We all knew this day would come. The day when Kevin Kolb would finally get his shot. I’m not talking about insignificant preseason contests, clean-up duty in blowouts or two quarters on the road against a ferocious defense. No, I mean getting all the first team practice reps in preparation to run onto Lincoln Financial Field as the starting signal caller for the Eagles.
Andy Reid believes in Kolb. His teammates say they are confident he can lead, but it’s not like they’re going to trash the dude, even off the record. This ain’t Dallas. Dictator Reid runs a pretty tight ship down at NovaCare.
The fans are a different story. They’ve seen enough of Kolb’s indecisive and erratic play to make their own assessment of his abilities. Safe to say, they’re not impressed. They want Jeff Garcia under center on Sunday. They would have settled for AJ Feeley, if he hadn’t signed with Carolina. Hell, Koy Detmer would be welcomed back with open arms. Anyone but Kevin Kolb.
Eagles Nation needs a villain. Someone to point the finger of blame at. We’re past the point of crucifying Reid for his decision to draft the Houston quarterback back in ’07. What’s done is done. For better or worse, the organization and those who cheer for midnight green are stuck with Kolb. At least for one more week.
Should Kolb fall flat on his face versus the Saints, fans will feel justified in voicing their angry criticism. Then they can beat the Garcia/Vick drum loud and proud. Should he perform admirably, Reid and Co. will feel validated in their evaluation. You can bet Reid will flash his signature coy smile at every opportunity. The smile that tells everyone who chooses to notice, “I told you so.”
Expecting Kolb to fail and wanting him to are two completely different notions. Booing him after five or six straight incompletions is one thing, but hoping he throws five or six straight incompletions in order help fuel the fires of hatred is wrong.
For this reason, I wish the game was in New Orleans, not Philly. It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to predict the reception Kolb will receive if his first pass sails over DeSean Jackson‘s head. Kolb knows what he’s getting himself into. He’s heard the catcalls and curse words before. Normally, they are directed at McNabb or another target. On Sunday, he will be the one in the line of fire. How he handles the dissenting attacks will go a long way in determining his level of success.
I have no idea if Kolb has what it takes to run the offense for an entire game. I have no idea if he can hack the pressure being heaped upon him. I have no idea if he’s capable of going toe-to-toe with the likes of Drew Brees. I have no idea if he’s the right guy to guide the Eagles to victory.
But I can’t wait to find out.
Be sure to head on over to the FanSided Sports Blog to read The Chronicles of Scott, my newest endeavor. I pontificate on sports, movies, fantasy football and whatever else piques my interest. While there, check out The Best View, Making It Look Easy and Suicide Drills. Those guys are killin’ it on a daily basis.
Tags: Eagles fans hate Kevin Kolb, Eagles sign Jeff Garcia, McNabb fractures ribs
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