Oakland Raiders’ Tommy Kelly sacked Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb in the end zone for a safety in their Friday night preseason game. In the locker room afterward, Kelly sacked Kolb again.
“He is skittish. He is scared back there,” Kelly said. “Anytime anybody gets close to him he starts looking at the refs. As a defensive lineman you love a quarterback like that. He ain’t even trying to look at the routes no more. He is paying attention to us and you ain’t going to get nothing done like that.”
Wow.
There are insults and criticisms a quarterback has to endure. Having his heart questioned is the worse. And Kolb did not like it.
“Scared? Scared of what?” Kolb told AZCardinals.com. “Taking a hit? I have never been afraid of anyone on the field and that will never change. That includes Number 93 [Kelly]. There’s a fine line between holding in the pocket and trying to escape to make a play. Tommy Kelly is too clueless to know the difference.
“I don’t mind people criticizing my play. Don’t ever question my toughness.”
Kolb is fighting John Skelton for the starting quarterback job, and having his gumption questioned by the opposition certainly does not help him.
Skelton, meanwhile, made the most of a brief opportunity. He took just five snaps, but that was enough for him to throw the first touchdown pass for either quarterback candidate this preseason.
Skelton’s 3-yard toss to a wide open Anthony Sherman was part of Arizona’s 17-point second quarter.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt wasn’t prepared to make any quarterback pronouncements just yet, not until he gets Skelton more chances.
“Not with only five plays for John,” Whisenhunt said. “I think I’ll have to get John some extended time this next week.”
Skelton entered the game after Oakland fumbled the ball away at its 23. He completed 3 of 3 passes for 23 yards.
Kolb has to overcome his play, Skelton’s effort and the perception Kelly put out there.
