Deion, Simms on Kolb and McNabb
Deion Sanders thinks Kevin Kolb has the toughest job in the NFL this season. Phil Simms does not. The two analysts share their thoughts on the Eagles.
Deion, Simms on Kolb and McNabb
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Deion Sanders thinks Kevin Kolb has the toughest job in the NFL this season.
The NFL Network analyst said so during an interview with Tony Bruno and Harry Mayes on 97.5 The Fanatic.
"He has the toughest job in the NFL this year because, for one, he's replacing McNabb," Sanders said. "You can't replace McNabb. He's filling in for McNabb. And secondly, Mike Vick is behind this man. You know in your cars it says objects in mirror are closer than they appear? The first bad pass he throws, those wonderful, valedictorian-type fans... those wonderful fans are going to be chanting 'Vick, Vick, Vick' on the second play of the game if he throws an errant, bad pass. He has the toughest job in the NFL this year. He really does."
Bruno and Mayes had CBS analyst Phil Simms on and asked him if he agreed with Sanders. He did not, and in this case, served as the voice of reason.
"Andy Reid is not going to have a quick hook with Kevin Kolb," Simms said. "He's going to get more than one chance to make this work. And my guess is Andy Reid's been watching film for three years, he believes it's going to work. And his assessment of how things have gone since he's been coach of the Eagles, it's been pretty good. So they've got a lot of information and they trust what they're doing, and I believe it'll work."
For the record, you may hear a lot of talking heads debate whether Vick will get a chance to take the starting job from Kolb. That's not going to happen. Kolb is the guy, unless he gets injured. His struggles will be viewed as growing pains. The Eagles would not have traded Donovan McNabb if they didn't have confidence in Kolb and didn't view him as the long-term answer. They would not have given him $12.25M guaranteed either.
Simms talked about Kolb and what he expects from the Eagles' new starting QB.
"Andy Reid has proven he knows how to get it done," Simms said. "I think the offensive line is very solid, and of course, they have good skill people, so that's going to help him. And the kid's got talent. I think he's improved greatly in the three years I've watched him since he's come to the NFL."
As for McNabb, Simms expects him to play well in Washington and said the Redskins could be one of this year's surprise teams.
"Some things won't change with Donovan. He's still going to miss throws where we just go 'Oh my gosh. How could you miss that?'" Simms said. "That's going to continue to happen the rest of his career no matter how long he plays. But I think the Shanahans can design plays that really help a quarterback that has the qualities of McNabb. He can move enough, he can get outside the pocket, he has a strong arm, and I think Kyle Shanahan and Mike Shanahan are the best in the NFL, along with Mike Martz, at designing and getting receivers open deep down the field. We're going to see some play-actions and we're going to see him air it out, and I think the whole thing's going to work together pretty well. ...I'm not saying that they're going to be a big-time contender, but they have a chance to be one of the surprise teams of the year."
RANKING THE EAGLES 6TH
The Eagles were the sixth-most successful franchise in the NFL last year, according to rankings by portfolio.com and bizjournals.com.
The Cowboys were the most successful team. The Saints, Colts, Patriots and Jets also ranked ahead of the Birds. The Giants were 12th and the Redskins 13th.
The list was based on two factors: winning games and making money.
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Deion really has no clue what he's talking about.— Tech_Triumph
Sanders sees everything through the same filter.- Amen to both of the above comments. Hate to say skin is involved, but....— rad205
- Amen to both of the above comments. Hate to say skin is involved, but....— rad205
- #1...Deion carries no weight in anything he says....he's a Ft. Myers, FL moron.....Simms is an educated well respected analyst who's quite bright and knows that the franchise and the head coach know what they're doing and won't panic, unlike Deion, which is why Deion isn't running an NFL team.— Mark1npt
- Prime Time's right Kolb aint ready!!!! How many TD's did he throw for or run for on Friday?? Even though he only played three series... He's a lame a fill in like PRIME TIME SAID!!!!— DJ_Bootleggah
- Deion is right on the money when he implies that the majority of Eagle fans aren't too bright. If he's basing his opinion on what gets posted on these message boards, he's correct. There are some real clueless dudes around here.— somertonspartan
- Everything from Prime Slime's mouth is calculated to stir up trouble on another team - usually a NFC East opponent of his former team.— McEagle
- I think it is a fair assessment by Deion. There are fans of the Eagles that do not expect them to miss a beat although they have a first year starter and potentially 5 new starters on defense. This team is rebuilding, not reloading. For corn on the Kolb's sake, the fans better have some sort of patience.— demewill
"those wonderful, valedictorian-type fans..." neon deion using that ol' sarcasm he showcased while holding a bible on the cover of a sports mag, shrugging his shoulders as if saying, "yeah, I have a bible in my hand. how ironic is that?"— bboybeballin- What, I'm going to listen to some guy that was afraid to tackle? No chance in H***!!!— txflyer
- Funny to know that I'm a moron for being an Eagle fan while my neighbor who is Cowboy fan is an objective and intelligent football fan. Whats even funnier is when that Cowboy fan ridicules Eagle fans as being the worst BUT don's a World Series Phillies cap in the off season. No doubt a fair weather scab.— bigphillydad
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- DJ_Bootleggah, you forgot how many more turnovers Kolb had than Vick on Friday....oh wait. Don't blame Kolb for Celek's dropped TD.— CJ84
- my bad on the extra posts. stupid comp.— CJ84
Neon Deion = loser— wylies99- It's hard to take a guy who wears suede purple suits seriously. The guy is more televangelist than analyst. I've been a football fan for 30 years, and that guy is by far my most hated player of all time.— phink
- Deon lets his own prejudices shape his opinion. I love McNabb, but everything I've seen from Kolb so far tells me he is going to be VERY successful. Deon will eat those words, it is only a matter of time.— ChrisM
- Deion Sanders sounding like a clueless dope? shocking. An overwhelming portion of the bird fanbase supports Kolb as the future. He'll be given every chance to work through the expected ups and downs. Vick will be gone after the season. Case closed.— thrilladelf
- Jeez, CJ84! Can you please just hit "Submit" once? So annoying.— phillyinsd
Comment removed.- As opposing teams begin stalking Corn-on-the-Kolb he may simply pop some nice slant passes and butter up the endzone with DeJax, Celek, and the boyz. Sure, he may get salty if things don't pan out or we could be end up covered in caramel in the post season. SWEET! Who knows? Let the games begin baby! I love football!!!— WantToKnow
- As opposing teams begin stalking Corn-on-the-Kolb he may simply pop some nice slant passes and butter up the endzone with DeJax, Celek, and the boyz. Sure, he may get salty if things don't pan out or we could be end up covered in caramel in the post season. SWEET! Who knows? Let the games begin baby! I love football!!!— WantToKnow
- Yeah I like Kolb .. I mean I was furious about the trade at first and I'll miss DMac but business is business and a new era is among us .. I just hope Kolb can come thru for us .. I mean I had my doubts at first, but I bleed green and I have faith in Kolb and the rest of the "young guns" .. I just wish the media wouldnt be so quick to put Kolb on this big pedestal so fast .. He has to show and prove and in Philly its put up or shut up !! Lets get the season on a roll for gosh sakes !! Lets go Kolb, we ridin with u !!— AaronMc
- And Deion is crazy .. One bad pass ? This is football, not the bomb squad .. Take a chill pill man !! Kolb's alright lol— AaronMc
- If the Eagles start the Season 1 and 3, only winning in Detroit what moves do the Eagles make?— Dexter
Simms said: "But I think the Shanahans can design plays that really help a quarterback that has the qualities of McNabb." Interesting that in a decade with McNabb, Reid seldom seemed to be able to do that. Let's see if the Shanahans can. It'll be interesting, and it will say a lot about them, McNabb and especially Reid.- I need the great insight of great minds like "braindawkins", "doodoofresh", and "wolf" and of course "oppressed" and some wanna be followers after reading every article. Now I know why McNabb was booed out of this town by the vocal monority.
- Deion isnt saying anything unsual, of hating on Kolb, take off your blinkers people, rephrase for you, Kolb is replacing the best QB we ever had, anyone following on has a tough enough challenge thats 1, he also has a hungry guy who can play the game (may not be a pocket passer, but that a QB from bygone era) as his number 2: if this was your job, you would feel the pressure. My take on fridays game is kolb looked good although i felt he was apprehensive in playint to make sure he did not get picked, should not be gunshy, just trust the recievers, the Vick fumble was him trying to make a play, tuck that ball in now, the interception was just the rookie reciever playing like a rookie...— jameslaka
hahaha. i guess what dion says makes him a racist. lol. anyway, kolb has to produce or get put on the bench. pretty simple. if kolb is good, then that is great. if kolb is bad, yank him in favor of mike vick. something is telling me that its gonna be a crazy year.- Deion was irrelevant when he played and even more-so now.— Wave1
- Deion is just mad the eagles replaced a black qb with a white one...... typical racist nonsense....vick sucks and always has... and mcnabb is washed up...— kramer65
Kolb did ok Friday. Not outstanding but not ready to hit the panic button. A few of his throws were very good and a few were very suspect. Against a legit D he probably would have had at least 2 picks (in the 1st quarter no less!) But this is just knocking the rust off & getting ready for the season. Let's all hope he takes them to the promised land or gets out of the way for someone who can! Go Eagles!!!— Mabus- How are Saints and Colts considered more powerful than Eagles, based upon wins and money?? Wins, yes (but Eagles are comparable). But I would think Birds would kill them monetarily. Philly market is much bigger than New Orleans and Indy. Dallas and NYC making more $$ than Philly? Yes. But New Orleans and Indy??— RocketC
- DJAX.....stop celebrating and dancing after every reception....you look like a horsesARSE......— philly449
kolb is slob...vick is sick and wolf is **** sheep's clothing...my man.— wolf 4- "Some things won't change with Donovan. He's still going to miss throws where we just go 'Oh my gosh. How could you miss that?'" Simms said. Why don't these national announcers say this during the year when games are being played or when McNabb was here, instead of making excuses for him about the line or receivers, and then to top it off critisize the Eagles fans. They see it, but are afraid to stick their neck out.— watsonmr
- Rad205- Damn right "skin" has something to do it; from the very moment Jim Crow was created AFTER SLAVERY wasn't good enough...so please don't play oppressed white man here; take that to a Tea Party rally....Kolb AIN'T (keep it hood right?) Vick or McNabb as far as accomplishments so you are darn right, OUTSIDE of being GIVEN a job, that Kolb better produce......these are what we call facts Mr. "same filter"........— RoastedBird
- Deion is stupid. Legitimately stupid.— michaelfb68
- Deion seems to think the fans run the Eagles. Yeah, they'll be people yelling for Vick as soon as Kolb throws two picks, but Andy's not going to pull him, and Kolb knows it. He'll get at least 16 games to show what he can do. If Kolb is any kind of football player, he's not thinking about Mcnabb or Vick. He's thinking about reads, blitzes, and "is that Jackson I see down by the hotdog stand all alone."— tacklinjoe
- Simms is like Frank Gifford used to be .....never is heard a discouraging word. The Eagles have "a solid offensive line". Really Phil?— baabyrrej
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