Kolb, Bradley don't pass tests; Vick to take first-team reps
Michael Vick will take the first-team snaps in practice today and tomorrow as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's game against Detroit, Andy Reid said today.
Kolb, Bradley don't pass tests; Vick to take first-team reps
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
Michael Vick will take the first-team snaps in practice today and tomorrow as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's game against Detroit, Andy Reid said today.
Reid would not commit to Friday. "We'll take Friday as it comes," Reid said.
Reid said neither Kevin Kolb nor Stewart Bradley passed the second phase of concussion testing this morning, but both have "made progress" since Monday.
Assuming they pass the second phase, the third phase would be an evaluation by specialist Dr. William Welch, which was to be scheduled for Friday, five days after the concussion. However, Reid said there is no specific time period set.
It would seem unlikely that Kolb would start if he has not had any practice time.
"Right now Kevin is not practicing," Reid said. "Michael Vick is practicing and he’s getting himself ready to play in that game. That’s what I’m focusing in on right now and as far as the football part of it goes. On the medical side of those two players, getting better and going through the rehab that’s available to them.”
As for whether Kolb needed to be reassured that he is the starter, Reid said, Kolb already knew.
"Kevin knows he's the guy," Reid said, but added that he does not want to slight Vick's hard work toward getting back to starting-quality level, or his performance against the Packers. Reid said he expects Vick will be a starter again in the NFL, but that Kolb is the starter for the Eagles.
Reid declined to say whether the Eagles have made any changes to the way they handle concussions in light of Kolb and Stewart Bradley being reinserted into the game.
"Obviously, we go back and look at everything. I feel very comfortable that we followed the protocol that was set forth," Reid said. "I will tell you that the most important thing that happened was that Rick (Burkholder, the head athletic trainer) followed up on it, he didn't just base it off that first, initial evaluation, he came back and he checked on the players ... to see if they had any symptoms, and then the second time he checked, they did, and he made the move right there."
"Obviously, we're evaluating the situation," Reid said, in response to a quote from an NFLPA concussion expert, who said his understanding was that last Sunday's events would result in change by the Eagles. He would not detail any possible changes.
Kolb and Bradley were at the NovaCare Complex this morning, although neither was cleared to sit in on meetings. Should they pass the second phase tomorrow, they could sit in on meetings. Bradley was seen driving away from the complex as reporters were arriving for Reid's news conference.
"They are feeling better," Reid said. "I would tell you Stewart's ahead of Kevin right now, as far as how they feel.I'm going to take this day by day. I'm not gonna tell you they're in or they're out, I'm just going to follow the doctors and the testing that (is) taking place, follow that day by day and we'll cross that bridge down the road, later in the week.*
If Kolb is not cleared to at least back up Sunday at Detroit, Reid said he would go with two quarterbacks, Vick and Mike Kafka, he would not sign a short-term third QB. Omar Gaither will be the starting middle linebacker if Bradley cannot play.
"Whenever you play, you look forward to playing," Gaither said. "Of course I’d rather be out there playing with those guys as opposed to watching, so yeah I’m looking forward to it, looking forward to the opportunity. Maybe if I play well enough I’ll be able to get on the field in some other positions when Stew does come back.”
As expected, Mike McGlynn will start at center in place of the injured Jamaal Jackson. Jackson had surgery Monday to repair a torn triceps tendon.
"You never want to see a guy go down to a season-ending injury, but in the National Football League that happens a lot," McGlynn said. "So, to get the opportunity, that’s exciting for me and I’m really eager to get out there. I feel like I have something to prove. You just want to show the coaches that I’m capable and I can excel at this.”
Newly signed Owen Schmitt will replace Leonard Weaver at fullback. Weaver tore an ACL against Green Bay.
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Stewart Bradley and Kolb were the only players who did not participate in practice.
Listed as full participants on the Eagles' injury report were DE Antwan Barnes (wrist), RB Mike Bell (toe), DT Brodrick Bunkley (ankle), G Nick Cole (knee), G Todd Herremans (ankle), T Austin Howard (back), DT Trevor Laws (oblique), LB Ernie Sims (wrist, quadricep).
When you add in season-ending injuries to Weaver and Jamaal Jackson, it's amazing that a week ago the Eagles were the only team with no one on their injury report.
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The Lions confirmed that Shaun Hill will start Sunday at quarterback for injured Matthew Stafford. Stafford injured his shoulder against the Bears.Stafford did not participate in individual drills at practice today.
"The reason we brought him here is for situations like this," coach Jim Schwartz told reporters. "Not only the second half of the opener, but if there was a situation where Matt wasn’t able to play on a Sunday, Shaun can go in. He gives an experienced player, and we have full confidence in him."
Accordingto the Detroit Free Press, middle linebacker DeAndre Levy (groin), safety Louis Delmas (groin) and defensive end Cliff Avril (knee and broken finger) also were not in individual drills.
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To read our earlier post, click here.
We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!!— elijah29
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"I feel very comfortable that we followed the protocol," Reid said. "The most important thing that happened was that Rick (Burkholder) followed up." This statement is exactly why Andy is not thought highly of in Philly, as he would otherwise deserve to be. It encapsulates his two big flaws. First he lies all the time. If you don't want to say something negative, say some variation of I'm not going to address that. Don't repeatedly tell obvious lies that an 8 year old fan can see through. Second, just once before you retire, admit you made a mistake. Not "we have to get better" but any variation on we didn't have the right play, gameplan, player, etc. this game. He's still won't admit the trainers made a mistake, even though medical professionals are now unanimous in their judgement that the team was wrong to send Bradley back out so quickly. Sorry, Andy, I have enjoyed watching you for these many years. You are a very good head coahc, but your Nixon-like qualities always come back to haunt you.
— jimmyj- Kolb should play if he's available by game time. He's been running these plays the entire off season and Vick hasn't. We'd be better off with Kolb in there. He knows the plays and he would benefit from the experience.— MikeP
- Can they test Andy. With his play calling, maybe he's been concussed for the last 12 years....time's yours.— Fan74
Comment removed.- This Rick Burkholder was hailed almost as a miracle worker when he was hired- he OKd Jamaal Jackson back to play before he was ready, and failed to keep 2 Eagles off the field after a serious medical problem. Could all of this be the start of Andy's demise?— southphilly42
I expect to see vick starting this sunday.- Andy Reid is determined to prove to the world that he can draft a QB and turn that QB into a Super Bowl champion. Did not work out with Donovan, so now it has to work out with Kevin, or Reid falls short of his destiny, in his mind. The problem is, unimaginative play calling and poor clock management, especially when any "big" game is on the line, will ultimately win out over any true skills Reid has in developing QBs and the Eagles will only ever be an "okay" team under this current regime.— Connectigreg
- I have never been a fan of Kevin Kolb as a die hard bird. Regardless of McNabb's many faults he put the franchise back on the map. When they got rid of 5 and handed the reigns to Kolb I felt regardless of the fact that Mike Vick was better suited for this offense more so because of the many questions we have about the offensive line and you need a scrambling QB to give you a chance with this O-Line. But you traded your franchise QB and put it on the hands of Kolb, the kid needs more then just a half of football to really see if he is the future or not. I much rather have Vick but the Eagles front office knows they would commit franchise suicide by handing the job to Vick. I think into Kevin "Pick Six" Kolb is healthy and has played a handful or maybe the rest of this seasons games we can't make a judgement.— baseballbenchwarmer
- That is a shame....we resally need Bradley.....Kolb, we'll see him agian HE IS Andy's pet project and Andy is Never wrong......The good news....Michael will get reps with the first unit.....and we will get a chnce to see if he the old time Atlanta QB or if he has learned to be a real NFL QB in his two years under Andy, the smartest man in pro football today...— nuggett
- and who is Michaels back up....???? cause the offensive line did not get better this week...— nuggett
- @MikeP ... you're right, we saw a QB who was in distress. The offense "came alive" when Vick went into the game. Granted it's Kolb's first game and he's prob nervous as hell. That's like saying I can drive a car on local roads, but I've never taken it on the highway before.— sdotsen
- Sure Andy has the final say but I think it is MM (Marty) calling the plays. It was proven last year, a balanced attack wins games.— NC Eagle Fan
- What scares me is the medical care they will receive after they retire. If things continue as they are, and our health care system continues to deteriorate because Republicans don't want to let the black President fix it lest he get credit for making sure every American has equal access to healthcare, Kolb and Bradley may never recover from their trauma.— eldiablodelsol2009
- Let's face it. Kolb is a pretty nice guy, but he's no quarterback. I know it's what Coach Reid and most Philly fans would love, but Kolb cannot and should not be leading this team. Did you notice the fear in his eyes? Did you notice how ridiculously inaccurate he is? How awfully imobile he is? He was supposed to be mobile and accurate. Remember how excited everybody was when he posted two 300-yard games last year? Time for us all to get on the Vick bandwagon! Can you imagine how much better off we'd be as Eagles fans if the coach invested all that time and energy on the better passer, scrambler and pressure thinker? Let's move forward not backward!— Slydangity
