NFL combine notebook: Would Eagles trade Kolb?

Feb. 24, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comINDIANAPOLIS -- The 49ers are keeping open all their options when it comes to the quarterback position.Coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated Thursday that he would like quarterback Alex Smith to re-sign with the 49ers. But the 49ers will look to add at least two quarterbacks to their roster before the start of the 2011 season.RELATED: Harbaugh wishes Smith 'fresh start' with 49ers
General manager Trent Baalke said the 49ers will explore all possibilities to improve the position, including the draft, free agency and trades.One veteran player the 49ers are likely to track is Philadelphia backup Kevin Kolb. He wants to be a starting quarterback somewhere, but it won't be with the Eagles, as long as Michael Vick is healthy.Eagles general manager Howie Roseman on Thursday did not rule out the possibility Kolb could be traded this offseason -- when trades are allowed to happen.
"We're still evaluating all our options and all our positions," Roseman said. "Obviously, we've been really fortunate to have good quarterbacks. There's Michael, there's Kevin, and we've got a lot of confidence in Mike Kafka. So that's a position that we're always going to want to be strong at . . . We don't discuss any (trade) discussions, external or internal."Here are some other notable quotes from the first day of the NFL scouting combine:Mike Lombardi, NFL Network analyst
"I think Jim (Harbaugh) has to change his offense. I mean you can't run Power-O 50 times like he did at Stanford and be effective. So I think he has to change and grow offensively, which he clearly can do. So I think that's the challenge that waits. And then there's the gap between college and pro that has to get obviously made up. Jim's last year in the NFL was 2003. To me, every three years the NFL dramatically changes over and over again and becomes a different league. So I think his work is challenging. It will take him a little bit of time and this offseason you can utilize the time to prepare him to prepare him what he can do."OGC Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State
On whether he has a style similar to his uncle, former Raiders guard Steve Wisniewski: "I certainly try to be. One thing he was known for was finishing blocks and being a nasty guy and that's what I always try to do.I like to finish my blocks and I'm hearing positive feedback about the way I hustle so that's one way I think we're similar." Steve Wisniewski is currently an assistant offensive line coach with the Raiders, and Stefen was asked if he'd like to play for his uncle. "I think that would be awesome. I couldn't think of a better guy to work for. He's an eight-time Pro Bowler. He's my uncle. There are certainly complications when you get coached by a family member. For anyone who played for their father might know what that's like. But, yes, I'd love to play for my uncle."OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
"I know I can play right away. That's my best asset. I'm a draft-ready tackle. . . . I've gone against four potential first-round players this year. I have a better resume of going against better talent than anyone else, so that makes me more (pro) ready." The four players are Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) and J.J. Watt (Wisconsin).OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
The biochemistry major was asked if he takes more pride in his athletic or academic accomplishments. "That's tough. Football is my first love, so I guess it's got to be what I did on the field. I think I put probably more work into what happened on the field. Academics has always come pretty easy to me. Football is something I love so I pour everything I have into it." And what will he do when he's done playing football? "I'd like to open up some kind of foundation and kind of pursue my biochemistry degree and kind of use it to do some sort of medical research."TE Virgil Green, Nevada
On catching passes from Colin Kaepernick: "His arm is pretty strong and he's actually taken a little juice off his ball the last two years. . . . Back in the day, he would just rocket it. You'd catch it and then have to jump back. Now he's got that nice smooth spiral to his ball and he's worked a lot on improving his talents as a quarterback."OG Stephen Schilling, Michigan
On starting 52 games: "It's definitely something I take a lot of pride in. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of my best accomplishments, being able to stay so durable and play so many years there."OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
"The SEC is among the best when it comes to athletes and the speed and the physical aspects of the game. You can go in and look at any SEC game and it'll be very physical and you just compete with each other. It's going to be very hard fought. That's the epitome of the league. It's a tough, physical game and I was right there with it."OT Nate Solder, Colorado
On struggling against Cal's Cameron Jordan: "Well, that was a breakdown in technique from me. You learn not to take anyone for granted and that guy played a heck of a game and you've got to give it to him. And no matter who you go against you can't break down in your technique. That was just a fundamental error on my part."TE Luke Stocker, Tennessee
"I think my strengths are the balance I have. I feel like I'm a really good blocker and I'm a really good receiver. As a defense, that's hard to prepare for. You look at the guys that are hard to prepare for -- the Steelers, the Patriots, the Cowboys -- they have dual-threat guys. And the tight ends are essential."Danny Watkins, Baylor
When asked if his age (26) worries him: "Well, I don't have arthritis so (laughs). I'm a little more mature than the other guys. I don't think it's a negative."Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will take center stage at the NFL scouting combine on Friday.