I have watched the ESPN pre-game show now for so long that I can't remember not watching it. The guys on there say some dumb things each week, but usually offer enough insight that makes watching the show worth it. Last week Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter and Tom Jackson all ripped Kevin Kolb pretty hard. I could live with that. He'd never started a game. Those guys don't follow the draft and knew nothing about him aside from the Ed Reed end zone debacle. I figured Kolb's performance against the Saints would change that.

I tuned in this week and Johnson and Jackson were both saying the same idiotic things. Kolb has no business starting over Vick. Clearly, Vick is the better player and Andy Reid is just playing Kolb because that is his draft pick. Wow. They still weren't taking the guy seriously.

Kolb's teammates sure take him seriously. The sideline erupted after his long touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson in the Saints game. I haven't seen that kind of sideline joy for an early season play in a long time. There were veterans and young guys coming over to congratulate him. Both offensive and defensive players were there. Those guys knew the pressure that Kolb had been under and wanted to let him know that they believed in him and loved the big play. This week, I saw Sheldon Brown come over and celebrate with Kolb after a touchdown. I'm not just talking about a casual slap on the back. There was a real moment of bonding. You don't fake that kind of camaraderie.

I won't get to hear the ESPN guys talk about Kolb anytime soon. McNabb should be healthy enough to take back the starting reins after the bye. Should Kolb get another start, I hope they finally treat him with the respect he deserves. Listen, I'm not saying that Kolb is some great player and is headed for Canton. He's played pretty well in two career starts. My point is that the ""worldwide leader in sports"" shouldn't have a couple of football experts talking about him as though he has no business in the league. There is plenty to be critical about, but you also have to acknowledge the fact that he threw for 391 yards in his first start. How they glossed that over is beyond me.

I also hope that ESPN has figured out that the Vick of 2009 isn't the same guy as we watched tear up the league in his prime of 2004-2006. Vick is still a very talented player, but you don't shake off two years of rust in a month. That just doesn't happen. The analysts' notion that he's the same old guy is way off-base. I'm not sure how they don't understand such a simple fact. Their comments do a disservice to both Kolb and Vick. One player they give no credit to and the other player they are holding to a ridiculously high standard.

This isn't some kind of anti-Eagles bias. Tom Jackson has gone out of his way over the years to be very supportive of McNabb and Westbrook. This simply is faulty thinking from guys that a lot of people listen to. Let's hope they do better in the future. Give Kolb his credit and give Vick some time to get into the flow of things.

To read my complete and detailed recap of the Eagles' 34-14 win over the Chiefs, click here.

-- Posted by Tommy Lawlor, 10:51 a.m., September 29