When John Skelton was named the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, many wondered how Kevin Kolb would react. Would he lash out against the coaching staff and be content in riding the bench for the remainder of his contract? Or would he use it as a motivational tool to help better himself?
I always assumed the latter, but it's difficult to judge someone when they are put into that type of circumstance. So when Jess and the other media talked to him after practice on Monday, we finally got a chance to hear some of what he had to say. And as I assumed, he seems to be willing and ready when called upon.
When asked about losing the starting job, Kolb seemed somewhat downtrodden, but he quickly turned the negative into a positive.
"It's disappointing, that's obvious. But one thing I learned is this league is full of surprises and you just keep pressing forward. If you take time to sulk or feel sorry for yourself, you can get left behind and opportunities can pass you by," Kolb said.
These are the types of things you want to hear from your backup QB. He acknowledged that he was defeated, even if he was "surprised" by the outcome, but he isn't going to let it hang over his head. Being prepared is the best possible thing that he can do. And it sounds as if he plans on doing just that.
"My thinking of the deal is you just work as hard as you can possibly work, put in the time and I know there are still good things to come here. I can tell you that every time something bad happens and that's the perspective that I'll keep."
Kolb told the media that when he talked to Coach Whisenhunt about the decision, he told him that he would, "be ready if something comes up". That is the type of attitude and demeanor a player that just lost a positional battle needs to have.
"I'm a professional and I'll keep working harder."
Good for you, Kevin. That is exactly what we, and the coaching staff, wanted to hear. And that is inevitably what will give you another shot at the job down the road.
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