National Football League

Eagles ready to block for either QB

Published Oct. 16, 2010 11:09 a.m. ET

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The quarterback position for the Philadelphia Eagles has turned into a carousel this season.

One week it is former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who has missed two games with a rib injury. The next week it is Kevin Kolb, last year's back-up and the starter in the season opener. Not until Friday did Eagles coach Andy Reid determine that Kolb will start against the Falcons on Sunday.

But to Philadelphia guard Max Jean-Gilles, a 6-foot-3, 358-pound five-year pro from the University of Georgia, it doesn't matter who starts.

"Whoever is back there, we have to protect them," Jean-Gilles said.

Jean-Gilles has had a front-row seat for the Philadelphia quarterback saga. The Eagles started the season with Kolb until he suffered a concussion during a Week 1 loss to Green Bay. Vick started the next two games and then was named the permanent starter by Reid.

Kolb, though, will start his second straight game Sunday after Vick was forced into an early exit when suffering a rib injury during a 17-12 loss to the Washington Redskins on Oct. 3.

Jean-Gilles didn't go into the season expecting to be part of a quarterback controversy, but he is not surprised. In the past, former quarterback Donovan McNabb was constantly scrutinized by Philadelphia fans and media.

"That comes with the territory in Philadelphia," he said. "It would be news if we didn't have a quarterback controversy."

Jean-Gilles said each quarterback requires different schemes and thinking from the line.

Vick is arguably the best running quarterback in NFL history. Eagles linemen know they don't have to hold their blocks for long when he is in the game because of his elusiveness.

However, there is also an element of the unknown when Vick drops back to pass because they don't know when and where he is going to run.

Kolb is more of a pocket passer than Vick, waiting on pass routes to develop. The linemen know where he is going to be most of the time.

Opponents must worry about containment when they blitz Vick. Defensive ends have to be careful about not going too far up the field and allowing him an escape route.

"It's a little bit of give and take with Vick, because if they blitz and we pick it up, he is a threat to break out," Jean-Gilles said.

Opponents are more traditional with their blitzes against Kolb --- heavy pressure from the outside --- because they aren't worried about his ability to escape.

Jean-Gilles said each player has his own strengths and weaknesses, which the Eagles have learned to use to their advantage offensively.

"I think we have two of the best quarterbacks in the league," he said.

Regardless of who starts, Jean-Gilles expects a tough test from the Falcons on Sunday. He expects Atlanta to blitz a lot and constantly attack the line of scrimmage.

"The Falcons just try to bring havoc in your backfield," he said.

Next for Falcons

Who: at Eagles

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV; radio: Fox; 92.9

Sunday's key NFL games

Browns at Steelers, 1 p.m.: Ben Roethlisberger's return adds some intrigue to this one. Rookie Colt McCoy will start at quarterback for Cleveland.

Ravens at Patriots, 1 p.m.: No Randy Moss for the vaunted Baltimore defense to worry about. But Tom Brady's still there.

Cowboys at Vikings, 4:15 p.m.: This is being billed as the "Panic Bowl" since both teams, thought to be Super Bowl contenders, are 1-3. One will be in big trouble.

Colts at Redskins, 8:20 p.m.: Who would have thought in the preseason that this game would pit division leaders?

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