My comments about Kevin Kolb throwing some interceptions on Monday has created a debate that has surfaced on Philly.com, so I want to discuss it.
On Monday after practice I mentioned that Kolb had thrown interception after interception during practice. I really had quoted another writer saying it but I witnessed it myself.
There was a big reaction to it on the blogosphere.
Yesterday, I was approached by an individual when I walked on the practice field at the Nova Care complex, who was complaining about the fact that I had written those comments.
I told him that I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but I knew that there was some significance to it.
Later in the day, I noticed something on Philly.com that was aimed at me.
"BTW, not trying to embarrass any well-intentioned people here, but another blog's contention that Kevin Kolb was throwing a lot of interceptions Monday got wide discussion. Problem: Kolb was running a scout team offense that was giving "looks" to the defense from the offenses of NFC East opponents. He was supposed to get picked off, and he was, several times in a row."
According to those comments a scout team quarterback is supposed to throw interceptions. The truth of the matter is that a scout team quarterback is supposed to give the defense a good look, but isn't supposed to intentionally throw interceptions.
They are supposed to compete with the defense. He's not supposed to just drop in the pocket and throw interceptions.
Checkout comments on Philly.com praising Kolb that were made by former Eagles coach John Harbaugh on March 25, 2009 ..
"All I know is I saw Kevin Kolb every day in practice for a year when I was the secondary coach [in '07], where he was going against the defense as the scout-team quarterback," he said.
"When we did red zone, we couldn't defend him. I mean, he'd run the red-zone offense for the team we were going to play. We had the No. 1-ranked red-zone defense in the league 2 years ago. And we couldn't stop Kevin Kolb. Throwing to Mike Gasperson every day in practice. He picked us apart."
Here Kolb is being praised by Harbaugh for competing with the defense. If he was supposed to just throw interceptions then he should be mad at him for messing up the dirll.
How could Kolb impress Harbaugh if he was throwing interceptions to the defense? The fact of the matter was that he was getting the best of the defense and doing a good job of it.
On Monday he threw interception after interception. Yesterday he was competing. He didn't throw any interceptions.
Anybody who believes the scout team's job is to make it easy for the first team doesn't know what they're talking about.
If Kolb is making it easy for the defense by just throwing inteceptions to them, how does this get them ready for Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers and Jay Cutler?
I rest my case, the scout team quarterback is not supposed to intentionally throw interceptions.
