Kafka draws praise

There's at least one Eagle rooting for the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals.

Rookie quarterback Mike Kafka, a fourth round draft pick who went to high school in Chicago and attended college just north of that city, at Northwestern, said he's pulling for his hometown team.

"You know what, Chicago boy, I'm rooting for the 'Hawks," Kafka said after practice Wednesday.

Reporters had to wait awhile to ask Kafka about his allegiances. For the second consecutive day he stayed after practice to throw with receiver Chad Hall, working maybe 15 or 20 minutes extra under what felt like summer-time heat.

Kafka's work habits drew praise from Kevin Kolb.

"The thing that I love, is his attention to detail. As a great quarterback you have to have that," Kolb said.

Kafka's draft stock rose after a senior year in which he threw for 3,430 yard and ran for 299 more. Turning to the pros, however, he will have to get used to moving under center after playing mostly in the shotgun in Northwestern's spread offense. He said he is working on taking snaps and his footwork in dropping back.

He has been working with the third team so far, behind Kolb and Mike Vick, so unless a sports disaster strikes, it's unlikely he'll be on the field much this year. Asked if he could eventually work his way into the back up role, offensive coordinator Marty Morningwheg said, "I sure think so" but stressed the work Kafka still has to do.

"He's got to prove it and earn it," Morningwheg said. "It goes back to just cut out all the other stuff and get better every day and then he may be in a position to do that at some point."