PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Kolb was the best quarterback at the Eagles' practice Wednesday, but that's because Donovan McNabb wasn't there. With the Eagles running organized team activities for rookies, free agents and selected veterans, McNabb is taking advantage of his time off.
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| Andy Reid likes what he is seeing from his young quarterback. (US Presswire) |
Kolb is the Eagles' quarterback of the future, only nobody is sure when the future begins. Some of that, of course, depends on his progress, but most of it depends on the quarterback who isn't here.
McNabb.
When he returns, he steps in as the Eagles' starter, not only for now but for the immediate future, which is another way of saying ... now, read my lips ... THERE IS NO QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY IN PHILADELPHIA.
But you might want to stay tuned. As good as McNabb has been to and for the Eagles, he's also an accident waiting to happen -- and I don't base that on anything about McNabb now; I base it on his medical history.
• A year ago, he missed two games with a sprained ankle and injured thumb.
• The year before, he bowed out after 10 games with torn knee ligaments. He did not finish the season.
• In 2005, he missed seven games with a sports hernia and injured thumb. He did not finish the season.
• In 2002, he missed six games with a broken ankle. He returned for the playoffs.
I think you get the idea. McNabb is a franchise quarterback for one of the NFC's most successful franchises, but his history of injuries is what compelled the club a year ago to look for a safety net -- and that safety net looked mighty accurate Wednesday.
"I'm not at the point yet where I'm as good as I can get without playing time," Kolb said. "I'm still improving every day. That's why these reps are so important."
OK, so he's throwing against air. Ryan Leaf looked pretty good in 7-on-7s, too. But there is something about Kolb that has people in and around this organization excited. He is confident. He is poised. He is talented. And he is eager to play.
