2007 NFL Draft: Kevin Kolb Soars With The Eagles

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

At an even six feet in height, Kevin Kolb isn't as tall as most NFL quarterbacks. But he's close enough, and he carries his 218 pounds well and has a strong arm, so he's definitely nowhere close to undersized.

His numbers, however, are oversized.

As a true freshman at Houston, Kolb threw for 3,131 yards and 25 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 3,000 yard barrier again last year as a senior. More impressively, though, his 25 scoring strikes were countered by just three interceptions. That's an accuracy rate any signal caller that has ever played football will take.

"You want stability at this position," says Kolb. "In the game of football you need to have stability."

Kevin Kolb drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 23, 2004.

Kolb says he looks up to a pair of current NFL quarterbacks, but for different reasons: one for his intensity, the other for his determination.

"Brett Favre is someone I really look up to because he has a passion for the game and so do I," Kolb said. "I also like Drew Brees because he always battles back, and I feel like my style is like that, too. Those two guys are great."

Whether Kolb will earn playing time in the NFL - or a roster spot on a team, for that matter - remains to be seen. He's off to a good start - the Eagles made him their second-round draft choice in this spring's NFL Draft. Among other things, he'll have to prove he can learn and master new offensive schemes.

"I had the same system in high school and college. So, essentially, I was in the same system for eight years and that was obviously helpful to my career," he says. "When you get into a new system it can be tough, but you have to mold yourself into it and try to feel as comfortable as you possibly can under center."

Kolb thinks NFL coaches understand that most rookies need to be brought along slowly.

"The reality is that there's a learning curve at the quarterback position," he says. "Sitting out is tough, but it enables you to learn and be a better player down the road. That's where your team comes into play. You're not going to get playing time right from the start."

Besides, the quarterback knows he can trust his arm.

"I'm comfortable making every throw," he says.

Yet, says Kolb, high school football quarterbacks probably work so much on their arm strength that they neglect other areas that need attention.

"It's a matter of what else you bring to the table," he explains. "Your leadership skills and character are important. Know how to treat people right. Know how to motivate your team and make sure a coach doesn't have to tell you more than once what you're doing wrong. Rely on your coaches. They can give you a lot of good help. You want to put forth your best effort on the playing field."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.