Commentary

Scouts Buzz: Eagles can't protect QB

Originally Published: October 4, 2010
By Matt Williamson | Scouts Inc.
After watching the Week 4 matchups, Scouts Inc. shares these key observations:

1. The Philadelphia Eagles' pass protection is a complete nightmare. Of course Kevin Kolb was very hard to watch after he took over for an injured Michael Vick, but the protection was horrible against the Washington Redskins. But it has been a problem since the preseason and for much of the regular season. The Eagles' blockers were beaten repeatedly Sunday and took backbreaking holding calls. Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo dominated. Vick's amazing athletic ability masked some of the problems, but he also takes an inordinate number of hits as quarterbacks go. That caught up with him in a big way Sunday. Kolb was overwhelmed, and the Eagles' dynamic wide receiver pair was nowhere to be found. Kolb also missed open receivers even when his passing conditions were favorable. Andy Reid surely had a much different game plan for Vick that he had to scrap, and Kolb presumably didn't get many practice reps during the week, but Kolb didn't get the ball out quickly, show decisiveness or inspire any confidence. He played scared. The protection had a lot to do with that. In fact, the Redskins whipped the Eagles in the trenches on both sides of the ball.


To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Matt Williamson

ESPN.com
  • Hosts "Football Today" podcast
  • Joined ESPN in 2005
  • Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE NFL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM