First let me preface this post (and many others) with saying that there is nothing going on in the NFL right now. It’s the dead period as we wait for training camp. Unless someone gets arrested, or shot or both, there just isn’t much to talk about (there aren’t even any first-round picks getting signed). So, I understand if all of these “stories” ain’t all that entertaining. But it is what it is, we can’t make stuff up for the sake of writing interesting posts (unless you want us to. It’s definitely a possibility).
So anyway, in a FoxSports.com chat, Adam Caplan writes that he thinks Philadelphia Eagles QB Kevin Kolb could be a Top-10 QB in the NFL this season. He also says that the coaches felt that he was ready to go in 2009, even though the team still had Donovan McNabb.
“I think he’ll finish in the top-15 possibly top-10,” he writes. “His understanding of the scheme will really help. I think the Eagle fans will be surprised at how much of a command he has on everything. I know privately the coaching staff has felt he could have started all season last year and done well.”
Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn’t. I like Caplan and respect his opinion for sure, but he knows about as much as we do as far as how Kolb will fair over the course of an NFL season. The truth is, no one knows for sure. He does speak to those inside the Philadelphia Eagles, but I really doubt that they would tell him that Kolb is destined to be a bum (and if they did, they would start with “don’t tell anyone I said this, but…”).
Like I said, it’s a slow news time and I’m just trying to pass along any information that I can right now. Rip me if you like (that’s what I’m here for). It’s either boring “news” items or have this section essentially be dead at this point in the offseason. I’m as anxious as all of you guys to get this team to training camp so we can start having some real discussions about the Eagles and what’s happening with position battles and such.
I hope he does but I don’t care what anyone’s opinion is at this time. I just want them to play. All the predictions and forecasts are meaningless (although fun). Of course he “could” be a top 15-10 QB. In the NFL you can be top 10 and still be just an ok QB. After the top 3 with P. Manning, Brees, Brady then the second tier guys like Rivers, McNabb, Romo, Rodgers, E Manning and a couple more, the rest are avg or below. So cracking the top 15 doesn’t mean much if you’re 14 on the list. And even being number 10 may not mean much but who knows how the season is going to go. I just hope for the best and just want Kolb to go out there and be efficient. He doesn’t have to be superman his first year starting. Just manage the game. If the defense and o-line play better then it will make his job easier. If not, then he will have a tough year especially with the teams we are facing.
So let’s wait and see and even what happens this year is no indication of the next year. He could stink this year and be great next year or vice versa. We see it all the time with QBs in the NFL. A guy can have one great year and look to be the next coming of an NFL great and end up just being an ok QB for his career. Or a guy can have a bad season and end up being one of the best in the league over his career. Anyone remember Manning’s first year? INT machine. Now look at him.
Caplan’s other recent predictions…
“Phillywill” will be top 3 Finalists in the literary award from Philadelphia Enquirer”
Paulman’s QB Rankings for likely starters for the NFC Conference as of today
#1) D Brees
#2) A Rodgers
#3) B Farve
#4) T Romo
#5) M Ryan
#6) D McNabb
#7) Eli Manning
#8) J Cutler
#9) M Hasselbeck
#10) K Kolb
#11) M Moore
#12) A Smith
#13) M Stafford
#14) M Lineart
#15) J Freeman
#16) Jay Feeley
As you can see, the NFC is pretty weak at the QB position as a whole, with the quality of QB play really slipping after the 6th/7th Spot(McNabb/Eli)
With the weapons and pass happy offense that Kolb inherits,there is no reason (if he protects the ball and stays away from the bad play) and gets off to a good start that he can’t move up into the
top #8 for this year and seriously compete for a top #5 spot come the 2011 season as Farve/McNAbb get another year older..
The AFC is loaded with Peyton,Brady,Rivers,Schaub,Palmer,Flacco,Big Ben,and up and coming
QB’s in M Sanchez,C Henne, but they have their average guys too like M Cassel,K Orton,J Campbell,
V young,J Delhomme,D Garrard and whoever wins the job in Buffalo..
Bottom line, there are about a 12-14 top QB’s in the league for the 2010 Season with a few ready to move up and few ready to move out .. I think Kolb will be moving up as he gains more experience
No way Hasselbeck has a better year than Kolb with his bum group of WRs.
u guys can make fun of my post all u want but fact is
u come to this site for a reason and the person who’s site it is sees this for what it is and like me is stating just the facts not adjusting facts
C’mon PW,
You are little sensitive this morning…. ha ha
To BTC24
I only rank Cutler/Hasselbeck higher that Kolb starting out the season for the experience they have as starters..I think Kolb can and should surpass them and others on the list if he plays well.. but he has to go out and do it first… Come mid-season I will re-ranked them all again based on how they and their teams are doing ..
schill’s been getting me lately lol
I think that Kolb will have a good year. He will have bad moments, but he has good weapons and will do well as a “system QB”. I think he fits the system better than Donovan although Donovan has better skills and is more talented and of course, experienced. Bottom line is that with Kolb or McNabb as the QB, the result is the same number of wins. The wild card is the defense. If the defense improves, we could win 10 games. If not, we are 8-8 or 7-9.
If/when Kolb is in the bottom 10 by the end of the season it’s not going to cost Caplan his job or any part of his reputation, so I just don’t even know why anyone would possibly take him seriously.