Kevin Kolb Concussion Problems at Front of Philadelphia Eagles' Woes

The Eagles aren't exactly off to a soaring start this season after falling at home to the Green Bay Packers 27-20 and losing starting quarterback Kevin Kolb to a concussion late in the second quarter.

Philadelphia also lost linebacker Stewart Bradley to a concussion during the game, while starting center Jamaal Jackson and Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver are both gone for the season after suffering serious injuries.

The Eagles were already in a transitional period after trading quarterback Donovan McNabb to divisional rival Washington and naming Kolb as the quarterback of the future in Philly.

Philadelphia has the league's highest profile and most expensive backup quarterback in Michael Vick, who entered the game Sunday and turned in a solid performance, throwing for 175 yards and a touchdown and adding another 103 yards on the ground.

Vick showed he still has the ability to be a dangerous weapon for the Eagles offense and even stated after the loss that if he'd played "four quarters, maybe we would have had a chance to win the game."

The dual-threat quarterback has since clarified his remarks by saying that Kolb is doing a fine job and he only said that as a competitor with a high belief in his own abilities. 

The issue facing Eagles coach Andy Reid now is the fact that Vick is not the only person confident in his abilities.

Reid has repeatedly said that Kolb is the starting quarterback and will be given every opportunity to remain as such, but after Vick's performance some are clamoring for a quarterback controversy.

Kolb threw for only 24 yards on 10 attempts while leading the Eagles to just three points in the first half, while Vick threw for more yards and nearly led the Eagles to a comeback until he was stopped on a 4th-and-1 run attempt.

Vick clearly outperformed Kolb during the game, but the Eagles have no choice but to give their former second-round draft choice his starting job back when he returns from the concussion.

Once the Eagles traded McNabb, they tied their future to Kolb, and there is no way the team can allow him just a half to show what he can do.

Regardless of how well Vick plays, Kolb has to start once he returns.

Playing Kolb will not be the most popular pick by all Eagles fans, and things could get even dicier for Reid since Vick will likely be the starter against the Lions this weekend.

The Lions defense ranked last in the NFL last season in total yards and passing yards, and they are off to a rough start this season after allowing Bears quarterback Jay Cutler to throw for 372 yards in their opening game.

Vick has every opportunity to have a big game on Sunday and lead the Eagles to their first win, something the team could desperately use, but something that could also cloud the future of the team's most important position.

Reid is widely regarded as one of the league's top coaches, but after the opening weekend loss, mounting injuries, and a brewing quarterback controversy, a successful 2010 season would be his best work yet.