Decisions: Leinart, Jackson and Kolb
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Decisions: Leinart, Jackson and Kolb
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Three NFC teams have made the playoffs the last two years.
And each one faces some kind of decision at quarteback this offseason.
The Eagles have not wavered from the idea that Donovan McNabb will be their starter in 2010.
The Cardinals face perhaps the most difficult decision of the three, assuming Kurt Warner announces his retirement Friday, and sticks with it thereafter.
And the Vikings of course are on Brett Favre-watch for the next several months.
All three teams have young quarterbacks on their rosters -- guys that were drafted in 2006 and 2007, with various levels of NFL experience. The decisions the Cardinals and Vikings make could affect the Eagles' future.
Below is a simple chart comparing where Matt Leinart, Tarvaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb are in their respective careers.
| Age | Drafted | Games started | Record | TDs | INTs | QB rating | |
| Matt Leinart | 26 | 2006: 10th overall | 16 | 7-9 | 14 | 20 | 70.8 |
| Tarvaris Jackson | 26 | 2006: 64th overall | 19 | 10-9 | 21 | 18 | 77.9 |
| Kevin Kolb | 25 | 2007: 36th overall | 2 | 1-1 | 4 | 7 | 68.9 |
Obviously, the Kolb numbers (record, TDs, INTs, QB rating) don't count for much since he's only attempted 130 passes in the NFL. I more wanted to include his age, draft position and games started.
Something else to take into account is the contract situation of each QB.
Leinart is scheduled to make $2.485M in 2010, but that number jumps to $7.36M for the 2011 season. If he plays out those two years, he would become a restricted free agent in 2012.
Jackson is currently a restricted free agent.
And Kolb would become a restricted free agent after next season.
It's an interesting comparison, given the quarterback situation of each of the three teams when the players were drafted.
Leinart obviously had the highest profile. The Cardinals were coming off seven straight losing seasons. Kurt Warner was the starter, but not not the Warner you remember now. He was the Warner that was coming off a disastrous season with the Giants in 2004.
In 2005, Arizona was 2-8 in 10 games with him as the starter, as Warner tossed 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Leinart was given the straight-on "franchise quarterback" label, and it was assumed it would only be a matter of time until he took over. As a rookie, he started 11 games, throwing for 405 yards in a Week 12 matchup against the Vikings. But the next season, he couldn't hold on to the job, suffered a season-ending injury and never won it back.
Now, Arizona will have to decide whether they want to continue to groom Leinart in 2010 or take a shot on a veteran QB who might be more likely to get them to a Super Bowl next season. A tough decision, considering their high talent level at the offensive skill positions and the fact that the Cardinals have won four playoff games the last two seasons.
The Vikings, meanwhile, had tried hard to convince everyone that Jackson is their guy. But that changed when they had a shot at landing Favre last offseason. Their situation is tricky since MInnesota is probably the most Super Bowl-ready of the three. How long will they wait before demanding a decision from Favre? If he retires, will they again hand the keys over to Jackson? Or will they try to acquire another veteran, in the interest of maximizing their potential in 2010?
And finally, the Eagles. They're backing McNabb, but if a team calls, are they at least willing to listen? If there becomes a great need at QB for a handful of teams, and the potential market for McNabb becomes higher than they expected, will that change their stance?
Three franchises. Three decisions at the most important position in football. We'll see if one move affects the others in the next few months.
Sheil, that comparison chart is unfair. Two starts is too little data for the QB rating for Kolb to mean anything. To me Kolb was impressive in his two starts against the Saints and Chiefs. Wake up Sheil! Neither Reid nor Banner have gone to the media to eliminate the doubts about Donovan's future like they did in years past. Remember when Banner went on WIP and said "I can't envision a scenario where Donovan McNabb is not the quarterback next season..." We're not getting anything like that this time around. That should be a clear sign to everyone that McNabb's future with the Eagles is truly uncertain this time around.— soulman386- In addition to a small data sample I would also argue that including Kolb's stats from the Baltimore game in 2008 doesn't necessarily represent his performance as a player. He entered the game at halftime against one of the better defenses in the NFL. He had 2 INTs in that game. Additionally another one of his INTs came in the Saints game in 2009 where Andy had him throw a deep bomb as time expired that was intercepted. I realize that if we pick and choose stats we can make anyone look good but the point is that while we have a clearer picture of Jackson and Leinart I don't think we can say the same about Kolb.— buddyball_77
Comment removed.- Figures lie and Liars figure. Trying to judge a QB on such a small sample size is fruitless.— The Reddgie
- McNabb is the man, has been that for years. The same was true of John Elway before he won two Super Bowls.— billgfc
even though i am not a huge fan of starting kolb over mcnabb, its not fair to compare his stats to Leinart or Jackson. kolb hasnt had the chance of starting a full year yet so its hard to compare numbers- Slants, 3 step drops, timing throws over the middle, serious minded leadership, mix of run and pass, ball control = Kolb. Long and accurate downfield passes, six step drops, big play quick strike offense, light hearted humorous leadership style = McNabb. Who do you want?— JBP
- "Three franchises. Three decisions at the most important position in football." Who says the Eagles have to make any decision this season with McNabb or Kolb? Sure, they have to decide on Vick's option but you didn't mention that anyway as part of this supposed "decision". McNabb and Kolb are both under contract and Kolb will be a restricted free-agent at best so they don't need to anything with either. Find something else to write about for a change. By the way, I'd take Kolb over Leinart or Jackson any day.— JimG
- billgfc, great point. When I think of Donovan McNabb the first person I think of to compare him to is John Elway. Both guys were clutch, and never really had a RB or a defense until late in their careers. (Sarcasm)..get real, dude.— booman55
- zeru: its funny you say that, becasue there is a similar poll on NFL.com that asks "would you want mcnabb as your QB if he was available" and 47 of the 50 states voted yes.. only 3 being NY. dallas and philly... i guess all of you recently jumped on the eagles band wagon, let me take you back to a guy named randall cunnngham, he couldnt win either, he was also a guy that the eagles ran out of town.. becasue we had rodney peete... he was the problem solver.. he also threw for 300 yards his first game against dallas ( i know i was there)... while we finshed the rest of the season 2-14 cunningham went on to win a NFL MVP!!! i do think that mcnabb has his faults and i would love to see a new QB but not a guy that holds the record for most interceptions in the conference USA.. confernece USA is like football for special people.... his own coach at houston openly admits that he had to make a whole shut gun offense for kolb becasue he was not mobile enough to get away from pressure.. and while he is accurate he cant throw the deep ball... so all team will do is play man on the recievers and pull up their safety's... so the run game will be even worse then what it is now (if that is posible).. becareful what you wish for... i would love to see how this city reacts when mcnabb goes to the vikings or cardinals and has a running game and great recivers and wins... this city will burn to the ground... just like when randall won the MVP...— bleed green forever
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- If Kevin Kolb = Aaron Rodgers, does that mean Donovan McNabb = Brett Favre? I'm not making the comparion, simply asking the question.— dgreils
- I'm so sick of the Elway comparisons. Elway CARRIED an average Denver team to 3 superbowls in the 80's and WON two in the 90's. Elway was always a great passer and a leader. McNabb is neither and won't suddenly become one just because "it took John Elway 15 years to win a superbowl". That said the Eagles would only prove they are the most arrogant organization in pro sports if they trade McNabb to EITHER the Cards or the Vikes. You NEVER trade with a team you are in direct competition with unless you are holding them over a barrel ... Hopefully the the fat man and banner have learned from the Anthony Spencer debacle!— jcu123
- lonewolf: you say book it, the same way you said mcnabb was gone two years ago, or even better last year you said mcnabb will be traded bofore the draft, then he would be traded on draft day, then you said kolb would be the strater bu mid season... you know nothing and you are always wrong, and you are wrong again...Book it Mcnabb will be back like it or not!!!! he has made lurie and banner too much money and they will not take a chance that kolb is peete, pederson, or hoying...— bleed green forever
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