Kevin Kolb Wants to Start

While Donovan is off celebrating birthdays and having babies, forces constantly conspire all around him, in the media, among fans, and quite possibly in the Eagles front office.  He is certainly aware there are many predicting this is his last season in Philly (for the second year in a row actually), and an increasing number of people wouldn't mind if the team moved in another direction.

People like Kevin Kolb.  In a somewhat surprising admission, Kolb admits he is unhappy McNabb was named the starter after the Ravens fiasco.

"I talked to Coach Reid the next morning in his office and I was upset," Kolb said. "I want to be the guy, and I think I can be, but at the same time, I respected his decision, and it has turned out pretty good so far."

Asked if there was a difference between respecting Reid's decision and agreeing with it, Kolb said, "A little bit, sure. I wanted to start. Of course."

Deep down we all know the guy wants to play, and that's not a bad thing at all, but there seems to be almost an expectation of sorts that he should be the starter, that Donovan finally lost his opportunity when he was benched in Baltimore.  Maybe it's nothing, just innocent comments from another highly competitive athlete who wants to prove he can play.  Love him or hate him though, McNabb has been the starting quarterback for nearly a decade, and he's not out the door yet.  Should his backup really be the person who gives him the final shove?

"From one aspect, it was tough to watch, but I am glad we got the 'W'" Kolb said. "Donovan deserves a lot of respect and deserves his time, but like I've said, I feel confident I can be the guy, and I'm looking forward to being that."

Comments

[DLo34]

A sense of entitlement rarely breeds motivation.

-Me

[chris]

i am afraid that Kolb will suck and the franchise is srewed!

[ryan]

don't we want a guy who wants to start? Wouldn't this be more disappointing if he said he wanted to be a career backup?

[Pete D]

Funnier backup QB facial hair: Kolb's cheesedick mustache or Koy's neck beard? Debatable.

[Jeffrey]

I never understood the blind faith a lot of fans seem to have in this guy Kolb. What's he ever done to make people think he's better than McNabb?
Do we have a right to gripe about #5? Yeah, sure. But "anybody but McNabb" is not a viable option at QB. Be realistic, people.

[joe l]

Not news. This is standard athletic non-speak here. What is he supposed to say, "No, I'm not ready to play and I'm glad Donny stepped back in."

[Sponge-Worthy]

shut up until your name is called you dope.

[Not a fan of five]

Koy can't be matched.

McNabb and Kolb both stink. I'm not in the "anybody but McNabb" camp, I'm in the "someone good" camp...

[chris]

pain is weakness leaving the body.

-Me

[DLo34]

@ Ryan

I don't know if I am splitting hairs, but you are right we should want a guy who wants to start. But in my mind I believe every competitive athlete from peewee to the pro bowl should want to start no matter what; I feel that is a given and does not need to be said. Kevin Kolb's comments are not what is best for the team and I believe he is adding a minor distraction. Aaron Rodgers wanted to start, but his company line for those years was "Brett's our QB." That is how it should be, we already know you want to start Kevin.

The thing that bothers me the most about this is:

"From one aspect, it was tough to watch, but I am glad we got the 'W'" Kolb said. "Donovan deserves a lot of respect and deserves his time, but like I've said, I feel confident I can be the guy, and I'm looking forward to being that."

1. Tough to watch your team get a must win in a blow out fashion on national television?

2. Donovan DESERVES HIS TIME? He's a $100 million franchise QB, this isn't a QB by committee just because you came in for relief against the Ravens and mop up against the Cardinals.

3. "I'm looking forward to being that." That troubles me quite a bit too, because that makes it sound like as soon as McNabb is gone this is Kevin Kolb's team. It also makes Kevin Kolb sound like a little kid whose daddy owns a million dollar business and Kolb looks forward to it simply being handed over to him.

I don't know if I am splitting hairs or overanalyzing etc. but does any one else out there get the same impression from these quotes?

[Mr. Bryan]

McNabb stays, Reid goes for 2009.

[EFC-Chuck]

I definitely like the fact that he's competitive, and I want that drive in my next franchise QB. But right now, considering he has not proven that he can win games, I think he needs to understand how "teamwork" plays out. You don't undercut the person you're supposed to be learning from. McNabb has been in this NFL for years and can help teach Kolb, who's only real experience is in college. Right now his place is to keep quiet, learn, and be ready at a moment's notice.
He needs to earn respect, it's not inherited.

[Not a fan of five]

"Reid goes for 2009."

Reid just has to put his players in a good position to win. He's just got to do a better job of that.

I'm kidding, I'm all for losing him.

[Scott B]

Thanks for your opinion Kevin, now go sit down.

The kid speaks his opinion now after his second half start against Baltimore? He didnt prove anything.

If he did get the start against a terrible Arizona D and played well, the media would be having a field day over Kolb vs. McNabb

give me a break

[Justin Evans]

Kevin Kolb,

If you want to start. Do not give your best Ryan Leaf, Mike McMahon, or any other shitty quarterback impression out there.

-Justin

[El Capitan Obvioso]

The real problem here is that the comments Kolb made, make him sound like a guy who was promised a chance to start. He sounds like he was expecting the starting QB job to come his way at some point. He doesn't have the pedigree or potential to be a top tier NFL quarterback.

[dc]

The "so far" part of the comment bothered me, talk about a backhanded compliment. P.s. everybody remembers he's from Texas right?

[Ben]

You do realize he was probably baited into these comments by the media. That is what the media does and they have always seemed to have something against McNabb. I think it is nothing and will just pass by.

[PhiPhan5648]

D-Nabb is still the best, and most proven WB in the Eagles Depth Chart. Kolb, in the few times I've seen him, really hasn't shown me too much to be over on him. That doesn't mean I'm against him starting in the future, when D-Nabb isn't the best option, but so far he hasn't even instilled the slightest amount of doubt in a D-Nabb supporter.

That being said... his comments should have been a little more tactful. "This is McNabb's team" would've been the proper comment to make.

[Chris]

Wow, what a douche. This further increases my hatred for Kolb. Oh, you want the start of McNabb? Then maybe you shouldnt have played even worse than he did in relief!

Just remember which one gave up the longest interception return in NFL History, KOLB is a joke and will never be a star.

[chris]

kolb's an ass...shut your mouth and take your seat on the bench. next time you are called upon play better than mike mcmahon!

[ben]

@Chris and chriss:
Honestly?? You are going to judge him after the Ravens game? He was told at halftime that he would be leading the team against the 2nd best defense in the league without having any practice time with the first team offense in practice. Give the guy i break. I do think this is McNabbs team but you cant judge his performance after that game.

[zfg]

Haha, wow, this is some epic blowing out of proportion!

First of all, yeah, he could have said that a lot better than he did, but whatever. I really can't blame the guy for being disappointed; I would be too in the situation. A little more tact might have helped, but is this really news?

Secondly, we know absolutely nothing about this guy. He came into a hopeless situation, and played poorly. Still, the sample size is so small, and the actual circumstances so unusual that we can't tell anything from it. To look at the second half vs. the Ravens and say Kolb will never make it in the NFL is ridiculous. This is not to say he is, or will be a good NFL quarterback, just that we can't tell. In the mean time, however, I think it's pretty obvious that Donovan is the better QB at the moment, and we should stick with him until the Eagles are out of the playoffs.

Finally, I'm wondering how many people yelling "STFU KOLB!!!!" at their computers right now were saying "Start the Kevin Kolb Era!!!!" a few weeks ago. I'm not sayin', just sayin'.

[Emily]

@chris,

"pain is weakness leaving the body" is not a quote by you. I believe the marines have that copyrighted...nice try though

[Jason]

FUCK YOU KOLB, I hope you never start in this town ever! McNabb is the best QB in the Eagles history, its not his fault andy reid won't get him and WR's that are capable of being a big time threat. I hope we get rid of Kolb before he embarrasses Philadelphia to no end.

[shedd]

@ben

Yes he came in against the very good Ravens defense. But if he is so sure he should be the starter he should be prepared to prove it. He isn't. Playing poorly against a secondary like that is one thing, but the longest INT return for TD in history? He had the tackle opportunity and instead of pulling it off he flopped on the ground. (Did anyone see Aaron Rogers' interception hit on Jason David of the Saints that same week? He cleaned his clock inside the Packers' 5 to save a touchdown. The Saints ended up scoring, but Rodgers did his part to clean up his own mess.) Point being, Kolb is simply not ready and in no way a better option than McNabb.
In fact, McNabb probably has a lot of gas left in the tank and I firmly believe if we get rid of him, he goes on to build a HOF resume while we rebuild with Kolb or some other schmuck for 4-5 years. Will Kolb be good? Maybe. But we sure haven't seen anything to support that so far.