Philadelphia Eagles: The Value of a Backup Quarterback

With the NFL owners and players nearing a deal to end the NFL lockout, teams are expected to call the Philadelphia Eagles about fifth-year quarterback Kevin Kolb. Many analysts have reported that when the lockout is lifted, Kolb will be whisked away like a leaves on a windy day.

Kolb was a guest on the Dan Patrick Show this week and seemed to indicate his days in Philly were numbered.

When asked if there was a scenario in which he would return to Philly, he said, "I don’t want to look down that route. I’ve had a great time there, but it’s time for me to move on and do my own thing. I’m the first one to tell you that I had my shot and it didn’t work out. That’s why I have to go prove myself somewhere else, if that possibility presents itself. I can’t think of one from the conversations I’ve had before it all happened. It sounds like that’s the plan and I hope everyone sticks to it.”

Sounds like a guy who can’t wait to get out of town.

Many have pegged Arizona as the front-runner to acquire Kolb. No one thinks Max Hall or John Skelton, who have combined for three TDs and eight INTs in seven starts, will be the starter for Ken Whisenhunt’s team. Many think Arizona is just a quarterback away from contending in the weak NFC West.

From the Eagles' perspective, the value of a capable backup quarterback is being overlooked. We all know Michael Vick’s style of play is conducive to injuries and while he actually hasn’t missed as much time as people think, there is risk involved.

Last season, Vick missed three games due to a rib cartilage injury suffered in Week 4. He stayed injury-free his rookie year, as well as in 2009 when he was used sparingly as Donovan McNabb’s backup. In his other five seasons, he played in 15 or more games four times.

His only major injury occurred in 2003 when he broke his leg in the preseason and missed the first 11 games.

The Eagles will not risk losing their season to an injury to Vick and having a guy like Kolb backing Vick would allow Andy Reid and GM Howie Roseman to sleep easy at night. Kolb is the team’s safety net, a good one at that.

There have been numerous cases of backups coming off the bench to save the season. In 1991, Steve Young replaced an injured Joe Montana and became a Hall of Fame quarterback. In 2001, an unheralded sixth-round pick named Tom Brady famously relieved an injured Drew Bledsoe in Week 2 and led the Patriots to victory in Super Bowl XXXVI.

But it appears Kolb will be traded and when he is, second-year man Mike Kafka will assume the backup QB role. However, the Eagles will not go into the season without a veteran QB coming into the picture.

There are a handful of free agents who may fill that void including Matt Hasselbeck, Marc Bulger, Shaun Hill, Dennis Dixon and Tavaris Jackson. Vince Young won’t be back with the Titans and could intrigue Andy Reid and become his “next project.”

Whatever happens with Kolb, the Eagles must make sure they head into the 2011 season with a guy they feel comfortable with behind Vick.