Thanks To Philly, Kolb ‘Numb’ To Controversy

It’s hard to believe less than a year has passed since the Eagles traded Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals.

At the time, it seemed like Kolb would finally get his chance. After sitting patiently behind Donovan McNabb, suffering an injury in the first game of the 2011 season and getting passed over for Michael Vick, Kolb signed a six-year, $65M contract and appeared set to be the Cardinals’ signal-caller for years to come.

But things didn’t exactly go according to plan.

Kolb again battled through injuries, starting nine games, while completing just 57.7 percent of his passes to go along with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. John Skelton’s number’s were horrible – 54.9 percent completions, 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions – but the Cardinals were 5-2 with him as the starter (you may recall one of those games at the Linc).

This season, the two quarterbacks will battle it out for the starting job, and former player Willie McGinest recently said on NFL Network that Cardinals players seem to prefer Skelton. But Kolb, as he did while with the Eagles, is trying to keep his cool and earn his spot.

“I started in Philly,” Kolb said, per Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. “I got drafted behind Donovan McNabb. So I walked into controversy. Then (Michael) Vick came in behind me. More controversy. And now this.

“I’m just numb to it. I’ve been through so much stuff I’m just numb to it now. It’s such a luxury because I don’t have to worry about everything. I’m mature enough to say, it’ll wash right off. I’ll just play my game and it’ll be fine.”

In Philadelphia, Kolb actually never competed for the starting job during training camp. But now he’ll have training camp and the preseason to prove he gives the Cardinals their best chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.