I think we got a good look at what lies ahead for Andy Reid, Kevin Kolb, DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles this season. They’re explosive offensively but Kolb will be challenged to throw the football a great deal, yet stay away from turnovers.
He’s got to make good decisions and take care of the football. I don’t think Friday night was a booming success if Kolb’s decision-making is the focal point.
Let’s a take a look at his performance, throw by throw.
His first throw of the game was made to a wide open Jackson and the situation was created by sending running back LeSean McCoy out wide to the tight end side. It exposed a problem in the Jaguars coverage because it left one of the linebackers one-on-one on Jackson. It was no contest as Kolb got the ball to Jackson and he made a nice run after the catch for a 21-yard gain.
On Kolb’s second throw, the Eagles knew they were going to get a zone coverage, so they ran a play action fake to McCoy and it froze the linebackers long enough to let Jeremy Maclin get behind him. Kolb had plenty of time to make a good throw to a wide open Maclin. It was a 29-yard gain.
On his third throw, Kolb showed his youth. With the ball on the 11-yard line and three downs to get a first down or into the end zone, Kolb jeopardized the three points which they were in position to put on the board. He tried to force a ball into wide receiver Jason Avant who was running a short get open route, which gives him the option of going inside or outside.
The only trouble with the play was that Avant wasn’t open, but Kolb threw the ball any way. It hit the defender in the hands and would have been an interception, if Avant hadn’t become a defender and pulled the ball out of the defender’s hands.
Kolb made an outstanding throw on the next play but it wasn’t a good decision. Tight end Brent Celek was being double-covered by two Jaguars linebackers, so Kolb should have gone elsewhere with the football. He went to him anyway and put the ball in the only place which would give his buddy a chance to make the play. The pass was to Celek’s back shoulder, but the big tight-end let it slide through his fingers.
Kolb’s next throw was a short one to Maclin for only three yards. He dropped in the pocket, looked downfield, saw nobody open, then checked it down to Maclin, who was tightly covered.
On third down and long, Kolb showcased his ability to throw on the run. He dropped into the pocket and looked downfield. Kolb looked to both sides but didn’t see what he wanted, so he began to move toward the line of scrimmage. His movement helped open up his tight end. He spotted Celek coming open and hit him with a dart on his chest for the first down.
It was solid quarterbacking that converted a third and nine, which kept the drive going. Kolb showed a good feel for the pocket and the line of scrimmage because he escaped pressure and made the throw just as he was crossing the line of scrimmage.
After an outstanding play, Kolb made another mistake, which could have been costly. It was a three-step drop and it seemed that Kolb had decided he was going to throw the ball to Celek, while he was calling the play in the huddle.
He took his quick three-step drop and looked up Celek, then let the ball go. Kolb disregarded the presence of a linebacker draped all over Celek. The backer knocked the ball down and it was fortunate for the Eagles that he couldn’t get his other arm around or he would have had a chance to pick the pass off.
On his next pass, Kolb got it done again on another 3rd and long with a throw down the middle of the field to a crossing Jackson. The young quarterback had to move in the pocket but did a good job of keeping his attention downfield. He waited for Jackson to come from the right side of the formation and get a step or two on the cornerback.
Thankfully Jackson opened up late and gave Kolb some room for error because the ball was behind the smallish wide receiver. Jackson pulled it in and converted what was a 3rd and ten situation. This was a good play by Kolb to again keep the drive going.
On the next throw, Kolb’s youth was exposed again. It was first down and 20 on the Jaguars 24-yard line. He should be thinking, I’ll take what they give me or take a shot into the end zone but not risk the three points we’re already in position to score. The last thing he wanted to do was put a ball up there for grabs with little zip on it.
Kolb dropped into the pocket and looked downfield. He couldn’t get the free safety out of the middle of the field despite looking to both sides, despte that he decided to float a pass down the middle into the end zone toward Maclin, which had no chance of getting there. The Jags free safety mistimed his jump or it would have been a sure interception and a drive killer.
On his next throw, the Eagles were backed up near their goalline. The young signal caller dropped into the endzone which is uncomfortable for any quarterback and got the ball out to Avant who was running a short curl route.
Kolb’s last throw of the game was to Maclin on a slant. The Jacksonville cornerback took away the slant and had it covered, but Kolb threw the ball anyway. The corner got his hands on the ball but couldn’t bring it in. Mistakenly, the refs called a penalty on the cornerback, but he made a good break on the pass, which Kolb should have never thrown.
So that’s my analysis of Kolb’s twelve passes in the season’s first preseason game. There was good, bad and ugly. He converted two third and longs and ran for a first down on another third down which is very good, but he threw a total of 12 passes and 4 times, the Jags got their hands on the football. Two times they had good chances to pick the ball off.
Those aren’t good numbers for only twelve throws. Imagine him throwing the ball three times that many or 36 times in a game against a good pass rush and a ball-hawking secondary. Will he be able to take care of the football or can we count on two or three turnovers a game?
It’s early so Kolb will get the chance to learn from his mistakes, but he’s got to do a better job of making sound decisions with the football.
That’s the challenge Kolb has ahead of him.
Songs post lamenting no 5 in 3…2…1…
This was good stuff “G”….Heard Mcnabb lead his team to a TD almst effortlessly in his short time in the 1st preseason game.
Where’s the Jerry Jones Column that was posted the day of the game? He apllauds the Kolb decision over Mcnabb and thinks the Eagles are better off without D5. way to go Jerry….you’re a real cowboy!
Great analysis G..lol Songs. By the way, did anyone check out Austin Howard; he looks like a real beast out there.
All good points G, some passes good, some a bit more risky, and that has to improve some heading into the season, no doubt. To steal a phrase from Hugh Douglas, A. Howard is a “grown man”, despite being an UFA from a small school. He might be a keeper, maybe the non-football guy knows a little about players? Update from LFF groundskeeper, all worms present, accounted for and healthy after a no-wormburner performance Friday night.The earthworms in Philadelphia”s football stadium have been removed from the endangered species list according to gov’t press release.
All a part of the growing pains of becoming a starter…
He definitely threw a few that would most likely been picked off.. but all in all, a good starting performance with command of the huddle, in out and up to the line of scrimmage, running the offense..
Next game versus the Bengals who had one of the best overall Defenses last year and have a great CB tandem (Joseph & Hall) and very active LB’s sould be a better test for both QB’s and the Eagles Offense in general
All I know is that if he cleans it up opponents are going to have nightmares about 10 and 18 grabbing slants in stride and running free for tons of YAC.
Couple of Injuries to report around the NFL
Cowboys Starting RT Marc Columbo was carted off practice field with an apparent Knee Injury and is scheduled for a MRI come Monday.
Cardinals WR L Fitzgerald suffered a sprained MCL and will be out for rest of Pre-Season and maybe up to 4-5 weeks.
49ers TE V Davis also suffered a sprained knee injury and left the field early in game vs the Colts
Texans rookie RB B Tate suffered a severe ankle injury and is scheduled to have surgery leaving him out for a 6-8 weeks and possibly longer
BIlls Starting RB F Jackson out six weeks with a broken hand and back-up RB M Lynch sprained his ankle and is out for approx 4 weeks
Patriots placed veteran WR T Holt on IR ending his season due to knee & ankle injuries.
Keep an eye on the Cowboys RT COlumbo, if it’s a major injury, then they will have to go out and get a OT which is easier said than done… They have D Free playing LT who has not looked that good so far this camp and in pre-season games, they traded for OT A Barron who has not been able to stay healthy long enough to get on the field and get reps so they may have some problems with depth and quality for their othere players at Tackle position are unproven and inexperienced
Its the first preseason game and your doing throw by throw analysis just crazy. Give the guy a break. No wonder deion says kolb has the toughest job in the league.
Good, honest breakdown. Just shoot it straight. I get so tired of the sugar-coated stuff from the media. Thanks G!
In all of Kolb’s playing time, he has always seemed to either stare down his receiver, or have his intended receiver already picked out. I’d like to actually see him move the D with his eyes, and actually read the D better while under center.
I’d like to think he’s this great learner, as several articles here have stated, but in general, he seems to have always had the issues with staring/forcing the ball, so I’m left wondering if the comments by MM and AR are truth, or a sales and marketing scheme.
I did like some of his throws though – some were incredibly precise, and a couple/few led to some YAC.
It is fair to critcize him! We got rid of the best QB in the franchise history for Kolb. So he must be better than McNabb..so it is fair to criticize him. To replace a HOF QB still in his prime you better be BETTER or the trade makes no sense. I know the FO and Coach groupies are going to come on here now and tell me I am not intelligent, and dont know what I am talking about. but when this FO gets me a ring….then they will have my full trust. BTW…lets keep throwing it when we are in the red zone….same crap because the coach doesn’t change.
dam songs u didnt watch skins gm it was on nfl channel yes d5 was sharp
bills didnt touch ball 4times lol
but in fairness jags stink bills stink who cares lets get the season rollin
birds bring on packers
skins bring on the boys week 1
im ready lets go this is takin to long
songs also skins ran the ball set up play action for d5 we never got to see this
it was a great thing to see the defense actually bite on the play action fake guys running wide open even a dirtball will do
Some people are so over the top and ridiculous that it doesn’t make sense. Some actually act like McNabb never hit anyone in stride and receivers never got any YAC yards. Maybe if he didn’t play with bums all the time and schmucks that couldn’t run routes there would have been more YAC. I still don’t know how you throw over 30k yards when you never never never ever ever ever hit receivers in stride. The exaggeration is ridiculous. Yet none are willing to point out a couple passes that Kolb threw that were behind the receiver or low. Jackson would have had a TD if Kolb would have hit him in stride on one of the passes. But to me, it’s not a big deal because I don’t expect him to always make a good throw but you guys act like this dude is perfect and McNabb never threw a good ball.
Anyhow, I think Kolb made some nice throws and some not so nice. But he didn’t do anything we’ve never seen before by him or any other QB that’s been here in the last decade. He did nothing different than McNabb, Garcia or even AJ Feely. He was ok and he should progress over the next couple games. I just hope he gets over making the throws in bad places. Some QBs never get pass those things and that’s the difference between being successful and not. I believe some games, he will look great and others will not simply because I can easily see a 3 TD, 0 INT350 yard performance, following by a 2 TD 3 INT 250 yard performance. And all criticism is fair. There is no “give him time”. This organization has told everyone that they are ready now and they feel just as good as if McNabb was there. Well if McNabb was there it would be Super Bowl or bust and it’s the same for Kolb.
Yeah PW, the other teams in the division are more balanced than we are. If Portis is back, Barber and Jones, Jacobs and Bradshaw, we are in trouble when we play late in the season. Can’t throw slants all games. Truthfully we won’t know much about this team until late this year. I can see them going 3-0 in the first 3 games or 1-2. Never know what will happen with these guys and the defense. I’m afraid for our secondary.
Bottom line is McNabb has the LOWEST TD/INT ration in NFL history. He PROTECTS the ball. Always has, always will. The knock is “he throws at guys feet”. You’d rather have an errant pass go low than high any day of the week. Kolb will struggle. That is a fact. He is a rookie QB with the weight of the world on his shoulders. However, all the debating on these boards brings up one VERY important point….The coaching staff and Reid know what they’re doing. A LOT more than any of us do. We are posting on a message board…they are coaching, rather successfully, in the National Football League. I would trust in their decision that Reid sees something in Kolb…as he did in McNabb and Favre. Reid knows QBs. He knows what makes them succcessful and how to facilitate that process.
i agree with u 100% scorp
u know im not kolbs biggest fan but i was impressed with his performance though i feel like he made some good throws. just like every1 else i saw the poor decisions . overall tho i thought he was fairly good. jags stunk so hard to gauge anything
but scorp is right d5 can make some of same throws he aint perfect and maybe he would miss more of those type quick hit passes than kolb. but u also wouldnt get 4 bad decisions in 12 throws
so i guess its pick ur poison right about now and eagles brass picked
i thought both qb’s looked good in there debut’s though and donovan missed 1 deep ball but other than that if u were open it was on the numbers. he and chris cooley gonna be problem for the birds
funny thing is tho both bills and jags stink so i wasnt expecting kolb or d5 to play bad
First off, Jackson wasn’t wide open, and no way Mcnabb makes that first pass on time and accurately. We never see him make that slant pass. Secondly, the Eagles used no motion at all to get receivers open, probably because the Eagles play the Jags in week 3 and didn’t want to give anything away. I think Reid will use formations to open up more mismatches…hard to grade Kolb with such a vanilla offense…
Anybody watch that Deer in the Headlights “Brady Quinn” play QB Sunday for the Broncos…
He played like it was his 1st game of his life playing… talk about a bust ….
tim tebow my fav player right now
startem he got heart
bring tebow here to philly please
kevinkolb4SB and it works both ways. The jags didn’t really play defense either. It was a freaking LB on Jackson on the first play of the game and he was wide open. They also didn’t want to show any of their schemes since we play again. Jackson was wide open on another one that Kolb threw behind him Jackson which caused him to be tackled. I’m not making a big deal of it, but I just want to point out the FACTS to people who think any QB will be 100% perfect. In fact, more of Kolb’s throws were either behind the WR and/or incomplete than on the money. But that’s how it is to play QB. Just a lot of people like to overreact especially in Philadelphia.
scorp, you made an excellent point…..Mcnabb never hit T.O. in stride? He never hit DJax in stride?
They placed bums around him his whole career and fans complain about Mcnabbs acccuracy…When he had recievers it seemed the accuracy issue went away..Tell you what…..Kolb must be better. We’re going to win a Superbowl now….Period
Kolb’s throws can be a little behind a receiver and still be caught, unlike Donovan who would rocket it from 5 yards away. Kolb simply throws a more catchable ball, which is usually good, unless he throws a ball that could be picked..
kevinkolb4SB, I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. But please don’t overstate Kolb’s accuracy or McNabb inaccuracy. If Kolb more accurate than Donovan? Yes. But people on here act like every pass McNabb ever ever threw was bad. So I’m just wondering with all the bad receivers how does someone that is such a terrible passer throw for over 30,000 yards. I’m still wondering about that. If you would have checked out the Skins game you would have seen McNabb hitting his receivers on the money. And yes he throws bad passes at times and can throw one that will destroy the turf on the field, but he’s not gonig to throw the INTs that Kolb will throw. I’ll take a dirt ball over an INT anyday of the week. But that’s just me.
Kolb is the Eagles QB for 2010 and beyond, McNabb isn’t, so who cares what McNabb does moving forward, I wish him well but what McNAbb did in the past really doesn’t matter much to this team or franchise any longer…
Paul, speak for yourself….Mcnabb’s success matters to the fans who knows what this garbage team was before he came and will never forget it….WE CARE. I need him to succeed and win a Superbowl to magnify the Eagles incompetence. We cared when the Eagles rolled out Quinton Mikell at press conferences to replace dawk at the mic…..pathetic, if they thought we would be interested and had to pick somebody after alienating their hard hitting corner Sheldon Brown. Now, we are to believe Kolb makes the Eagles better off? He better win a Superbowl….he better keep his team in the playoffs regularly or the move was for nothing at all but another cheap option.
Your getting worse Songs..did you run out of your medication again.. Jiminy crickets