Kolb's practice demeanor
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Kolb's practice demeanor
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
((David Swanson / Staff Photographer))
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?
*********************
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."
Comments (83)
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
- Comment removed.
- 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
- Comment removed.
- 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
- priceless post doodoo. terrible name, great words of wisdom.— loudnproud
- I've always been bothered by this "leadership" and "demeanor" discussion. Brett Favre jokes around, but he's considered "whimsical". McNabb jokes around, and he's characterized as a "clown." That's a blatant double standard. As for Kolb, I'm just glad he's being himself. If his leadership style works, I don't have a problem with it. Unfortunately, Philly folks are so myopic that they can't understand that leaders come in all shapes and sizes.— JayDuce
- Comment removed.
- We have a pouting Peyton with less talent on our hands. If this guy wears his emotions on his sleave like this now whats going to happen when the real bullets begin to fly and their losing games early. Many complained about #5's way of leading but it kept his team mates loose in tight situations which = wins. KK may have his way doing things but showing your opponent or even your teammates too much negative emotions = bad news and a lot of bad tention in the locker room. I remember Pouting Peyton sitting at the end of the bench alienating himself from his team when things did'nt go right, not kool. All the more reason to believe #7 will be starting before the bye.— realtruth
- Iggle fans have a really bad reputation for throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. This guy has not thrown one ball as starter and someone is harping the guy may be intense...the last guy didn't know the word intense. Give the young guy a break, see what he brings home. This year it will surely not be an NFC East Pennant. Get use to it for a year or so then if you are patient enough he should do the job. One real shame is Banner was not shown the door, too. He is screwing with all the players and he doesn't give a rat's behind as long as Lurie continues to fork it over to him. This guy is no great football mind, he is a cheap penny pincher that Ebenezer Scrooge would be proud of. Someday the Ghost of Season's Past will catch up to the sawed off curmudgeon.— drpfs
- I generally agree with Redggie, we need to give Kolb a season to be come his own person and the comparisons to McNabb, positive or negative, are not helpful. If you are an Eagles fan, hopefully, you will let this play out without all the wanton emotions. On another note, we need another nickname than KK. I start it now, I hope, Corn. Just imagine, the land of the Cheesesteak yelling Corn. Work with me people.— WiffleBall
- Sounds like there will be interesting player interaction will happen if this team starts to loose after the 11-5 season. Kolb is a back up QB at this point, a back up who could not beat AJ Feeley :-) DJax, get your mouth ready :-)— Seed
- You know JayDuce you have a point about KK, but only IF it works. And you made a great point about the double standard (I've said that myself) but that will fly right over the heads of most here.— realtruth
- You know....we always have Vic..Kolb has been around for a while..and he needs to fast track...if not put in Vic— joebill
- the only way Vick gets in is if Kolb gets injured, stop talking about it fools— WiffleBall
- Personally I give Kolb no slack because #5 got none and he's been given the advantages McNabb didn't have. (1) 3yrs to sit watch and learn the O vs. 1/2 a seasons. (2)Kolbs been dropped into a situation where he has all the tools laid in his lap vs. the boat load of flunkies #5 had to deal with (minus Chad Lewis, BWest and TO) for 11yrs. The only negative for both is AR and his video game BYU style of playcalling.— realtruth
- Comment removed.
- When someone proves that the emotion bone is connected to the passer rating bone then this piece will be relevant. Until then let me see Kolb-on-the-Cobb in a live game. Don't get me wrong, McNabb was corny (no pun intended) as heck with his big Scooby Doo Hoagie head always cheesing.— WantToKnow
- The intensity and arm waving is good only for the fans. I know many people hate McNabb for his demeanor during games, but there is a reason Marty is telling Kolb not to show his emotions...and it isn't because showing them is what’s best for the team. I'm not trying to knock Kolb here, as a young QB he has to try a few ways before he finds his niche in every aspect of the game, but for all those who automatically take this comparison as a knock on McNabb lets remember everything is perceived as good until the losing begins. I don’t remember this being a huge knock on McNabb until we had repeat losses in the NFC Championship games. And remember how much people nationally and in NY killed Eli for his demeanor and leadership until they won the SB. Now he is praised for those same abilities which haven't changed. All this stuff about Kolb sounds good now, but let’s see how much his teammates and fans like it once we lose a few games.— datbo215
- Realtruth, I agree 1000%. There are so many people here who say they will be fine with taking a step back this season as that is what it takes for a young QB to improve. Although the statement is true, where was that sentiment and logic when McNabb was here?? Remember in 2003 just three years into his role as the full time starter and after 3 winning seasons, and two NFC Championship appearances (with below average talent around him), when we started 0-2 and people booed McNabb off the field against the Pats?? Where was that sentiment and logic then? Kolb has been awarded all of the luxuries everyone pleaded and wished the Eagles would supply McNabb with. McNabb was able to lead the Eagles to an 11-5 record in first full season as a starter (leading the team in Passing and rushing yards that season), and the divisional round of the playoffs without those luxuries. Let’s see what Kolb can do, and let’s not curve his grade.— datbo215
- oh oh...can you say Vick is starting in week 5— phillyfanyo
- DooDooFresh, McNabb doesn't play here anymore. Think you'll ever get over it and drop the air guitar thing or is that all you've got? Lets get behind what's going on with the 2010 Eagles and let the past go because you can't change it.— duke56
- Two different guys, two different personalities, WHO CARES. Just win baby.— craig123
- Come on September! I cannot wait to see what happens just so I can stop the insanity I put myself through by even reading these posts.— Clt Philly Fan
- Comment removed.
- I've done my share of leadership and been trained as well. On the list of attributes of great leaders: #1 Be yourself -- you can't completely adopt another leader's style (so being serious or happy can both work); #2 Results, results, results -- if you execute #2 then #1 works as well. People thought they were annoyed by Donovan because of #1, but they were really annoyed by #2. If he had won a SB no one would care much about his demeanor. If Kolb doesn't win, no one will care much that he gets upset about it.— RocketC
- Kolb will be a bust. No more McNabb to scapegoat for the Eagles' failure. Get ready for a 4-11 season.— josh moneyman
- Just watch demeanor of Payton Manning and Tom Brady. The best QBs are all busienss and don't hesitate to get on a receiver for running a wrong route, etc. And they don't laugh after overthrows or dirt balls. The best guys demand a lot from themselves and the guys around them. If Kolb can execute his end, he has a chance to be the ind of leader on the offense this young team needs.— Z-Force
- the l0:36 post by DooDoo is the best of this article!— jwatson
- The fact is that any type of "in your face" behavior only works when you're winning. If Kolb is out there winning, then no one will have a problem with it. If he's not, players will look at it as if he's embarassing or disrespecting them. In a lot of ways it was the same with Donovan- his silly, lets have some fun appraoch worked because for the most part they were winning. It really comes down to how you think leaders should lead. Should they adapt to the larger framework of their team and be the type of leader the team needs? or should they just be who they are and expect the other guys to follow?— phills5219
- I cant wait for Kolb to win the first 6 straight games,— ian23h
- O he cares how much he throws a tantrum when things dont go his way. If you ask me, that would annoy the fuggin schit outta me just as much bozo smiling after a 3 and out. Anyway, Andy is full of it, Mike Vick will be your Eagles starting Qb.— BooDuhBud
- much a do about nothing,let's wait for the season to start..Brett Favre would joke around with his teammates at the end of games he was Winning,,not during games they are losing ie cowboys games (ex eagles QB),nothing to joke about when your team is losing and the QB is bouncing passes to receivers,,KK is all business on the field and off very intense and focused.....therealtruth your living in a fantasy world-good luck rooting for the Deadskins..wolf.— wolf 4
- PHILLIES 2008, 2009, ??? Say the flyers win it this year... how do the EAGLES react being surrounded by champions?— PHAN2
- "The point here isn't to say that one way is better than the other." Of course it isn't, that would require taking a stand, having some natural testosterone ... wouldn't expect to find that in these alleged journalistic, sports wimpfests .... but so quick to jump on others words, like Joe Banners, when they suit you ... I wish Kolb the best, but pray they have a significant Plan B, and hope it isn't wait for Kafka— AsValidAsYours
- 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.
- Comment removed.
I could care less about his or McNabb's demeanor. He could tap dance in a tutu for all I care as long as they're WINNING! Winning is what I care most about with the Eagles & they did quite a bit of it with McNabb. There's a new starting QB now. If he can't do the job with 3 years under his belt & arguably the best O talent positions in a decade, bring in someone who can. Chumps are already making excuses for why they'll lose games this year. This QB needs to be held to the same standard. If the Eagles aren't even close to making the playoffs I would consider Kolb a bust with the talent around him & his 3 years in the system to learn.— Mabus- Intereception -- Do you remember the 2006 run?? Was that McNabb or Jeff Garcia? I don't recall... Help me out, bud. You know it's a team game? Didn't you say in one of your idiotic posts that he carried the team to being an "ANNUAL CONTENDER"? Come on... So... AGAIN, you want to give him all of the credit for the wins, and absolve him from responsibility for the losses. Whereas, reasonable fans (tornadoh) realize that the blame and credit falls on the TEAM. McNabb deserves credit AND blame.— dgreills
- dgreills, Plenty of blame for the coaches too. My biggest complaint over the last 11 years is that McNabb was not a good fit for Reid's west coast offense and yet he refused to bend even a little to take advantage of McNabb's strengths and mitigate his weaknesses when that reality became apparent to anyone with half a brain (you know who I'm talking about). That and his dopey, predictable playcalling.— tornadoh
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- kOBB said the Eagles are thinking Super Bowl this year! kOBBs been interning for the Eagles for 3 years now with the most offensive weapons the Eagles have had in 30 years. The kOBB gets red faced and fiery when he throws pick 6's in PRACTICE! The kOBB has a arm that can take the wings off a fly! With pin point precision passing and the quick reads he'll make, I just bought my Dom on ice for the Super Bowl 2011 ! ..this is Booduh endorsing BABYARM and I approve this message.LOL— BooDuhBud
- tornadoh - Absolutely. I was including the coaching staff when I referred to the team. The playcalling was balanced during the aforementioned "Garcia run". Reid loved putting his scheme and McNabb's arm on display. Dual blame there - Reid LOVES (obviously) throwing the ball (BYU) and McNabb didn't want to be known as a running QB. McNabb should do well in Shanahan's offense, and I wish him well. As you know, he's NOT a WC QB. That's an indictment of the coaching staff more than it is of McNabb. Reid is very stubborn in thinking his offensive "system" is so great that he can "plug and play" any personnel and it'll work; hence the ignorant belief that Torrance Small, Charles Johnson, Na Brown, Todd Pinkston, Reggie Brown and James Thrash could get the job done. The fact remains that McNabb didn't play well on the biggest stage. The coaching staff, the QB, the O-Line, the defense, and the special teams have ALL earned responsibility for their biggest losses. The common threads in the past decade: Reid AND McNabb. I hope the O-Line and defense take a big step forward to give Kolb some support.— dgreills
- Intereception - No, I don't remember that McNabb was 5-5 that season, while Garcia was 6-2; including consecutive victories in Washington, in New York, and in Dallas. Keep quoting stats.— dgreills
- Hey dgreills, It's really not fair to have a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed.— tornadoh
- Haha. It's too entertaining... 9-7 this year. Flyers in 6. Sixers back in the playoffs at the 7 or 8 seed. I'm done.— dgreills
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- dgreills, IMO AR stifled the growth and complete ability of this team. Bad picks of WRs, misuse of the biggest Oline in the NFL at that time, poor playcalling and time management, etc. The team could have been one of the best if run correctly but as you mention AR is to stubborn to change. For me the majority of the blame lies with him and the FO who were too stubborn to give him the ax but stupid enough to keep paying him for the same insanity year after year. The problem of leadership didn't fall on the QB (as we shall see) but on AR and FO.— realtruth
- aint banner the one said we had the best roster last year . I'm startn' to think he the one need to be replaced cause I see he don't no jack---- about football— bigALtheone
socialphillygayguy...does your brain have a spell check...get a life— tkeagle- I like the way Kolb talks like he is ten year starter instead of a guy who has looked overmatched in actual games. His assessment of Kafka is great, you might actually think Kolb has done something in this league. I think Vick starts by game 5.— UncleStosh
- @DooDoo, I used to be disgusted by you, nowadays I'm just outright concerned for your health. Do you have any friends or family you can talk to? I think you should sit down and have a long talk with them what you feel is wrong with your life, and how you and others can help make it better. I also think, if you have the time, that you should visit a psychiatrist. I really mean it. I think you have to act NOW if you are to have any chance of succeeding in your life. Seeing your comments, I can only say that your symptoms are getting worse, and this posting is actually putting you in a negative spiral. I really hope you will take my advice.— goeagles87
- Andy is full of it, Mike Vick is starting for this team.— BooDuhBud
- 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— JFD
- Kolb will have very sore hands after game 1 when he throws 4 picks......he'll probably break his own wrists.....— philly449
- I don't give a hoot about personality and demeanor. I could care less whether the guy looks and acts like I think a football player should look and act. It's all about results. That is the only thing Kolb will be judged on in the end. We supposedly got rid of McNabb because he couldn't bring a Superbowl trophy home. Well, then Kolb needs to win a Superbowl, anything less than that will be unacceptable. So he's got 3-5 years to win a Superbowl or his time will have to be classified as a failure in the wake of McNabb's performance. McNabb got the team to 5 NFC championship games so just winning games and getting the team to the playoffs won't be good enough.— JimG
- dgreills Intereception - No, I don't remember that McNabb was 5-5 that season, while Garcia was 6-2; including consecutive victories in Washington, in New York, and in Dallas. Keep quoting stats. ------------- I also seem to remember that Garcia, after going 6-2, couldn't get and keep starting job around the league, I wonder why?— anthonyaccurate
1
Popular Posts
About this blog
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
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
