Reid confirms Kolb will start against Titans

Andy Reid made it official Wednesday: Kevin Kolb is his starting quarterback - for Sunday's game against Tennessee.

Beyond that is anyone's guess, although the Eagles coach has said Michael Vick will remain his starter when he returns from a rib injury.

Asked if Kolb could win back the No. 1 spot based on his performance against the Titans - as Vick did after his stellar outing against Detroit as a backup in Week 2 - Reid did not flatly dismiss the question, as he did a similar one before the Lions game.

"I haven't even thought about that," Reid said. "We're worried about Tennessee right now and we're not worried about starting jobs. You [reporters] can worry about all that."

Kolb, who has helped guide the Eagles to wins in his last two starts filling in for the injured Vick, said he wasn't worried about when his next start may come. The Eagles have a bye next week and then host the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 7.

"I have to take it one week at a time, and continue to prepare like the starter," Kolb said. "And that way I'm ready when my name's called. Whatever Andy decides, he decides."

Vick told a Virginia Beach radio audience Monday that he appreciated Reid's assurances that he would remain the starter, but he opted out of speaking with Philadelphia-area reporters on Wednesday.

Reid spoke for his quarterback.

"I think his primary thing is just getting back to where he feels healthy enough to go out there and contribute in some ways," Reid said.

Vick was a limited participant in practice, but Reid said he would play a backup role against the Titans. Against the 49ers on Sunday, Vick was the emergency third quarterback, "emergency" being the key word. Vick did not have to arrive for the game until 45 minutes before kickoff and spent the entire time in the locker room receiving treatment, according to the Eagles.

If he's the backup this week, he could be inserted at any time in the Wildcat package, although that is unlikely. Vick said he was "feeling better" when a reporter asked about his condition, but Reid said "he's still pretty sore."

Despite the long odds that Vick would be anything more than the third quarterback this week, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said there was "no question" he would prepare for both Kolb and Vick.

Like Reid, Fisher faces a dilemma: Both of his top two quarterbacks are worthy of starting. Vince Young, who is expected to start Sunday despite a mild left leg injury, has started every game this season. Kerry Collins has filled the more customary backup role.

"Kerry wants to start, he wants to play," Fisher said. "But he's accepted it and he prepares himself to play. That's why it works for us."

Kolb and Vick, by all indications, have had a good working relationship and have remained friends.

"There's no conflict between the two or worry between the two right now," Reid said.

In his last two starts, Kolb has completed 73.3 percent of his passes for 579 yards, with four touchdowns and just one interception.

The offense has been tuned specifically to Kolb's needs. There has been more misdirection, more play-action, fewer reads, and thus, less risk. Forty-seven percent of his throws have traveled 5 yards or fewer, compared with 44 percent of Vick's passes in the two starts he has finished. Kolb completed 75 percent of those attempts; Vick 64.

Kolb's effectiveness in getting rid of the ball quickly has prevented some sacks. In their two complete starts, Kolb was sacked once every 13 times he dropped back to pass; Vick once every nine times.

Kolb, however, will face one of the best pass-rushing defenses this season. Led by Eagles castoffs - defensive end Jason Babin (six sacks) and linebacker Will Witherspoon (three) - and end Dave Ball (five), the Titans lead the league with 24 sacks.

Tennessee's pass rush may have brought about increased fears a week or so ago, but the Eagles' offensive line appears to be jelling even with the inexperienced King Dunlap filling in at left tackle for the injured Jason Peters.

"When we're playing bad, we get all the blame," center Mike McGlynn said. "But when we're playing good, we all of sudden get the praise."