Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks

In less than one week, rookies and selected veterans will settle in to the dorm rooms at Lehigh University, ready to either begin their Eagle careers, or get them started on the right foot. They may be back in dorm rooms again, but this isn’t college ball anymore. They have to work harder, longer and impress more people to get the playing time they’ve had their entire lives. Even though it’s still baseball season, I think there’s going to be a lot of football on here starting now, and lasting for the duration of the season. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m going to be taking a position by position look at the Eagles heading into the season. I’ll talk about each and every player, their goals in camp and status on the team, highlight position battles and take a look at a projected 53 man roster. Let’s start with the Quarterbacks. Guys will be listed by their ability now, not necessarily who will and won’t make the team. An example of this will be seen later in this QB review.

1. Donovan McNabb. After suffering a serious knee injury against the Titans in 2007, McNabb looks to return healthy in time for 2008. It looks like he’ll be ready to go in camp, but he’s still going to need some rest. There’s still plenty of time before the season starts, so there’s no reason to rush him back. Andy Reid’s not pulling any punches with the offense, it’s going to be the same as it always is. The core of the offense is also still relatively the same, so it’s not like McNabb has to adjust to a new cast. With all the weapons around him, the Eagles can afford for him to take it slow and ease back into action. He’s worked hard to rehab and make it back, so hopefully he can keep that up and start the season. The most important thing for McNabb in camp is to get some reps, especially throwing to Kevin Curtis, and stay healthy.

2. A.J. Feeley. With Jeff Garcia in Tampa, Feeley’s only one play away from getting into the game now. Last year in his limited action against Indianapolis and Atlanta, Feeley did a pretty good job. Playing with mostly backups who don’t see the field much, he threw for a bunch of touchdowns and minimized mistakes. Even though he struggled in his brief stint as a Dolphins starter, he’s always been decent with the Eagles. Gone are the days of McNabb going down and guys like Koy Detmer and Mike McMahon costing the team games. Feeley is more than capable of filling in should McNabb not be ready or if he gets hurt again. He’s going to get some reps with the first team, since McNabb won’t be taking every snap in practice and in the preseason. It’ll be valuable experience.

3. Kelly Holcomb. Acquired in the Takeo Spikes trade as a salary dump from Buffalo, everyone figured he just wouldn’t dress at all this season. Those were the banner days for Holcomb in his Eagle career, because when the team drafted Kevin Kolb, it all but assured he would be cut. He’s an experienced veteran whose statistics indicate he’s very, very mediocre. His career highlight is tearing up the Steelers in a playoff game, which they ended up losing anyway. He would’ve been a good guy to have around for a year, because he provides even more insurance than we already had with Feeley. He’ll be a camp body to take reps while McNabb gets back up to speed, and he’ll probably work closely with Kevin Kolb, helping him get acclimated to the league. If there’s an injury to another QB early, the Eagles could hope a team panics and trades a conditional late round pick for Holcomb or something.

4. Kevin Kolb. The controversial first pick of the Eagles is the worst QB on the roster at the moment, but they’re obviously not going to cut their alleged QB of the future. Kolb will be no more or no less than a clipboard guy this year. He’ll have a chance to get a lot of reps with McNabb recovering from an injury, and that’s a good situation for Kolb. This is the first time in his life he won’t be playing in the spread offense, so taking snaps from behind center will be valuable practice. He’s not going to have to worry about starting a meaningful game for a couple years, so he can take his time on learning the offense and improving his skills.

5. Koy Detmer? No. He won’t be joining the team again this year.

Position Battles: There aren’t any. Everyone’s roles are already defined.

The Eagles have a settled QB situation. As I just mentioned, everyone knows exactly what’s expected of them this season. They have a top of the line starter in McNabb, a good backup, a kid for the future and insurance. This is one of the least interesting positions heading into camp because there isn’t competition for any roles.