Kolb's practice demeanor
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.
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."
Talk to me after the upcoming season. Then we'll know who Kolb really is.— southern eagle fan
1st let me say that I liked #5, but I am glad we will be moving on. Secondly, Kolb's demeanor can most likely be attributed to the fact that he knows that he is now the Man and he has to step up. I've been watching McNabb since day 1 and I don't remember him joking or smiling during his rookie camp or the 2000 minicamp/OTAs, only after he was about a 5th year starting veteran QB (as soon as they signed TO). I, for one, really appreciate Kolb's intensity after so many years of just watching McNabb (I never doubted #5's dedication, it's just he took giving off a relaxed/calm demeanor to such an extreme that people think he didn't take the game seriously). I just wish that more people would give Kolb a chance instead of automatically dismissing the guy...Andy Reid has yet to fail with ANY QB he's had here in Philly, and for that, AR deserves the benefit of patience from the #4 haters. Kolb just has to keep himself in check emotionally so he doesn't beat himself out there. Face it- it was just time for a change.— kjuggs77
Comment removed.- "Occurance." Really? Does your computer not have spellcheck? This is disgraceful.— socalphillyguy
- Nothing happens in July. Let's wait until September.— ColombianEagle
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- kolb has done nothing as of yet, who cares about what his demeanor is on the practice field in may. Let's see how his demeanor is after getting hit hard by the cowboy's,giants or redskins..again m. vick will be the QB at or before mid-season.— only 9
- What are you trying to say McLane? No more air guitar or moonwalking? I'll miss that.— jtj06
- Marty, shutty!— mccloudmj
- McNabb's constant joking around, particularly in big games was annoying. Winning is serious business and fun is a by product of winning.... seemes like McNabb always wanted to have fun first almost like a little kid. If Kolb is more serious this is a great sign.— anthemra
- Let's give KK a chance to show his stuff, both from a performance perspective and as the leader of this young team, for an ENTIRE YEAR before we start comparing his demeanor to 5's, not a few OTA's. (Quick aside, for the KK backers who will think I am not backing him with this post, I'm on the record with he will be great in this offense and will be a great team leader, so read on) The fans are sure to love the arm waving and yelling that results from a overdose of KK's demonstrative passion for success, but let's see if the rest of the team is as receptive to it. While the fans would rank the level of irritation 5 was responsible for with his grinning and laughing, quasi-clown routine (especially after a 3 and out!) somewhere between sand in the crotch of your board shorts and standing in line at the DMV, it was generally perceived by most of the media that most of his teammates loved him and how "loosey-goosey" he was, especially in the huddle, and especially when he was mocking Andy Reid. It is hard to argue with the guys who were in the locker room (especially if you were not, and yes, I am looking at you wolf 4), and generally they all agreed that 5 was a great leader. Just cause he did it different than how it seems KK is going to lead, doesn't mean it was less effective. Yeah.— The Reddgie
- I agree with most let's see what he does in a game... He could be looked at as a crybaby or a leader games will tell— BBAX
- Practice? We're talking about practice. Practice?— AreaMan
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- I wish this team nothing but the best, even though all my favorite players are all gone, and will root for them with the same passion as always. However, as a warning, just wait till Kolb gnashes his teeth and gets in DJax face after a mistake...there could be fireworks. It'd be interesting to see...— sf1027
