Andy Reid names Nick Foles the starting quarterback for remainder of season
Andy Reid named Nick Foles the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, regardless of Michael Vick's health.
Andy Reid names Nick Foles the starting quarterback for remainder of season
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid named Nick Foles the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, regardless of Michael Vick's health.
"It gives one of your players the opportunity to play here, the next four games, as a starter," Reid said. "Each week, he's been the replacement guy. Now he is the starter, we'll see how he does with that on his plate, see how he handles it. I don't expect much change there with him."
Reid said Vick is on "the fast track" and might return this weekend, although he's still at the fourth phase of the concussion recovery. But Reid said the decision was made in part for Vick's long-term health.
"I think, where we're out, with the season, it gives this kid an opportunity to play and finish it up," Reid said. "He's playing well enough that I think he can win football games for us. Where we sit at this position in the season, it's the right thing to do."
Foles has started the past three games with Vick out with a concussion. In three starts and four total appearances, he completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
"I did speak to [Vick], and he was very positive about it," Reid said. "He completely understood. He's on board."
Vick will likely be the No. 2 quarterback when he's healthy. Reid emphasized that Vick's concussion recovery has taken a long time -- Vick is still at the fourth phase of a five-step process and has not passed his ImPACT test -- and wants Vick healthy enough to have a long career.
"He still has three, four years that he can probably get out there, wing it, so let's get him healthy and on right direction there," Reid said.
Reid said he made the decision on Vick without interference from the front office.
"One great thing about the Philadelphia Eagles organization is Jeffrey [Lurie], when Joe [Banner] was here, and Howie [Roseman] and the other general managers were here, they allowed me to make decisions," Reid said. "I understand where you're coming from that you need to know that, but those are my decisions."
ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!! It only took Andy 14 years to finally STOP trying to be smarter than everyone else and do the correct thing. See you in SD next year big guy!— Justicek- It's the right move all the way around.
Reid coached up Vick, who had become a willing student, then threw him to the wolves. The same way he did McNabb.
Ever since that Giants game in 2010, Vick's been getting killed, and Reid has never solved the blitz.
Foles gets to be evaluated for the incoming coach. Vick might live to see 55, and Reid surrenders to Lurie's assertion.
You don't really think Vick chose Foles, do you? After 14 years? Whatever floats your boat.
In this case, there's little difference between 3-9 and 3-13.
- NOW DUMP VICK...Vick will sour now that he is not playing...— jim35
- NOW DUMP VICK...Vick will sour now that he is not playing...— jim35
- Correct, Vick is not happy but he will pretend that he is OK with it. If he puts out his real feelings, he knows that he would be risking his release which would cost him several million dollars for these last four games. He may work behind the scenes with bitterness but then again he is putting 4 games of pay at risk.
— Kioto - Wow, you should take that psychic trick on the road! He might be truly delighted to not get killed behind that horrible O-Line and keep whatever marketability he has left for his next move. I'm glad I don't have to watch however, seeing as you've just told me what he's thinking, and how he's going to act, before he's said or done anything! Amazing! — SoPhilDenizen
I would guess that Howie and Jeff made the call on this one. Let's just hope it's not a sign that Andy is going to be here to mold the young team.- Glad to see Reid doing something right for the future of the franchise. This gives the next coaching staff the best chance to make the right decision at quarterback.— atb124
- Early Christmas present for me! Michael Vick disaster is finally over! Good riddance, scumbag!!— dundermifflin
- Vick is "on board" like Washburn was when Babin was canned. You just can't get comedy like this anywhere.— jimmymack
- jimmymack, I laughed out loud when I read that comment from Reid...you're right, he said the same exact thing about Washburn being "on board". — Gray Areas
- Funny, I was about to post the exact same thing when I saw comments from you guys. — ericg610
- If Foles can improve each week AND Reid can convince Lurie that it was he was responsible for the QB's improvement, he might just be able to save his job I believe.— CFPhilsPhan
- Everyone is assuming there will be a new head coach next year. Not so fast...— topwonk
- And what's your thoughts on that? I agree with you and am not as upset as I would have been 4 weeks ago. I haven't thought that Reid was into this season and wished he stepped down or took a break after his son's death. Maybe he's coming around and b/c he is planning for next year is able to come up with a game plan for the 2013 season. — CFPhilsPhan
