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How can they cut Trent Edwards?

Eagles 28, Jets 10

No one knows what the Eagles are thinking about their third quarterback. And, yes, the very fact that we are talking about the third quarterback makes this a quintessential Philadelphia conversation. But, that aside, it is getting harder and harder to believe that they are thinking about getting rid of Trent Edwards and keeping Mike Kafka instead.

Edwards played the final three quarters of the Eagles' 28-10 win over the New York Jets on Thursday night. He was very good, again. He was 22 for 32 for 197 yards, 2 touchdown and no interceptions. It was the latest in a string of solid, competent performances -- admittedly, against backup players -- that Edwards has put on this summer. Brought here as the presumed third-stringer, then left in no-man's land after the Eagles drafted Nick Foles, Edwards has watched as Foles played his way into the backup spot, and Kafka broke his hand. He has watched, and he as improved, and he has made the most out of his chance.

And here we are. Eagles coach Andy Reid did not rush Kafka back to play in this game because he says he has plenty of information to make his evaluation. Remember, he liked Kafka well enough to make him the backup in the off-season, and the only thing he has done wrong in a game is throw a single, wretched interception.

Is that enough to lose his job? Or is that the wrong question?

Because Edwards really has been good, and there is a body of opinion in the NFL that you want to have a veteran backup quarterback on your roster, just in case -- and starter Michael Vick is the ultimate just-in-case guy. On the other hand, there is no evidence that the Eagles subscribe to that theory. After all, their intention at the start of the summer was to have a young backup (Kafka) and an even younger third-stringer (Foles).

So, what to do?

It is hard to know.

It is also hard to ignore what Trent Edwards has done.