Dave Razzano talks about Philadelphia Eagles QBs Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb.
Dave Razzano is a former NFL scout and Playmaker Mobile correspondent with more than 22 years of professional scouting experience with the San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals under NFL coaches including Bill Walsh, George Seifert, Chuck Knox and Dick Vermeil. He's been a part of five Super Bowls with three Super Bowl wins (49ers, 1989, 1990; Rams, 2000).
Interview with Dave Razzano by Dewey Hammond.
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Q: Was it the correct decision to start Michael Vick?
A: I think it's an absolute no-brainer, and this is why they signed him, for free basically. Barely cost them a dime. I'm sure a lot of teams pretty soon could be regretting not giving him the time of day before. The guy did his time, and you're talking about a guy who is dynamic. He can be erratic but he's also dynamic. Kevin Kolb is going to be the guy, but after his concussion Vick came in and played better than he's ever played maybe. Now that he's more mature and doesn't have the pressure of being the starter placed on him, it's scary with that supporting cast how good Vick could be. I'm sure the coaching staff had every intention of putting Kolb back in until they really sat down and looked at the tape and thought, 'Geez, this guy looks like Steve Young.' So Kolb is part of the future plans but right now you have to go with the hot hand. Can you imagine if you played Kolb and he didn't do very well, and you've got Vick coming off that performance? Let Vick play, let Kolb recuperate, and if Vick continues to succeed you keep him in until he falters, if he ever does. It's a great situation to be in and it's why having a very good backup is key in this business.
Q: What are the chances that in week eight or nine Vick will still be the starter?
A: It's really a week-to-week situation in this league. You can't look too far into the future. With Michael Vick there and that supporting cast he was on fire. With their offensive line suspect, Vick can scramble. Andy Reid is great at handling players, and I'm sure Kolb will understand that he's in their future plans. You need two good ones. You have to have two good ones. And this is Michael Vick we're talking about. Kolb really hasn't had a chance yet, which means, potential aside, he hasn't proven himself, he hasn't really played yet, and right now you've got the hot hand in Michael Vick. You've got to take it week by week.
Q: If they're both healthy, is Kolb in your book still the starter?
A: I don't know about that. If Vick continues to play lights-out and they're winning games, it's a good problem to have and you've got to take it week to week. If you have a proven guy, it's different, but Kolb is unproven. I think he's going to be good but he hasn't done it yet, and if you've got another guy with a history it's a different story. Normally you'd have to give up a high pick or two to get Michael Vick, but the Eagles got him free off the street, and they were ecstatic when they did. If Vick stumbles they can always pull him for Kolb and see what he can do, but if Kolb stumbles after the performance Vick had last week, I don't think it'd be good to pull Kolb. If you put Kolb in now, you invite so much more controversy if he doesn't play well.
Q: Kolb is a pocket passer. Vick is a lighting bolt. In the coming weeks the Eagles play Jacksonville, Washington, San Francisco… how do each of these QBs match up against those teams?
A: When Vick is on his "A" game, he is the best QB on the Eagles. You just don't know if he'll always bring his "A" game. He's inconsistent from week to week. But it's always tougher to prepare for Michael Vick. You have to contain him. He's explosive and elusive. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, Vick will always present problems that Kolb or any other QB don't present. He's got so much athletic ability. If he can make plays on the fly, it's going to pose problems for every team on their schedule. All the teams facing Michael Vick are disappointed it's not Kevin Kolb. I like Kolb a lot but he hasn't done it yet and he's easier to define. Michael Vick looks like he's in his prime again. If the Eagles have Michael Vick in his prime, that is scary. Granted, it was the Lions, but it's still a luxury that the Eagles have, and their upcoming opponents are not happy about it.
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