Vick to get franchise tag, Kolb on trading block

[CrimsonGhost56]

The Eagles plan to use the franchise tag on quarterback Michael Vick and listen to trade offers for backup Kevin Kolb, according to a report, confirming two moves that have long been expected.

It has been reported for some time that franchising Vick was not only likely but necessary to keep the Pro Bowl quarterback in Philadelphia. ESPN cited a "league source" in reporting Sunday that Vick will be franchised, indicating that the team has definitively decided to bring back the quarterback in 2011.

A league source confirmed the report Sunday night.

"You know what? It is what it is," Vick told The Inquirer Sunday after the NFC's lopsided win in the Pro Bowl. "It's great to know they did want to have me around for another year. I'm going to make the most of it, and I'm going to do everything that I'm asked to do, continue to put myself in the position to excel, and help this team win. That's the most important thing - have a better year this year coming up than last year."

In theory, Vick could have hit the free-agent market once a new collective bargaining agreement was signed, although there has never been any indication that the Eagles would let Vick walk.

ESPN also reported that the Eagles would listen to trade offers for Kolb but did not cite a source. With Vick widely expected to return, though, the logical move for the Eagles is to at least listen to offers for their backup. Asked about the accuracy of the report on both Vick and Kolb, the team had no comment.

"Well, that's a part of the business," Vick said of the possibility that Kolb will be traded. "Hopefully they do [trade Kolb] and Kevin will find a great place to play. If not, then maybe he'll end up back with us. So best of luck to Kevin and whatever they decide, and I'll talk to him."

To keep Vick from free agency, the Eagles would have to use the franchise tag, at least temporarily, a league source told The Inquirer. Because Vick hit contract incentives in 2010 that pushed his salary above 30 percent of his 2009 pay, the Eagles can't extend his deal.

The limit is part of contract rules in place due to the NFL's expiring collective bargaining agreement. Even if the Eagles eventually want to offer a long-term contract, they have to use the franchise tag first.

NFL officials said last week that they expect a franchise tag - or some similar mechanism for keeping star players - to remain in place even though the current labor deal ends March 3. The franchise tag allows teams to prevent a player from reaching free agency and requires that the team pay the average of the top five salaries at that position.

It has been unclear to this point what the Eagles planned to do with Kolb: keep him as a backup for one more year or deal him while they could still get something in return.

Kolb, with a relatively low salary for a quarterback of $1.4 million next season, could be attractive to teams who need a new signal-caller, while the Eagles, who have invested four years in him, stand to lose Kolb for nothing after his contract ends after the 2011-12 season. Kolb has said he wants to be a starter next season, which would mean finding a new team.

Vick's aggressive style, though, means he takes more hits than many quarterbacks, so the Eagles will also want a viable backup on hand, which could drive up the price to pry Kolb loose.

ESPN reported that the Eagles are willing to trade Kolb if the right deal is offered. In the Eagles' favor: Kolb won two of three games he started and finished last season. Also, this year's quarterback draft class is considered weak.

Unless a new CBA is worked out, though, player movement will likely be frozen when the new league year begins March 4. If an NFL lockout begins that day, as expected, the Eagles wouldn't be able to deal Kolb until a new agreement is signed, which might mean waiting until after the 2011 draft. In that case, the Eagles would most likely receive draft picks in 2012.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...t_franchise_tag__Kolb_to_go_on_the_block.html

 

[packersfan4eva]

Kolb's gonna start wherever he gets traded. I'm calling it.

 

[EmpireWF]

Kolb's gonna start wherever he gets traded. I'm calling it.

lmao

big leap there. Why would anyone trade for him and make him their back-up?

 

[Primetime]

lmao

big leap there. Why would anyone trade for him and make him their back-up?

Exactly.

I hope the Vikings don't trade for him. I don't want them to get a decently polished quarterback this offseason. I'd rather see them get McNabb or a guy from the draft.

 

[Tengo Juego]

Exactly.

I hope the Vikings don't trade for him. I don't want them to get a decently polished quarterback this offseason. I'd rather see them get McNabb or a guy from the draft.

They really are just a QB away from being back in the NFC North fight.

 

[Wrath]

I am and ealges fan but I hope the Eagles get what they deserve if they give up on Kolb. I am personally sick and tired of trying to back a team that doesn't care about anything but selling tickets and jerseys. We will never win with a scrambling , running QB. Vick is fools gold as he proved in the playoff game verse Greenbay.

If you gave Kolb the whole season we would have had basically the same result. One playoff game and one loss. Kolb doesn't have Vicks arms or legs but he's very mature, hardworker, and after being here for 4 years he deserved a shot. Kolb honestly reminds me of a young Troy Aikman. He'll never be spectacular but he will be STEADY and CONSISTANT. That is what wins in the NFL. Why isn't that good enough with an improved offensive line?

Go ahead and give him to a team like the Vikes or 49ers and watch him become a good NFL starting QB while Vick rehabs from a broken leg and Vince Young is the starting QB. That will be just great for Madden............

 

[BrntO4Life]

Exactly.

I hope the Vikings don't trade for him. I don't want them to get a decently polished quarterback this offseason. I'd rather see them get McNabb or a guy from the draft.

Hopefully the Vikings snap up Vince Young. He and Peterson together could be fun.

 

[ram29jackson]

none of it matters, the Eagles will never win a Super Bowl with Vick

 

[Deviant]

I am and ealges fan but I hope the Eagles get what they deserve if they give up on Kolb. I am personally sick and tired of trying to back a team that doesn't care about anything but selling tickets and jerseys. We will never win with a scrambling , running QB. Vick is fools gold as he proved in the playoff game verse Greenbay.

If you gave Kolb the whole season we would have had basically the same result. One playoff game and one loss. Kolb doesn't have Vicks arms or legs but he's very mature, hardworker, and after being here for 4 years he deserved a shot. Kolb honestly reminds me of a young Troy Aikman. He'll never be spectacular but he will be STEADY and CONSISTANT. That is what wins in the NFL. Why isn't that good enough with an improved offensive line?

Go ahead and give him to a team like the Vikes or 49ers and watch him become a good NFL starting QB while Vick rehabs from a broken leg and Vince Young is the starting QB. That will be just great for Madden............

He got a shot. Multiple shots. He played like crap and got concussed against Green Bay and Mike Vick outperformed him. He got a chance again when Vick went down and he got to start. He played... alright. He was serviceable. But, he wasn't anywhere near as good as Vick.

The Eagles didn't give up on him, they put the better quarterback in over him. It's not about the style of quarterback.

So, he lost in the playoffs. It's not as if the team that beat them went on to steamroll the #1 seed in the playoffs. Kevin Kolb wouldn't have done better. The team would have been average at best with Kolb at the reins. Give me Superman over consistently average.

Kevin Kolb = Matt Schaub 2.0

 

[shag773]

I'm not sure why you move Kolb at this point. IIRC he's only getting a million for next year. Even the biggest Vick fans know there is a very real chance he will not play all 16 games next year.

As someone that has watched every snap Kolb has taken both pre and postseason, I know Kolb can play. He knows this offense inside and out. I'm not sure what value he has in the trade market, maybe some of the mock drafters have an idea.

If they move Kolb, then I think this takes some pressure of Vick, which will be a huge test for him. If he gets complacent, I wonder if he falls back into those bad habits from the past.

 

[Wrath]

I'm not sure why you move Kolb at this point. IIRC he's only getting a million for next year. Even the biggest Vick fans know there is a very real chance he will not play all 16 games next year.

As someone that has watched every snap Kolb has taken both pre and postseason, I know Kolb can play. He knows this offense inside and out. I'm not sure what value he has in the trade market, maybe some of the mock drafters have an idea.

If they move Kolb, then I think this takes some pressure of Vick, which will be a huge test for him. If he gets complacent, I wonder if he falls back into those bad habits from the past.

Very good points dude.

 

[manchild24]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that "at least" three NFL teams are considering a trade for Kevin Kolb.
The 49ers, Cardinals, Titans, and Redskins are among the most likely suitors for Kolb, and Schefter confirms that "every NFC West team except St. Louis" should be in the mix. If a CBA is struck before the draft, it sounds like the Eagles are going to have more than enough suitors to drive up Kolb's price tag. It's very conceivable that they could end up with a top-ten pick.

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that "at least" three NFL teams are considering a trade for Kevin Kolb.
The 49ers, Cardinals, Titans, and Redskins are among the most likely suitors for Kolb, and Schefter confirms that "every NFC West team except St. Louis" should be in the mix. If a CBA is struck before the draft, it sounds like the Eagles are going to have more than enough suitors to drive up Kolb's price tag. It's very conceivable that they could end up with a top-ten pick.

I wouldn't give a top 10 for Kolb but that's just me.

 

[kbpsu]

Top 10 for Kolb???? "Fuck my face" -Hank Moody

 

[Raidersabc123]

Very good points dude.

didn't you say Kolb was better than McNabb because Kolb had better college numbers

 

[St. Francisco]

A top 10 for Kolb is absolutely laughable.

 

[Woy]

I swear to God if you trade for him Mike Reinfeldt...

 

[Obst]

The Eagles front office should be put in jail for theft if they get a top 10 pick for Kevin Kolb. Lock them up for life if they get Arizona's pick and turn it into Patrick Peterson.

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

Vick was awesome last season. He learned to pass a football with touch in prison, I swear ya'll. And he has those wheels to boot.

Because he was tired of catching. :smughard:

 

[SHOGUN]

The thought of giving up more than a fourth round pick makes me ill as it is, but I'll go to Arizona myself and shoot Rod Graves where he stands if he trades that first round pick for Kevin Kolb.