Should the Jaguars trade for Kevin Kolb?
Now that news has broke that the Eagles plan on franchising Michael Vick and will trade QB Kevin Kolb, the internet is abuzz with potential landing spots. Until he was injured in Week One, it was widely expected Kolb would take over for Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. However, he got injured, Michael Vick stepped in, and we all know the rest.
So now the question becomes, should the Jaguars be interested in Kolb and what would it take to get him from the Eagles?
Some are arguing that Kolb would be a better investment than any of the rookie QBs available in the draft. After all, Kolb has started several NFL games at this point and has shown he has the goods. Well, has he?
Kolb started or played substantially in 6 games this year for the Eagles. In 3 of those games, he had a completion percentage of less than 55%. In fact, he really only had 2 games you could call good in 2010. A Week 5 win over San Francisco, going 21-31, 257 yards, 1 TD and a Week 6 win over Atlanta going 23-29, 327 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
Kolb did have two impressive games in place in Donovan McNabb in 2009, but when you look at the competition, were they than impressive? In Week 2, the Eagles were down by a bunch to the Saints and had to throw on every down. In Week 3, he took on a Chiefs defense that was almost as bad as the Jaguars.
Keep in mind this is in Andy Reid’s offense, which puts passing at a premium and has high percentage throws a plenty. Speaking of Andy Reid, it still bothers me some that he was that quick to give up on Kolb. After one good game by Vick, Kolb went from heir apparent to trade bait. Few people know QBs better than Reid, if Kolb really had “it”, wouldn’t Kolb still have been the Eagles starter?
The other big question is what will the Eagles want for Kolb? Let’s take a look at other back up QB trades over the years
Rob Johnson: Jaguars received 1st and 4th round picks
Matt Hasselbeck: Green Bay and Seattle swap 1st round picks, Green Bay gets additional 3rd round pick
Matt Schaub: Falcons received 2 2nd round picks, Texans and Falcons swap 1st round picks
Matt Cassel: Patriots received a 2nd round pick
Reports came out before the trade deadline that the Eagles wanted two first round picks for Kolb. If that is true, and that is still what Philadelphia wants, then Kolb is going to remain an Eagle. Now, if the Eagles soften this to just one first round pick or several lower round picks, then I’m sure they’ll be getting phone calls.
Kevin Kolb is certainly an intriguing player and I’m sure some NFL team will make the trade for him if the price is right. However, I’m not convinced just because he has been in the NFL he’ll be a safer investment than any of the rookie QBs in the draft. I see a guy who is statistically streaky and a guy one the real QB gurus in this league dropped at the first sign of trouble.
In our hurry to show David Garrard the door, let’s make sure whoever the team brings in will provide a real upgrade instead of a different coat of paint.
