The great Michael Vick debate reignited just in time for the lull provided by the baseball All-Star break.
While the Phils have been away, the talk surrounding the Eagles troubled backup QB has continued to simmer.
Something happened yesterday, however, that regardless of your feelings on Vick, could bode well for the team.
The Eagles’ brass has been pretty much silent on the birthday party and subsequent shooting outside a Virginia nightclub that has Vick’s life back under the microscope.
Our own Jack McCaffery this week noted that since Jeff Lurie pledged to outraged fans that Vick would be on a very short leash, so to speak, the owner now should cut the cord over this latest flap. Lurie has had nothing to say about the latest Vick affair. Ditto for Joe Banner. Andy Reid has said only that he was aware of the issue.
But yesterday a new voice was heard. It came from the team’s new leader.
Kevin Kolb is now filling the gaping void left by the Birds’ brass. Kolb came to Vick’s defense, saying he’s one of his best friends on the team and rallying behind his backup.
In doing so, Kolb takes a dramatic step in putting his stamp on the 2010 Eagles, and easily becomes the voice of the locker room.
I can’t imagine Donovan McNabb stepping into such a void left by management.
There is, however, one down side to this issue. Kolb is talking a very good game. Now he must play one as well. Based on what he did last year, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.
However, should Kolb struggle and the Birds get off to a shaky start, it will be very interesting to see if that very short leash the Eagles have on their backup QB suddenly gets a little looser.
If Kolb does not play well, make no mistake, the fans will voice their plea for Vick.
For now, Kolb is the man, and he’s standing by his pal, his backup.
Meet the new leader of the pack. His name is Kevin Kolb.
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