If Kolb can someday say the same thing regarding football, then the Eagles' decision to cast off McNabb and keep Kolb will be praised universally. But until then, McNabb's considerable shadow will hang over Eagles Nation, as it did during the first camp day "After Donovan."
Even on the day when Kolb publicly assumed the controls for the first time, looking sharp in doing so, McNabb's presence could still be felt. The crowds seemed lighter than usual for a camp opener and there were still more No. 5 jerseys than No. 4s.
When Kolb walked onto the Lehigh University practice field, he said there were no jitters, but he could sense that the fans are still in wait-and-see mode.
"There is a sense of the unknown a little bit, so everybody's anxious to see what we got, including ourselves," he said.
It didn't take long for Kolb to win over the crowd. Drill after drill, the 25-year-old connected with rookie receivers he may never throw to again after the preseason. A deep ball to rookie Riley Cooper merited an "attaboy, Kevin," from a fan.
Still, it was hard not to compare Kolb to the man who held down the quarterback spot for 11 years. If McNabb is a tad too loose at times, Kolb can be robotic. Repetition can do that to a quarterback. And Kolb knows he sometimes has to slow himself down.
"Especially when there's not a lot of [veterans at camp], like we have right now," Kolb said. "Those guys need a break, and I'm kind of a fast worker. I like to get things done."
Rookie tight end Clay Harbor was often the recipient of Kolb's early work, with the two hooking up over the middle on several occasions.
