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Eagles-49ers Preview

Oct 8, 2010 - 8:59 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Another week, another starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. The San Francisco 49ers might be in a similar position if Alex Smith doesn't improve soon.

Kevin Kolb will make his first start since Week 1 on Sunday night when the Eagles try to send the reeling 49ers to their first 0-5 start in 31 years.

Opening the season as the Eagles' starting quarterback following the departure of Donovan McNabb, Kolb suffered a concussion in the first half of a 27-20 loss to Green Bay on Sept. 12.

Coach Andy Reid originally said Kolb would get his job back once he was medically cleared, but Michael Vick continued to start after leading Philadelphia (2-2) to a 35-32 victory at Detroit the following Sunday.

Vick helped the Eagles win two road games in September and earned NFC offensive player of the month honors, but suffered cartilage damage in his ribs during the first quarter of last Sunday's 17-12 home loss to Washington.

The Eagles announced Thursday that Kolb will definitely start Sunday, with Vick not even making the trip to San Francisco.

"I approached it like that all week, and that's the way you have to do it, so it doesn't change anything in my mind," said Kolb, who was 22 of 35 for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception after replacing Vick last week.

"But it just helps you focus in on that you're the guy and you've got to go in and win."

Looking to avoid the franchise's worst start since opening 0-7 in 1979, the 49ers (0-4) already face a must-win scenario. No team since the 1992 San Diego Chargers has advanced to the playoffs after starting 0-4.

Smith knows any improvement must start with him. The first overall pick from the 2005 draft is tied for the league lead in interceptions with seven and is ranked near the bottom among all NFL quarterbacks in passer rating (66.1) and yards per attempt (6.1).

With San Francisco looking for an improved effort in its first game under new offensive coordinator Mike Johnson, promoted from quarterbacks coach after Jimmy Raye was fired, Smith went 21 of 32 for 188 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday's 16-14 loss at Atlanta. He also threw two second-half interceptions as the 49ers blew a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

"Those were critical errors," Smith said.

Dealing with speculation that his job might also be in danger, head coach Mike Singletary said he has no plans to make a quarterback switch.

"I am nowhere near that point," said Singletary, whose team is averaging an NFC-worst 251.5 yards and 13.0 points per game. "When I look at Alex, I see growing pains of not just Alex Smith, but our team."

Smith could benefit if wide receiver Ted Ginn returns from a knee strain that has sidelined him for the past three weeks.

Despite the 49ers' struggles in the passing game, running back Frank Gore has been outstanding, leading the NFC in yards from scrimmage (533) and ranking second in the conference with 29 receptions.

While Brian Westbrook, who spent the last eight seasons with the Eagles, has not enjoyed a productive season backing up Gore - making just one carry in three games - Westbrook's former backup in Philadelphia, LeSean McCoy, is having a breakout year with a team-high 273 rushing yards and four TDs.

McCoy is expected to play despite breaking a rib in the first half of last Sunday's loss.

"It's a tribute to him and how bad he wants it and how bad we all want it," Kolb said. "We're very focused to go win this game."

McCoy was regularly used last week as a safety valve out of the backfield by Kolb, who now hopes to more frequently use deep-play threats DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Rookie Taylor Mays, who scored a touchdown off a blocked punt last Sunday, will make his second straight start in the 49ers' secondary after the team released strong safety Michael Lewis on Monday.

Philadelphia has won four in a row overall against San Francisco, and three straight at Candlestick Park.

The Eagles are looking to open 3-0 on the road for the first time since 2004.