Originally I’d planned to call this article “Long Kolb Winter.” It had a nice ring to it; great play on words. However, Kevin Kolb’s name, like the man himself, is an enigma. He pronounces it Kobb, as if the L were silent. Just when we get Favre and his jacked up name off the field, we get this kid. Of course by now, most people have figured out the riddle of his name. What we don’t know is where he will play in 2011, or if we’ll get the 2009 or the 2010 version of King Kolb.
After Kolb’s 2009 performance, fantasy “experts,” this Knucklehead included, had him pegged for a Top 10 season in 2010. Then a slow start, combined with an injury and the reemergence of Michael Vick, derailed his whole season.
Now as we watch the playoffs, fantasy GMs begin estimating Kolb’s value and likely landing spot for 2011. Where he ends up will play a big role in how he performs. Last year the Philadelphia Eagles swore they weren’t going to move any of their QB’s then stunned the league when they traded McNabb to the rival Washington Redskins. This year they claim to have no intention of trading away either Vick or Kolb, but I’d be highly surprised if they don’t. And Kolb is the likely candidate. Vick owners should beware if the team does, as Vick plays best when he’s fighting for a job, not when he has it locked up.
--Potential New Teams—
San Francisco 49ers – These guys are not sold on either Alex or Troy Smith at QB and they have too much young talent to waste another season hoping one will excel. New coach, Jim Harbaugh is going to want someone he has a chance with now, and Kolb knows the West coast offense. This is probably the best fit for Kolb in 2011. It’s the team he has the best chance of fantasy success with of the teams looking for a QB in 2011. Imagine Kolb with Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and Vernon Davis downfield…
Arizona Cardinals – The Cards have a huge need at the position and clearly Derek Anderson nor Max Hall are the answer. Hall or John Skelton may prove to be a long term solution, but like everything else in the desert, this team will wither again in 2011 without someone to QB this team now. This may be a more likely landing spot for Kolb, but perhaps less fruitful…Still the Kolb to Larry Fitzgerald connection is enticing.
Seattle Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck cannot stay healthy, and can at times be frustrating. While a QB is not a burning need, Charlie Whitehurst is not the answer if Matt leaves or goes down again. Having Kolb in Seahawks blue offers promise for a dynamic group of young receivers, still, they’d need to continue and improve the offensive line before he’d have much fantasy value. Then again, in that weak division...
Tennessee Titans – With Vince Young gone the team needs another young QB to guide them. A deal for draft picks is certainly not out of the realm of possibility for a team who has only Kerry Collins in the wings. Still Collins is serviceable enough that they may wait and see who they might be able to grab in the draft.
While other teams like the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns or Carolina Panthers might be looking at potential QB possibilities, none seems like an optimal or realistic fit for Kolb as a landing spot.
If you have Kolb on your roster in keeper leagues, he might be worth hanging on to. If he lands the starting gig in the NFC West he could be a valuable fantasy asset in 2011.
What are your thoughts? Sound off below!
