Kevin Kolb: Why He's Worth Trading For
With his return to the elite class of NFL quarterbacks, it’s only a matter of time before Michael Vick officially signs on to be the leader in Philadelphia for the next few years. Vick’s place as the Eagles starter is one of few sure things heading into 2011, so odds are backup Kevin Kolb’s days in Philly are numbered.
With numerous clubs seeking a fresh start at quarterback, here are three reasons why teams should be considering Kevin Kolb as their man for the 2011 season…
Reason One: His Impressive Skill Set
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In 2007, Andy Reid saw so much potential in Kevin Kolb that he chose him to be Donovan McNabb’s heir apparent.
With a 6’3”, 218 lb. frame, Kolb certainly looks like a top-tier NFL signal caller. He throws the ball extremely accurately, and his sound mechanics paired with a smooth delivery allow for a quick release.
He has the arm strength to hit receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin for big plays down the field, and he can fit passes into tight coverage when necessary. He has good enough mobility to extend plays in and outside of the pocket, and he can pick up crucial yards on third down scrambling.
Overall, Kolb has the skill set to take a good football team to the next level in 2011, with potential to become a championship quarterback later on.
Reason Two: His Play in Previous Starts
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Kevin Kolb’s first career start came against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 of the 2009 season. In that game, he threw for 391 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that would lead its team to a Super Bowl championship later that year.
The next week, his passing totaled 327 yards in a win against the Kansas City Chiefs. His strong performances made him the first player in NFL history to pass for over 300 yards in each of his first two starts.
During his first four years as an Eagle, Kolb’s best game came in a 2010 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons. Facing a team that would finish the regular season with an NFC best 13-3 record, Kolb led Philadelphia to a 31-17 victory, posting a career-high quarterback rating of 133.6. He completed 79.3 percent of 29 passes, totaling 326 yards and three touchdowns.
Although his game experience is limited, Kolb has played so well that he just might be the kind of player who can push a struggling offense in the right direction.
Reason Three: How He Handled 2010
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After trading Donovan McNabb, the Eagles named Kevin Kolb as their starting quarterback for the 2010 season. Andy Reid showed tremendous confidence in his prized pupil, but just 22 minutes and 24 seconds into his career as a full-time starter, Kolb suffered a concussion.
Kolb’s injury opened the door for his backup Michael Vick, who would play so well that he became the starting quarterback for the rest of the 2010 season.
In the days following his unexpected demotion, Kevin never once complained. When Andy Reid announced his decision to start Michael Vick just one day after declaring Kevin was the starter, Kolb again had no issues.
With teams replacing quarterbacks who have off-the-field issues on the level of Vince Young, signing a player who has strong character and is a team player, like Kevin Kolb, looks like a step in the right direction heading into 2011.
Overall...
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With the current state of the CBA halting any potential trades or contract negotiations, the slim chance that Kevin Kolb could start in Philadelphia still exists. Although that could happen, it would mean that the Eagles don't re-sign Michael Vick.
Now that isn't very likely, so it's only fair to trade Kevin Kolb to a team that needs him (considering the Eagles promised him a starting spot almost a year ago).
Kevin Kolb's waited long enough, and he's proven he's good enough.
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