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Kolb continues to improve
By Bob Grotz, Of The Times Staff
PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in weeks, Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb totally felt like a rookie.
Kolb was far enough ahead of the learning curve Tuesday the Eagles threw him a curveball — an advanced play, the type he begins seeing regularly starting today. For a minute or so, he felt like a project.
“I had no clue what any of it meant,” Kolb said.
All it did was remind the second-round draft pick out of Houston how much more work is ahead despite what veteran teammates and coaches consider an impressive start to his NFL career.
Kolb, nonetheless, isn’t fazed by his underdog status amongst the handful of quarterbacks who have proven they can win in the NFL. With Donovan McNabb’s rehab from a torn anterior cruciate ligament seeming more difficult than the franchise passer imagined, Kolb is pushing himself as hard as the coaches. And for good reason; if McNabb can’t go in the season opener, Kolb could be one play away from his regular season debut.
“First of all, A.J. is ready to play,” Kolb said. “A.J. is a good player and that’s the reason we have him around. And so is Kelly (Holcomb). But I think if the situation got dealt to me — they’d have to limit some things obviously and everybody would have to help out — but I think we could get it done. That’s the worst-case scenario, though. We’ve got some great quarterbacks and they’re definitely going to get the chance first.”
Kolb has looked surprisingly amazingly polished in the West Coast offense, a system with enough plays and formations to confuse the wiliest veteran.
He made virtually every throw Tuesday, albeit in the non-contact arena of practice full of more rookies than veterans.
For the most part, Kolb made them effortlessly and accurately, spiraling the ball to spots only his receivers could reach. In just a few weeks he’s gotten a handle on the cadence and the footwork required of the position.
Barely a month into his career, Kolb is ready to delve significantly deeper into the playbook.
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“We’re working on the details,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “We’re working on some of the basic fundamentals and techniques we use. He’s doing really a good job. We’ll see if we can keep this thing going.”
Kolb’s talents can be much more easily assessed when training camp begins July 27 at Lehigh University. The nature of the practices — no blitzes, no pass rush, skeletal pass coverage — almost is purely fundamental.
At the same time, Kolb has done an eye-opening job of improving seemingly with each and every practice. His mistakes have been minimal. He’s been a quick study soaking up knowledge just by watching the veterans. Lately it’s been Holcomb.
“Kelly’s been around it all,” Kolb said. “He knows everything that’s being said, he knows the terminology. It frustrates me because he picks it up so much quicker than I do. But he just slaps me on the butt and says, ‘quit worrying about it man. It’s your first camp or it’s your second camp. It’s going to come.’ I’m definitely not there yet. I think there’s a long way to go.”
Kolb has done a commendable job of fitting in with some of the same teammates who were shocked when the Eagles made him their first pick in the recent draft.
Kolb joined Holcomb in a recent golf outing, one that gave him an up close and personal look at diehard Eagles fans.
Kolb genuinely thinks his reception has been nothing short of stunning, and hopes it’s the beginning of a lengthy relationship.
“It’s pretty neat here because they don’t pester you,” Kolb said. “They just say, ‘hey it’s nice to have you in town.’ And that’s it. And that’s nice to have. I’ve heard so many tough things about this town and how they’re going to boo you. And then when you get something nice, it’s like, ‘oh man.’ I know if you don’t succeed, it’s to come. But they treat you with open arms right now.”
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/ap...content=/DCT/Sports/TopStoryList_Story_367308
By Bob Grotz, Of The Times Staff
PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in weeks, Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb totally felt like a rookie.
Kolb was far enough ahead of the learning curve Tuesday the Eagles threw him a curveball — an advanced play, the type he begins seeing regularly starting today. For a minute or so, he felt like a project.
“I had no clue what any of it meant,” Kolb said.
All it did was remind the second-round draft pick out of Houston how much more work is ahead despite what veteran teammates and coaches consider an impressive start to his NFL career.
Kolb, nonetheless, isn’t fazed by his underdog status amongst the handful of quarterbacks who have proven they can win in the NFL. With Donovan McNabb’s rehab from a torn anterior cruciate ligament seeming more difficult than the franchise passer imagined, Kolb is pushing himself as hard as the coaches. And for good reason; if McNabb can’t go in the season opener, Kolb could be one play away from his regular season debut.
“First of all, A.J. is ready to play,” Kolb said. “A.J. is a good player and that’s the reason we have him around. And so is Kelly (Holcomb). But I think if the situation got dealt to me — they’d have to limit some things obviously and everybody would have to help out — but I think we could get it done. That’s the worst-case scenario, though. We’ve got some great quarterbacks and they’re definitely going to get the chance first.”
Kolb has looked surprisingly amazingly polished in the West Coast offense, a system with enough plays and formations to confuse the wiliest veteran.
He made virtually every throw Tuesday, albeit in the non-contact arena of practice full of more rookies than veterans.
For the most part, Kolb made them effortlessly and accurately, spiraling the ball to spots only his receivers could reach. In just a few weeks he’s gotten a handle on the cadence and the footwork required of the position.
Barely a month into his career, Kolb is ready to delve significantly deeper into the playbook.
Advertisement
“We’re working on the details,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “We’re working on some of the basic fundamentals and techniques we use. He’s doing really a good job. We’ll see if we can keep this thing going.”
Kolb’s talents can be much more easily assessed when training camp begins July 27 at Lehigh University. The nature of the practices — no blitzes, no pass rush, skeletal pass coverage — almost is purely fundamental.
At the same time, Kolb has done an eye-opening job of improving seemingly with each and every practice. His mistakes have been minimal. He’s been a quick study soaking up knowledge just by watching the veterans. Lately it’s been Holcomb.
“Kelly’s been around it all,” Kolb said. “He knows everything that’s being said, he knows the terminology. It frustrates me because he picks it up so much quicker than I do. But he just slaps me on the butt and says, ‘quit worrying about it man. It’s your first camp or it’s your second camp. It’s going to come.’ I’m definitely not there yet. I think there’s a long way to go.”
Kolb has done a commendable job of fitting in with some of the same teammates who were shocked when the Eagles made him their first pick in the recent draft.
Kolb joined Holcomb in a recent golf outing, one that gave him an up close and personal look at diehard Eagles fans.
Kolb genuinely thinks his reception has been nothing short of stunning, and hopes it’s the beginning of a lengthy relationship.
“It’s pretty neat here because they don’t pester you,” Kolb said. “They just say, ‘hey it’s nice to have you in town.’ And that’s it. And that’s nice to have. I’ve heard so many tough things about this town and how they’re going to boo you. And then when you get something nice, it’s like, ‘oh man.’ I know if you don’t succeed, it’s to come. But they treat you with open arms right now.”
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/ap...content=/DCT/Sports/TopStoryList_Story_367308
