Post-Draft Outlook: A closer look at the Eagles' draft picks: Round 4/122 -- Mike Kafka, QB, 6-3, 225, Northwestern: With Donovan McNabb gone and Kevin Kolb now the starting quarterback, the Eagles went into the draft looking for a young quarterback they could groom as a backup or eventual trade chip. Kafka has adequate arm strength and accuracy, and should be able to pick up the Eagles' West Coast offense fairly quickly. - by The Sports Xchange
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Draft Scout Mike Kafka News
01/08/13 - QB Mike Kafka will also join the team in 2013 after signing a reserve/future contract last week. Kafka served as a backup with Philadelphia in 2011.
01/05/13 - QB Mike Kafka signed a 2013 contract with the Patriots.
08/12/12 - QBs Mike Kafka vs. Nick Foles for the No. 2 quarterback job. Going into camp, Kafka appeared to be the clear favorite over veteran Trent Edwards to be the season-opening backup to Mike Vick, with the loser getting released and rookie third-round pick Foles expected to spend his first NFL season as the No. 3 guy. But Edwards appears to have become a non-factor and Kafka fractured his non-throwing hand against the Steelers. He could miss the final three preseason games, which means more reps for Foles and an improved chance to open the season as Mike Vick's backup.
08/11/12 - QB Mike Kafka, broke his non-throwing (left) hand in Thursday's exhibition game and will be limited for the next three weeks. Kafka can participate in drills where he does not have to take snaps from center.
07/30/12 - QB Mike Kafka appears to be the favorite to be the backup to Michael Vick.
"Mike's matured so much this offseason," quarterbacks coach Doug Pederson said of Kafka. "He did a nice job in OTAs and has gotten off to a good start here (at training camp)."
Kafka is a smart kid who knows Reid's West Coast offense like the back of his hand. He's a good decision-maker, gets the ball out quickly and is very accurate with his short and intermediate throws.
His biggest drawback is his arm strength. He cannot throw the ball deep and struggles with passes outside the numbers. Pederson and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg worked with Kafka on his mechanics during the offseason, lowering his arm so that he could utilize his lower body more with his throws and generate more velocity.
But Kafka still is struggling with the deep ball. Most of his interceptions in camp have come when he's underthrown Eagles' receivers on vertical routes.
"It's plenty strong, it really is," Pederson insisted of Kafka's arm. "A guy like Mike Kafka, to me, intelligence goes a long way. Doing the right thing with the football. That's something he's good at. He doesn't make many mistakes. And if he does, he moves on."
Kafka isn't dwelling on the fact that he doesn't have a gun.
"To a degree, it's overrated," he said. "If you're able to throw on time and have great accuracy, a good throw will beat good coverage anytime."
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