Text size:

Eagles' Reid takes no chances

Rests starters: Bench players get all the reps in loss to Jets.

By Larry O'Rourke Of The Morning Call

August 29, 2008

| Eagles coach Andy Reid took the safe route Thursday night in opting to rest his entire first team in the preseason finale against the New York Jets, a decision that also gave the Lincoln Financial Field crowd a long look at Kevin Kolb.

Kolb, the 2007 second-round pick and heir apparent to Donovan McNabb at quarterback, completed 13 of 21 passes for 138 yards and led the Eagles on scoring drives that produced a touchdown and two field goals in the first half.

Veteran backup A.J. Feeley played the last two quarters in the Eagles' 27-20 loss.

''It was my first start, and although it's the preseason and the starters weren't out there with me, it's still big for me,'' Kolb said. ''It breaks me in slowly to hopefully what I'm going to be one day.''

Kolb said that he has ''no doubt'' that he will be ready if called on to fill in for McNabb, who during the last three years missed 15 regular-season games because of injuries.

''I think I have progressed every game throughout the preseason,'' Kolb said. ''That was my goal. If I can continue to do that, hopefully, I'll have a great career here.

''The biggest thing now is not to regress. I've gotten progressively better; I just can't regress when I'm sitting on the sidelines.''

Kolb's best play was a 25-yard pass to Hank Baskett. Kolb avoided a would-be sacker by moving up in the pocket, then placed the pass perfectly to Baskett between two Jets defenders.

''I think we have a good situation, because Kevin can play, and A.J. has proven he can,'' Reid said. ''I have no problem putting Kevin in there now.''

Kolb did not have the benefit of throwing passes to DeSean Jackson, the rookie second-round pick who had a team-leading 16 catches for 189 yards in the first three preseason games.

With Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown sidelined by injuries, Jackson is at least the defacto No. 1 receiver.

Jackson also did not take the field to return punts.

''larry.orourke@mcall.com

610-820-6779