Flashes in the Pan

The pressure is on Kevin Kolb this season to pick up where Donovan McNabb left off. It won't be easy. McNabb holds every career passing record for the Birds except interceptions. Here are two Eagles QBs who failed to win the starting job when they had the chance:

Bobby Hoying, 1996-98: In 1997, his second NFL season, Hoying replaced Ty Detmer and started the final six games, going 2-3-1 and throwing 11 TDs and 6 interceptions.

In 1998, Hoying was the starter on opening day. He started seven games but went 1-6 and threw nine interceptions and no touchdowns. He was replaced by rookie Koy Detmer and vet Rodney Peets, and the Birds ended up 3-13.

Hoying was traded to Oakland before the 1999 season. He played in 16 games for the Eagles and had a QB rating of 64.8.

Mike Boryla, 1974-76: In 1974, the rookie Boryla replaced Roman Gabriel as the starter and won three games to close the 7-7 season, becoming the first Eagles QB since Adrian Burk in 1951 to win his first three starts.

In 1975, Boryla and Gabriel led the Birds to a 4-10 season, but Boryla played in the Pro Bowl after six other QBs turned down the offer. He threw two TD passes in the fourth quarter to spark a 23-20 NFC win.

Boryla started 10 games for the 4-10 1976 Eagles, but his career in Philly ended when the Birds acquired Ron Jaworski in March 1977. Boryla played in 22 games for the Eagles and had a QB rating of 58.2.