"Sometimes, the protocol clearly fails.

Kevin Kolb yesterday offered empirical evidence to that reality on "The Dan Patrick Show." He told the radio host that not only was he knocked unconscious after Clay Matthews sacked him in the Eagles' opener at Green Bay, but that he also fooled team medical personnel into letting him return to the game.

"When I got to the sidelines, I felt the effects coming on. Like most football players do, I tried to hide it," Kolb said.

Mission accomplished. Kolb returned to the game.

"I went back out the next series . . . and actually forgot the snap count," Kolb said. "If you go back on film, you can see me, standing there, and the ball surprises me."

Even then, Kolb was allowed to remain in the game for the rest of the series. His tight end had to let the team know how bad off Kolb was.

"I think it was [Brent] Celek, walked to the sideline and told our trainers, 'Uh-uh. This isn't good,' " Kolb said.

That play began the series of events that cost Kolb the starting job that he was given in the offseason after the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb - a series of events that reportedly have the Eagles listening to trade offers for Kolb.

Michael Vick replaced Kolb, thrillingly, in the second half of the Packers game. The next week, as Kolb continued to recover, Vick led the Eagles to a win against the Lions, then, in a bizarre reversal of statement by coach Andy Reid, Vick was anointed the starter for the next week at Jacksonville even though Kolb was healthy and begged Reid to let him resume as starter."