Even with 12 QB Pro Bowls on roster, Eagles turning to Kolb
In Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Jeff Garcia, the Philadelphia Eagles have three quarterbacks who have been to a combined 12 Pro Bowls.
Yet it's unproven Kevin Kolb could be making his first NFL start Sunday when the Eagles host the New Orleans Saints.
"Twelve Pro Bowls with those three guys and you just never think you'd be in the same room with all three of them," Kolb, a third-year pro at 25, said after practicing with the first unit Wednesday.
McNabb, Eagles' starter and five-time Pro Bowler, broke a rib in Sunday's opening week victory against the Carolina Panthers. He did not practice Wednesday.
His status for Sunday will depend on how quickly he heals. But it's a complete fracture, not just a crack, of a rib on his back, right side.
On Monday the Eagles signed the 39-year-old Garcia, an 11-year veteran who during a previous 2006 stint in Philadelphia filled in ably for McNabb.
Vick, three-time Pro Bowler, is back practicing his week. But under the terms of his NFL reinstatement after serving a prison sentence for dog fighting, he will not be eligible to play until the third game.
Kolb's signature NFL moment so far was a shaky 2008 appearance in relief of McNabb
Last Nov. 23, McNabb was benched at halftime of a 36-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. McNabb had thrown two interceptions. Kolb came in and threw two more, one returned 108 yards for a touchdown by Ed Reed.
"I just pressed too much, tried to show everybody right now, 'hey, I'm ready' ... You can't press as a quarterback," said Kolb, drafted in the second round in 2007 out of the University of Houston.
Eagles coach Andy Reid on Kolb: "He's a young guy and doesn't have a lot of experience, so there might be a misfire here or there. But I think overall I feel very comfortable with him in there."
If Kolb falters, Garcia could get the opportunity to elevate his status from short-term fill-in to primary backup for McNabb.
In 2006, Garcia led the Eagles to a 5-1 record down the stretch in the regular season and a playoff victory after McNabb was sidelined by a torn knee ligament.
"I'm very capable of playing this position still and if I'm given that opportunity I just want to make the most of it," said Garcia, released by the Oakland Raiders on the final cut this preseason after spending two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Vick adds another layer of uncertainty to the backup quarterback situation. Why would Garcia elect to join a crowd of quarterbacks by signing with Philadelphia?
"It's tough to keep your self on the street," said Garcia, who joined Vick Wednesday in running scout team plays to simulate the Saints. "As much as I knew this was a crowded situation, it also is the most comfortable situation for me being that I'm able to come back to a team that I have had success with."
McNabb was hurt when hit in the end zone after a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter of Sunday's 38-10 victory vs. Carolina.
"The rib was fractured all the way through," said Reid. "The term the doctors use is that rib has to get 'sticky.' In other words, when he's moving, that it's not moving up and down. ... Donovan's normally a fast healer. We'll just have to see."
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook sustained rib fractures last season and in 2004 and missed one game each time. "Donovan, he's a tough guy. He might be able to take a little more pain that I can. So hopefully we'll have him back," said Westbrook.
He also said he is confident in Kolb. "If we have Donovan in there, we're excited. If we have Kevin in there, we're excited," said Westbrook. " ... We just need to be prepared to go out there and win the football game."
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 8:44 AM
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