I've been out of pocket for the past few days covering the Penn Relays, so this comes a few days late...
You gotta hand it to the Eagles. At least they have some cahones.
It may be pure stupidity on their part to draft quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick of the draft (in the second round), but it was definately gutsy.
Why not just slap Donovan McNabb in the face and say, "We think you're injury prone and will be out of the league in the next three years. We have to start preparing for the future now."
I have absolutely no problem with the Eagles drafting a quarterback. I thought it was something they needed to do at some point. Just not with the first pick in the second round, especially on a guy who would probably still be available in the third or fourth rounds.
Kolb was a solid QB for Houston last year, breaking almost every passing and offensive record the Cougars had. He completed 61.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 12,964 yards and 106 touchdowns (including rushing TDs). And he was a four-year starter for the Cougars, which says a lot.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the Patriots (my new archnemisis) took Miami safety Brandon Meriweather in the first round, they decided to trade down and go with the highest player on their board. Are you telling me that out of all the players available in the draft, Kevin Kolb was No. 3 on your board behind Meriweather and Texas safety Michael Griffin?
Out of all the needs the Eagles have (short yardage running back, linebacker, safety), a QB was the next best thing available? Why not draft a Brian Leonard (RB, Rutgers) or Michael Bush (RB, Louisville) or something other than a quarterback.
The Eagles should have been drafting for next year, not five years down the road.
I guess all this really means is bye-bye Kelly Holcomb.
Draft Notes
How 'Bout Them ... Cleveland Browns?
The Dog Pound may have had the best first round in years, managing to land not only the top offensive tackle in the draft (Wicsonsin's Joe Thomas), but one of the top quarterbacks, too (Notre Dame's Brady Quinn).
And how about the front office calling Quinn on Friday and telling him that they were not going to take him with the third pick. That's a class act.
Quinn did have the moment of the draft when the camera was on him as the Dolphins selected Ohio State's Ted Ginn, Jr (and how about Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron announcing his pick to the fans. I was waiting for them to start tossing dead fish at him). As Brady mouthed "that was surprising," everyone knew he was going to be in for the long haul.
But it all worked out for golden boy. He ended up going to the Browns, his hometown team, anyway. And he did handle all the media pressure very well for a kid just coming out of college.
Now, the only thing he has to learn is to not chew gum while going on to the stage to get his jersey and hat. Didn't they teach that to him in elementary school?
Are Wide Receivers Worthless now?
Randy Moss goes from Oakland to New England for a fourth-round pick. Darrell Jackson moves from Seattle to San Francisco for a fourth-round pick.
Why not just trade them for cases of beer? At least you can have an immediate impact there.
Just Cancel the NFL Season and Give the Pats the Superbowl
Not only do the Patriots have one of the top three quartebacks in the league, Tom Brady. Not only do they have one of the most gifted coaches in the the league, Bill Belichick. Not only do they have one of the most up-and-coming RBs in the league, Laurence Maroney. But now they have one of the most formidable linebacking corps in the league, Adelius Thomas, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrable and Roosevelt Colvin. And one of the most dangerous wide receiving corps in the league, Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney.
All I can say is that I'm glad New England's in the AFC.
-PB
