Vick installed as Eagles QB

I could hardly believe my ears when it was announced that Michael Vick would start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles during this week's game in Jacksonville. Philly fans have always loved the back-up until he becomes the starter. Vick is arguably playing QB better than anyone in the league and his duel run/pass threat is a nightmare for any defensive coach.

However head coach Andy Ried stated on Monday that Kevin Kolb was his man. Now, in a sudden change of heart, they back track. This sounds like the decision clearly came from ownership and from the locker room. It is also a sign that Ried may be nearing the end of his run in Philadelphia. Never a good thing when the owner overrules the coach

I don’t know this for fact, but no coach has ever changed his mind in two days without it being from the bosses. This also opens up trade opportunities. Not for Vick, but Kolb. There has always been interest in Kolb by the Browns, while Minnesota would certainly be a candidate as well. Vikings coach Childress is the former Eagles offensive coach and would love to have Kolb come to the Vikings as their future. Kolb still has two years remaining on his contract that included a $10 million signing bonus, but that really doesn’t prevent a trade from occurring.

The Browns' GM is the guy who drafted Kolb and they certainly need a starting QB. Kolb is ready to perform now and there is no learning curve for any team to hope he develops into a starting QB. The Eagles still have to be concerned with the high rated of injuries in the NFL especially at the QB position. The Eagles are in an impossible situation right now. Starting Kolb infuriated the ownership and Ried would lose the locker room. If I were Kolb, there is no doubt that I would certainly go to management and ask them to work out a trade before the October 19 deadline.

Now, on the clearly perplexing side of the recent press conferences. Remeber that this is the same head coach that trade 11-year veteran McNabb to the divisional rival Redskins and stated that Kolb was more than ready to be the future of the franchise. Now, after a poor half of football where 80 percent of the mistakes Kolb made were attributed to teammates not executing, he is clearly not the man.

Moreover, during that first half, Vick was shuttled in on nearly 30 percent of the offensive plays. So, how can any QB truly get a feel for the flow of the game and be able to perform at maximum levels? The answer is simple. No one can. The last straw I needed to remove any doubt that Ried is a complete puppet was when he attempted to state that this would be a positive for “his kid Kolb.” That being on the sideline for a fourth year would enable him to progress his knowledge of the game.

Well, Guess what. Minnesota and Cleveland have immediate needs for his talents and playing ability. They recognize that he is a pure pocket passing QB with tremendous accuracy and arm strength. The Eagles may win now, but if Vick has a pro-bowl season do you really think for a second he is gong to stay in Philadelphia since he will be a free agent? Then the Eagles can start a second year QB from Wisconsin as their franchise QB of the future in 2012.