Reid: Donovan is the No. 1 QB
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reid: Donovan is the No. 1 QB
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Don't come here looking for a quarterback controversy. Nope. Not here. Those were the sentiments expressed by Andy Reid today at his day-after press conference.
In light of Kevin Kolb's relief performance in the Eagles' 34-14 win over the Chiefs yesterday, it's become clear that Reid has himself four quarterbacks capable of starting -- Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Jeff Garcia and Kolb. For the Eagles coach, though, this is not a problem, it is a good thing.
"As long as they know their roles," Reid said, "I don't have a problem with that."
Apparently the roles are this: McNabb is the starter, Kolb is the backup, Vick is the wildcard and Garcia is the odd man out. We'll see if they all remain satisfied with those roles.
"Not that they all don't want to start," Reid said. "I won't have a quarterback here that doesn't want to start. That's just not healthy thing to have on your football team. ... But they have to understand the situation here that Donovan is the No. 1 quarterback and we go from there."
As for injuries, Guard Max Jean-Gilles has shoulder inflammation. "He should be fine," Reid said. There were no other injuries from the game.
McNabb, meanwhile, is "making progress" with his fractured rib. "He's on the mend. This will be a good week for him," Reid said referring to the Eagles' upcoming bye.
“He will be working to get the soreness out, the muscles in between the ribs," Reid said. "The tightness in there, get it stretched out. ... He will continue to throw.”
The extra week off will help running back Brian Westbrook and his sprained ankle, Reid said.
LeSean McCoy filled in admirably for Westbrook yesterday, running for 84 yards on 20 carries and scoring a TD. Reid said that the rookie could be mixed into the running back rotation more often once the aging Westbrook returns.
“I think that will take place,” Reid said. “He will rotate in there. I don’t know exactly the rotation that we would do. We would work him in there. ... I want to see how Brian does after this week and where he gets to healthwise. It’s not going to hurt to have LeSean in position where he can get into a game and go and be a solid relief pitcher for Brian. The number of carries, we’ll see how it goes.”
Some suggested last season Reid should have used Correll Buckhalter, his second tailback, more often as a complement to Westbrook. He agreed with that assessment today.
"I should have done it with Buck, obviously," Reid said about sharing carries. "He's up in Denver gaining 100 yards every week. Maybe I should have played him a little more."
A day later, Reid still didn't have a problem with DeSean Jackson's flip into the end zone, even though center Jamaal Jackson said that he did.
"I know with DeSean when I tell him act like you’ve been there," Reid said, "he can tell me he has been there once or twice.”
Guard Todd Herremans will have a scan of his left foot on Thursday. He isn't expected to be back at least until the Washington game on Oct. 26. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis still has inflammation in his knee, Reid said. Quintin Demps still has a hamstring strain. Dimitri Patterson is getting better with the hand fracture.
Reid gave the players the week off. They'll return next Monday to begin preparing for Tampa Bay.
McNabb has atleast two more years to be here. Kolb had a good showing and it will go along way in his development. But I have to let you know...I have seen enough of the wildcat! And of Vick for one down throwing off the offense timming— PhillyFan000- First: i am not a large Vick fan. Second: How about he gets a chance to return to some semblance of physical, emotional and mental normalcy before we have Andy fire him? I am much more intrigued about what he might be able to do in the last four games of the season, rather than the first four. So let's hold off the whining until we can see some tangible results OK?— TBear
- The work has been good for Kolb. goes along way in his development. McNabb is number one and the best chance for a superbowl in the next couple of years. I think he will be going after two more years. Vick and the wildcat is getting on my nerves, it throws the timing of the offense off. Kolbs numbers and game would have been even better without the wildcat going for no yards and now he only has two downs to work with— PhillyFan000
- Thank you CaptMorgan...I could not of said it better myself. Kolb played against a TERRIBLE KC team yesterday... in which the DJack TD pass was behind him and DJack being the BEAST that he is made Kolb look good and then ran for 55 yards for the TD. Not to say Kolb didnt play well and thank him for not making mistakes...but it is Super 5's team and all of the people on their knees in front of Kolb right now will be thankful when we have divisional matchups.— coryreedmiller
Comment removed.- philly10: I also remember McNabb having a good game against the hated cowboys in the last game of the season, and propelling us into the playoffs. I also remember beating the Vikes and Giants on the road in the playoffs. I also remember McNabb throwing for "NEARLY 400 YARDS" against the Cards in the NFCCG. Kolb was really good yesterday, but comparing him to Tom Brady just makes you look like AN IDIOT WHO OVERUSES CAPS LOCK.— PhillyHouse JayDuce
two words, greg lewis.- Vick is not a QB. We can run the wildcat with Jackson. When Vick is in the defense expects him to throw. Something he does not do well.
- McNabb won't finish the season as usual. Kolb is without a doubt the future of the Eagles. Who cares who you play? They are all NFL teams. Ya gotta beat the good ones and the bad ones. McNabb has a problem with that. Hopefully McNabb gets busted up real good and his days will be over. Trade Vick now. He can't pass gas! Kolb is just going to get better and better. CaptMorgan u r just an idiot..— bryky
man, the haters are still out. some of you guys sounds so foolish with the whole "wait until..." scenarios. Good team sblow out lesser teams. Kolb did everything you want a young Qb to do. anyone remember how many starts this kids has had? two. people need to relax.- For all you idiots that think corn on the kolb is going to be the QB of the future for the eagles; then you all was drop on your heads when you was born or both of your parents are brother & sister. Kolb will never became a Pro Bowl QB like McNabb. "Loneidiotwolf has down syndrome."— swendell
- Now he admits he should have used Buckhalter more? It was obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes that Buck had talent, and was a great compliment to Westbrook. How did Reid somehow go 8 years without realizing this? Very strange. Also, why is this news? McNabb is the starter. That's nothing new at all. There's never any doubt about that, regardless of what anyone in the media wants to say.— phillyfan412
- Kolb will be traded, the Eagles are happy to finally get some decent tape on him so he can be traded. D-Jac made the plays, Kolb played a good game but nothing special. The Chiefs are horrible, and McNabb is going now where. Watch he'll retire as a Eagle. Once he gets back Kolb is back to holding the clip board. Those of you Vic haters how can you say he was horrible he missed two passes, better yet he clearly throw the ball away on one of the passes. He has not played enough to determine if he is good or bad. Bottom line this is Donovan's team.— Stanford
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- baabyrrej are you nuts... "They let the real QB of the future, A.J. Feeley, get away" he is only one year younger than DMAC... His carear is almost over and waan't that good eitehr. He even said he doen't want play when he signed in Carolina. He will ride bench and than cut by another team, but he will always have Heather mitts..— bereal1976
