What is it about the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback controversies? The organization finally parts ways with Donovan McNabb and is expecting to settle into the Kevin Kolb era, only to see Kolb get injured in Week 1. Then his replacement, one-time superstar Michael Vick plays lights out in the team’s Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions. Immediately after the game, head coach Andy Red explicitly stated that Kolb would be the starter next Sunday when the Eagles travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers.
We’ll see if Kolb can stay healthy and perform consistently enough to keep his job as the season progresses, but for now, he’s got to be feeling both confident and nervous as can be. On the one hand, he’s clearly got the vote of confidence from his head coach. On the other hand, he knows that his margin of error is much smaller now that Vick has proven capable of leading the team and winning.
Tight end Brett Celek, who caught three passes from Vick during Sunday’s win, makes a good point when he said on WIP this morning that it’s not a bad thing to have multiple options at such an important position:
“Everyone wonders, if it’s working, why fix it? But Kevin was the starting quarterback and he’s a great quarterback too. I think we have a good problem having two great quarterbacks on our team. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
Celek was impressed though with Vick’s play, in particular, how he made plays in the passing game while using his feet to avoid pressure and get outside the pocket:
“I think one of the best things he did in that game too was when he was scrambling, he couldn’t run, and he tossed it over to D-Jack (DeSean Jackson). We got 15 or 20 yards on that play and he keeps his eyes down field. If guys are open when he’s running, he’s gonna throw it.”
If you think you know what’s in store for this year’s Eagles team, all I’d say really is, don’t count on it. Looks like we’re in for a roller coaster ride of a season if the first two weeks are any indication.