Jennifer Hilderbrand-US Presswire
Just how fast can you fall from franchise quarterback of the future to complete and total after-thought? Just ask Arizona Cardinals‘ QB Kevin Kolb.
When the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Kolb out of the University of Houston early in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, the young QB was thrust into the incredible pressure and potential glory of becoming Donovan McNabb‘s successor.
It seemed as if the Eagles organization and head coach Andy Reid had total faith in Kolb, after drafting him in the second round while the QB was projected to go in the third or even fourth round by most analysts.
On September 20, 2009 Kolb took the field in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints as the Eagles’ starting QB for the first time, due to an injury to McNabb. Kolb threw for a very impressive 391 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, and then followed that performance with an incredible 327 yards passing with 2 TD and 0 INT in a Week 3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
During the 2010 off-season the Eagles named Kolb the team’s starting QB after trading McNabb to the Washington Redskins, due in large part to Kolb’s stellar starting performances in 2009. It seemed as if Kolb had a very promising future in Philadelphia.
Not so fast.
In the second quarter of the Eagles’ 2010 season-opener against the Green Bay Packers, Kolb suffered a concussion, and just like that the Kolb era was over.
QB Michael Vick, fresh out of prison the year prior, took over for Kolb and established himself as the clear-cut starter of the Eagles. Vick showed that he had stayed in incredible shape during his time out of the NFL and seemed to be an even better passer, and more importantly, a much better decision-maker.
Although Kolb started four more games that season for the Eagles in the wake of an injury to Vick, he was less than impressive, committing 6 turnovers to only 6 touchdowns in those four contests.
It was clear to everybody that the Vick era had begun, and Kolb would be moving on.
This notion was confirmed on July 28, 2011 when Kolb was traded to the Cardinals for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick.
In 2011, Kolb’s first season as the starting QB of the Cardinals, he looked nothing like the break-out star he was once considered, as he struggled with his accuracy and most of all struggled to get the ball in the end-zone with just 9 touchdowns in 9 games.
Kolb also could not seem to stay healthy, as he suffered a foot injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, deactivating him for four weeks. Kolb then returned for just two starts before being knocked out for the rest of the season after sustaining a concussion against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14.
During the 2012 off-season Kolb lost his starting job to QB John Skelton. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, who is John Skelton?
Exactly. That’s how bad it has gotten for Kolb. The man has gone from undisputed franchise quarterback of the Eagles, to a scrub back-up of the Cardinals in a matter of just two years.
Luckily for Kolb, Skelton sustained an ankle injury in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, so by default, Kolb is getting the start against his former teammates.
The way I see it, Kolb’s only hope to salvage what is left of his reputation, is to beat the incredibly superior Eagles on his home turf in the desert. And not just beat them, beat them convincingly.
So I’m calling you out Kevin Kolb.
Show up. Beat the Eagles. Salvage your career.
Please follow me on Twitter @JoeD_Rant for all Eagles/NFL insight.
