PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Just like Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley was diplomatic about the Philadelphia Eagles selecting quarterback Kevin Kolb in last month’s NFL draft.
Would Feeley have signed a three-year contract extension two months ago if he knew the Eagles were drafting their quarterback of the future?
“Yes. It doesn’t impact me,” Feeley said Friday. “I can only control how I play.”
For now, Feeley is the starter until McNabb returns from a knee injury that ended his season in Week 11 last year. McNabb isn’t participating in a minicamp that opened Saturday, but expects to be ready for training camp.
While McNabb’s reaction to the Eagles taking Kolb with their first pick was a hot topic in Philadelphia for almost two weeks until the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback broke his silence, Feeley was overlooked because he’s the backup.
“It is what it is,” Feeley said. “It’s surprising, but you move forward.”
Feeley, who turns 30 on Wednesday, will get most of the reps in practice until McNabb comes back. It’ll certainly benefit him if McNabb goes down again during the season. McNabb has finished the regular season on the sidelines three of the last five years.
“It’s just an opportunity, a chance to play and get this going until Donovan gets back,” Feeley said. “You approach it the same way whether you are the third guy, the fourth guy or the starter.”
Originally drafted by Philadelphia in the fifth round of the 2001 draft, Feeley returned to the Eagles last year after being released by San Diego. He was 4-1 as a starter in the last five regular-season games in 2002, helping the Eagles clinch the division and first place in the NFC after McNabb and backup Koy Detmer were injured.
Feeley was traded to Miami in 2004 for a second-round draft pick the Eagles used to select wide receiver Reggie Brown. He was traded to San Diego after 1 1/2 seasons with the Dolphins, and played behind McNabb and Jeff Garcia last year.
With the Eagles, Feeley has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,496 yards, 11 TDs and six interceptions while going 4-1.
Overall, he’s thrown for 3,389 yards, 22 TDs, 21 interceptions and has completed 55.7 percent of his passes for a passer rating of 71.1 in 20 career games, including 13 starts.
The Eagles traded out of the first round and chose Kolb in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Kolb threw for 12,964 yards, 85 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in four years at Houston. He passed for 3,808 yards, 30 TDs and only four picks last season.
Feeley understands Kolb is going to have a tough adjustment coming to the NFL.
“The pace of the game and the terminology is tough to pick up. It can be overwhelming,” he said.
Any advice for Kolb?
“Stay even keel,” Feeley said. “There’s good days and bad days. You have to keep the same attitude.”
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