Last week going into the Packers game we all were wondering about Kevin Kolb. One week later, Kolb’s not even going to be on the field.
Still, the biggest question of the week still has to be on the quarterback spot:
How much has Michael Vick learned about playing quarterback since his last start in 2006? …
Michael Vick and the Unsung Genius of Andy Reid
Besides trading Donovan McNabb within the division this offseason and placing the reigns of the franchise in Kolb’s hands, what more controversial decision has Reid made than signing Michael Vick after two years away from the game? He was blasted from all sides for that move.
We can discuss at length the effectiveness of the wildcat offense and Reid’s use of Vick over the last year. In some areas it proved useful and in others, it may have only disrupted the rhythm of the offense. But at the end of the day, the wildcat wasn’t causing anyone to want Vick to supercede Kolb. What’s important is Vick’s play as a back up quarterback, and that is where he demonstrated real value that outstripes any contrived debate…
Why Kevin Kolb Isn't to Blame
The general consensus coming out of Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers is that Kevin Kolb played terribly. Jeff McLane titled a story, “Yes, Kolb was that bad.” Phil Sheridan wrote that Kolb “didn’t look much like ‘The Guy.’” Tommy Lawlor called the first game “a nightmare start.” All over Philadelphia, reactionary fans are screaming for Michael Vick to take over.
The problem with this simple-minded analysis is that while everyone can agree that Kolb was less than stellar, no one puts forward any explanation beyond, “Kolb must be terrible.” Even though there is an explanation, a very simple one.
The explanation starts way back on September 30, 2007…
Knocked Out: Breaking Down the Eagles Defense
*The defense went with a big 3-4 look, with three down lineman and two stand-up rushers. Akeem Jordan dropped into coverage, and Ernie Sims and Nate Allen blitzed. Impossible to figure out which LBs were going to blitz, especially with Allen tacked on to that. Rodgers threw the ball into triple coverage for the pick. Here’s hoping we see that look again.
*Stewart Bradley has the speed to peel off and run with JerMichael Finley. That’s what makes hims so versatile. But he just can’t run into Finley when the ball’s in the air.
*Juqua Parker’s not dead yet, huh? Putting big pressure on opposite Trent Cole on multiple occasions. Three sacks in the first 16 minutes of the game…
Tough Loss: Breaking Down the Eagles Offense
*The Brent Celek motion-out-of-the-backfield play is going to be a big theme this season, isn’t it? But even before Celek’s supposed offensive pass interference, Kolb had two rushers in his face. How do you let two out of four rushers get to your quarterback?
*Then Kolb finally got some time to throw and forced one to Jackson that almost got picked off. Kolb wasn’t fabulous in this game, but (a) he only played a quarter and a half — during which time Aaron Rodgers wasn’t exactly lighting it up either, and (b) how do you expect a lot out of Kolb when he’s sacked on every third or fourth pass attempt?
*The Michael Vick quarterback draw play to pick up some field position yardage is something we didn’t see earlier. Although, if you keep running him up the gut, the Packers might see it coming later…
Packers at Eagles: The Big Question
It seems to me that, at the end of the day, Rodgers and the Packers are going to score points. Hopefully the revamped Eagles defense will have enough to keep the scoring from getting out of hand, but the biggest question mark going into the game is really:
Can Kevin Kolb and the offense keep up with the Packers’ high scoring attack?
Most fans seem upbeat about Kolb as we go into the season, despite his anemic preseason numbers. However, he’s going to have to light it up this Sunday — throwing his first touchdown of the year and more — if the Eagles want to win…
What is the Eagles' Most Glaring Personnel Blunder?
If 2007’s personnel blunder was not keeping veteran returner, 2008’s was not filling the fullback position. Rotating between overwhelmed running back Tony Hunt, undersized defensive tackle Dan Klecko, and mediocre fullback Kyle Eckel was uninspiring at best, and criminal at worst. Who’s surpised that Brian Westbrook began his decline so quickly that year?
Last year the mistake was less an arrogant oversight than a failure of any player to step up. When Brian Dawkins was allowed to walk in free agency, the Eagles expected either Quintin Demps or Sean Jones to fill the void. Eventually they had to revert to rookie cornerback Macho Harris at the last minute. Still, the position was hard to watch, especially as the linebacker corps in front of them imploded.
If each season seems to bring its own unique personnel mistake, what about 2010? Can we forcast the next blunder? …
The Curious Case of Macho Harris
So when Sean McDermott shifted Macho back once again to safety toward the end of camp, it would have been logical to conclude that Harris would end up as a second string player at that position. Getting cut loose entirely seemed like an unlikely proposition — his extensive playing time last season would certainly make him a positive contributor down the line.
But Macho was not only beat out for a job by rookie 7th round pick Kurt Coleman, but by a player who the Eagles had seen for a paltry three days, cornerback/returner Jorrick Calvin. How could a young player go so fast from starter to the waiver wire? Even Quintin Demps, who never even won the safety job in the first place, was kept on the roster for two full years as the Eagles hoped he would mature into a starter. Macho was a serviceable starter as a rookie. What’s the excuse for getting rid of him so early in his career? …