Kolb responds after being called 'scared'

Published Aug. 18, 2012 1:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

After being criticized by Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly following Friday night's preseason game, Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb responded Saturday with comments to the team's official site.

Kelly created a stir when he said Friday night, following a game in which Kolb went 3 for 6 and was sacked three times, once for a safety: "He is skittish. He is scared back there."

Kelly added, "Any time anybody gets close to him, he starts looking at the refs. As a defensive lineman, you love a quarterback like that. He ain't even trying to look at the routes no more. He is paying attention to us, and you ain't going to get nothing done like that."

Kolb, who is competing for the starting job with John Skelton with one preseason game remaining, took issue with those comments.

"Scared? Scared of what?” Kolb said, according to AZCardinals.com. "Taking a hit? I have never been afraid of anyone on the field and that will never change. That includes (Kelly).

"There’s a fine line between holding in the pocket and trying to escape to make a play. Tommy Kelly is too clueless to know the difference. I don’t mind people criticizing my play. Don’t ever question my toughness."

The Cardinals and Raiders do not play in the regular season.