This is what Kevin Kolb had in mind.
The Eagles' third-year quarterback led a dominant performance in the 34-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, notching 327 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown for good measure. And, Kolb did something never before done by an NFL quarterback.
For the first time in NFL history, a quarterback threw for over 300 yards in his first two career starts.
As impressive as that is, Kolb was focused on a different number - zero. As in the number of turnovers by the Eagles' offense.
"That was huge," Kolb said of the protection of the ball. "I want to focus on that this week and I told the guys before the game, we just need to focus on execution. (We) came out, did that pretty well, had a couple of lulls in there, but shoot, the defense was rocking so much that it didn't matter."
After a three and out on the opening series, Kolb led the Eagles on scoring drives on five of the next six possessions, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson. Kolb said the experience of starting last week against the Saints really helped him prepare for the Chiefs.
I was "a lot more relaxed," Kolb said. "All the way from practices to Saturday going up to the hotel.
"This was a good feeling because I got the feel for what it would be like if I'm the starter over a period of time. Last week I was so worked up, so I had some energy there in the fourth quarter and we were able to win another one."
Kolb was the leader of a young offense against the Chiefs that featured two rookies, a second-year player, and third-year player like himself among the skill positions.
"It was an opportunity for us to prove that there was a reason why they drafted us," Kolb said. "We kind of got in the huddle there and when we broke it down one time, we discussed that, hey look, regardless of who's out here, we have talent just like Donovan (McNabb) and Westbrook and Shawn (Andrews) and all those guys have talent. Let's dominate these guys like we know we can. We saw the film, we knew there was going to be some holes there and we were focused on dominating them."
Aside from the lack of turnovers, the other big difference on the field from last week for Kolb was the lack of pressure he faced. After taking some big hits against the Saints, Kolb maintained a clean jersey against the Chiefs, taking no sacks and showing good pocket presence.
"Today I don't even feel like I played a game," Kolb said. "I don't know if I got touched today. So hats off to both the coaches and the offensive line and the backs and the protection, tight ends, everybody. I truly believe if you put a lot of quarterbacks in that situation where they're not going to get touched and they're going to throw for 300 yards."
As the Eagles head into their bye week, Kolb knows that he will resume his role as backup quarterback when Donovan McNabb is healthy enough to play.
"My job was to come in for these two weeks and that will be my job in the future," he said. "I think I have to keep (the mindset of a starter) just because we don't know what (McNabb)'s injury has entailed and so he's shown good progress so far, but if I don't prepare like that and I come back and I am the starter, then I'm all messed up.
"I just want to prepare the same way as I have these last two weeks and like I said before, just keep trying to get better as a quarterback."
Kolb has shown that improvement over the past two weeks, and he's proved that the Eagles are in good hands when McNabb is unable to go. Kolb has proved himself to his teammates, Eagles' fans, and himself.
"It's just confidence that you can get it done at this level in a game-time situation in the regular season," Kolb said on what he takes from the experience. "Although you believe it before, nobody truly knows. And that's why there's so much doubt in the air always with a young player.
"Hopefully, I'll put the past behind me with the mistakes I made before. We can move on with what went on today and I just don't want to relax now. I want to just keep trying to get better in practice, if I'm not getting the game reps then just keep getting better in practice and keep pressing."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 8:13 p.m., September 27
