2011 NFL Draft: 5 Reasons the Philadelphia Eagles Should Deal Kevin Kolb
The Philadelphia Eagles have the quarterback they want, and it's not Kevin Kolb.
Michael Vick has run wild all over the NFL, and Kolb is now useless to the Eagles. He was said to be the quarterback of the future, but Vick still has a bunch of good years left in his career. If people have watched Eagles games, they know that Vick is better for the Eagles offensive system than Kolb.
Kolb was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft with the expectations that he would be the long-term replacement for Donovan McNabb. When McNabb was dealt earlier than expected, Kolb was selected as the starter for the 2010 season.
A Week 1 concussion for Kolb opened the door for Vick and he ran through it. A return to action after a concussion for Vick further proved the fact that he was better suited for the position.
Here are five reasons the Eagles should trade Kolb for a draft pick.
**This whole articles hinges on whether or not players are allowed to be dealt for draft picks. If not, this doesn't relate to the NFL draft. So, let's assume that players are allowed to be traded for draft picks.
5. Many Teams Need Quarterbacks
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The NFL is currently full of teams looking for their next franchise quarterback.
The Arizona Cardinals have expressed interest in Kolb. Teams like the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers wouldn't be opposed to adding a quarterback.
The Cardinals watched three quarterbacks go out and post lackluster performances throughout the 2010 season. The Titans are on the verge of trading or releasing Vince Young and are left with just Kerry Collins on their quarterback depth chart. Carolina just recently drafted a quarterback, but they aren't sure if he's ready to lead a NFL team.
Desperation can lead to teams overpaying for a player—look at Albert Haynesworth.
4. Mike Kafka Is a Viable Backup
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There's no reason to keep Kevin Kolb this year if the Eagles don't plan to use him.
Current third-stringer Mike Kafka can provide relief if Vick is injured. Kafka had a solid senior season at Northwestern University. He completed almost 65 percent of his passes while throwing 16 touchdowns.
The downside to Kafka's ability is his tendency to throw to the other team. He had 12 interceptions his senior season—which is high for a college quarterback. Although Kafka has yet to play in a regular season NFL game, he's regarded as an NFL-ready quarterback.
Some scouts have said that Kafka's interception problems show that he's not afraid to throw the ball. Kafka scored well on his Wonderlic test and has impressive arm strength. If he can learn to read the defense better, Kafka has the arm to make the necessary throws.
Why not give Kafka the chance if he's called on?
3. Michael Vick Is Younger Than His Age Suggests
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Michael Vick is 30 years old and he'll turn 31 before the 2011 NFL season starts.
For most quarterbacks, this could be a slight cause for concern. Once a player turns 30, it can be said that they are nearing the end of their career. Vick was out of the league for two years, so one could say he's 28 years old. That's about the age a player is when they sign their long-term contract.
Vick is also not running the ball as much as he used to, so he's not as much of a risk as a franchise quarterback. All signs seem to be pointing to a longer-than-expected career for Vick. There is no reason for the Eagles to keep such a highly touted backup with a starter like a Vick.
Vick looks like he'll be around for a while, so why not build around him?
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2. Kevin Kolb Has Never Proven Himself
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Before the beginning of the 2010 season, it was said that Kolb could be the breakout quarterback of the year.
What was the basis of these projections?
Kolb did really well in two starts during the previous season. He became the first signal-caller in NFL history to pass for over 300 yards in his first two starts.
The problem with that theory is the defenses he faced. Neither the New Orleans Saints or Kansas City Chiefs have stifling defenses, making Kolb's performances slightly blown out of proportion.
In his first game as a starter in 2011, he showed little ability to move the offense. Kolb has shown that he has a hard time extending plays like Vick does. The Eagles offense is driven by its big-play ability. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are most effective on long routes and Kolb is not a scrambling quarterback.
In late-game situations, Kolb has very little composure and seems to throw near-interceptions each time he drops back.
Kolb can be a good quarterback, but he's not built for the Eagles offense.
1. Eagles Have a Shot This Season
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The Philadelphia Eagles have a legitimate shot to win the Super Bowl if there is a 2011 NFL season.
This year, the Eagles lost to the eventual champion Green Bay Packers. However, they were questionably the closest to beating Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and the Packers.
The Eagles have extremely young offensive skill players and a developing defense. If the Eagles deal Kolb for a first- or second-round pick, they could seriously bolster their lineup. Throw in a cornerback and toughen up the offensive line and the Eagles could be considered the favorite for the NFL championship.
This year's draft class may not have the superstars of past years, but there is depth and quality players.
The Eagles are in a "we can win now" type of situation and they should capitalize on their opportunity.
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