Here’s what passed for conventional wisdom last month when Andy Reid named Michael Vick the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles: Reid did irreparable damage to the psyche of Donovan McNabb‘s designated successor, Kevin Kolb. And now that you made that decision, Andy Reid, you can’t go back.
Really?
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Well, here’s what the fragile, slighted, skittish Kolb accomplished Sunday. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-17 victory over NFC powerhouse (by default) Atlanta. Imagine what Kolb would have done if Reid hadn’t ruined him for life.
Memo to the conventional wis-dummies: It’s the NFL. Things change faster than the slumber party participants on “Jersey Shore.”
No, this isn’t a story of a phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s a quarterback who, two months ago, nearly everyone in Philadelphia was anxious to see under center instead of McNabb or Vick. It’s the case of a 26-year-old with a promising future thriving in Reid’s pass-friendly system. So don’t be surprised.
Kolb struggled when Vick was hurt two weeks ago and was thrust into action against the Redskins. But with a week to prepare for a start at San Francisco, Kolb excelled in a 27-24 win.
Then against the Falcons, Kolb needed just eight snaps to produce two touchdowns and a 14-0 lead that was never challenged. After his primary target, DeSean Jackson, was knocked out of the game by a bone-rattling hit on the second play of the second quarter, Kolb turned to Jeremy Maclin, who produced seven receptions, 159 yards and two touchdowns.
After the game, Reid stood by his man, saying Vick was the starter. But Reid made the same declaration earlier this year about Kolb, only to run a reverse.
“Andy’s the man in charge. He makes all decisions, and he makes good ones,” Kolb said after the game. “We trust that. We believe in it. Whatever [decision] he makes here, we’ll go with it.”
One thing Reid shouldn’t worry about is damaging the confidence of the quarterback he chooses to sit.
