" them in the wins, shouldn't he get the blame for "carrying" them to the playoff losses? Was the weight of the big games to much for him to carry? I'm not saying Kolb is the answer, only that the McNabbettes get "carried" away in their defense of #5. He was a good QB, not great.— dgreills
- doodoofresh.....eats doodoo to keep his breath fresh. Maclin is the man, he's going to be big this year, he may even be better than Jackson, but not by much. I hope we see more of a run game this year, this offense is going to kill, as long as the o-line is okay. Just a little worried about center though.— 46 and 2
- *too much for him to carry... My bad.— dgreills
- Comment removed.
