Raiders DT Tommy Kelly (above, left) used words like “skittish” and “scared” to describe Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (right) following Arizona’s 31-27 defeat of Oakland Friday night. Of Kolb (sacked 3 times while passing for just 22 yards), 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.” Mindful he’s got a job to lose a carefully honed reputation, Kolb struck back in comments to Birds Blog’s Darren Urban :
“Scared? Scared of what?” Kolb said. “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.”
Indeed, simply because Kolb appears terrified under pressure and has accomplished, well, absolutely nothing during his professional career, is no reason whatsoever to say out loud what every defense player on the field is thinking (and drooling about).