Michael Vick has been named as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback after a U-turn by coach Andy Reid.
Kolb relegated to back-up after Reid changes mind
Michael Vick has been named as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback after coach Andy Reid made a U-turn over who would be his team's signal-caller.
The controversial Vick made his first NFL start in over three years against the Detroit Lions on Sunday as Kevin Kolb was out with injury.
Kolb took over the Eagles' quarterback role for the new season after Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington but suffered a concussion in the first game of the campaign against Green Bay.
And although Vick almost led a successful comeback against the Packers and did help his team to victory against the Lions, Reid originally stated that Kolb would still be the starter when he returned.
But he has now changed his mind and Vick, who spent a lengthy period out of the sport while serving an 18-month prison sentence for his role in a dog fighting ring, will take on the starting role.
Impressed
"Michael exceeded expectation over the last two weeks - this has nothing to do with Kevin Kolb's injury," Reid said.
"He (Kolb) has done a phenomenal job for us, his future is not slighted by this one bit, he has an opportunity to be a franchise QB and very deservedly so.
"This is more about Michael Vick and his accelerated play. He is possibly the hottest quarterback in the NFL at the moment (and this) allows Kevin to continue his maturation process."
He added of Kolb: "He is one of the most competitive guys I have been around - he wants to be the starting quarterback for the Eagles and I wouldn't expect any less of him.
"But he is a team player so he accepted it. But I'm not going to tell you that he doesn't want to be starting."
