DeSean supports Vick but thinks Foles is ready
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DeSean supports Vick but thinks Foles is ready
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
DeSean Jackson has been down this road before -- stuck in the middle of a brewing quarterback controversy.
The Eagles wide receiver said that he supports Michael Vick and that he thinks he is still an elite quarterback, but Jackson also had a very optimistic take on the Nick Foles that few have seen since the preseason. Andy Reid closed practice to the media after the opener and the rookie has been working as the scout team quarterback.
“Nick’s going to be a good quarterback," Jackson said this morning during a telephone interview with The Inquirer. "He does a great job at practicing with us when he goes against the first team defense, so that could actually prepare him if we had to [play him]."
There may not be an if if Andy Reid decides sometime in the very near future -- like today -- to bench Vick in favor of Foles. As of Monday, Vick was still the Eagles starting quarterback and neither player had been told of a change, according to sources close to the situation.
But Reid, as he has done for most of the season, said Sunday, following a 30-17 loss to the Falcons, that he was going to evaluate the position after watching film of the game. The unknown variable in Reid's evaluation is how Foles has been progressing.
"As far as games, I think he’s able to do it," Jackson said of Foles. "I think the sky’s the limit for him. He’s a talented player. He just hasn’t really gotten that opportunity, as far as this season. We’ll just see how it goes."
It should be noted that Jackson once gave a similar response -- "the sky's the limit" -- when asked about the budding Kevin Kolb as he sat behind Donovan McNabb.
Jackson spent this morning plugging his experience with Nike+Kinect Training, a personalized workout program that allows the individual to train like a professional athlete. He recently did a commercial for the product and said that he uses the program on his Xbox during off days.
Despite the 3-4 Eagles' struggles this season, Jackson is on pace to put up career numbers in receptions and receiving yards. He leads the team with 34 catches for 524 yards, although he has only one touchdown on the season.
The Eagles are scoring a little over 17 points a game. Despite the offense's woes, Jackson said that the 32-year-old Vick can still get the job done.
“Honestly, I still feel like he’s an elite quarterback in this league," Jackson said. "He’s still able to make the throws, make the runs. I just think he has to be himself and play how he knows how to play. He’s been doing this for a long time. As long as he can stay healthy and continue to do what he needs to do and be a higher player in this league, I think he still has a couple years left.”
In a separate interview with NFL Network, Jackson said that he didn't think Vick was "as comfortable as he usually is" running the offense.
Opposing defenses have taken away the deep ball, which has hindered Vick, Jackson and the offense. But the injuries on the line and the consistency of the replacements has also forced the Eagles to take fewer chances downfield and have Vick make quicker throws.
“This is the NFL, the next man has to step up and do the job," Jackson said. "As far as the line, I don’t think anything is that much different. I think they’re still approaching everything the same way. Everybody is trying to do the best they can and protect Vick and not let him get hit. As you can see, it doesn’t always work out that way.”
The Eagles travel to New Orleans to face the 2-6 Saints on Monday night. Their next eight opponents have losing records. Jackson said there is still time for the Eagles to turn things around and make the playoffs.
“Yeah, I still think they’re a reality," Jackson said. "We’re second in the division behind New York. I think as long as we do well in our division. We beat New York and we get to play them again. As long as we handle that we’ll be just fine.”
I agree with Foles last Tweet 100%. As soon as the Eagles make him the starting QB, my very first thought will be "Thank God".— drbob1- Here's a question...if Reid starts Foles, do you really think Reid is going to make him throw 25-30 times or more behind that matador offensive line??? I think not, watch how balanced the Eagles become...he'll run Shady McCoy more, something he never does consistently with his starting QB's.— legend67
- There is simply not enough talent on the Eagles roster for them to make the playoffs.— zeke128
- why not start both and put vick in the backfield with mccoy as kind of a decoy?thats all he is at the quarterback position anyhow.then with brown you would have a 2 and a half headed monster coming out of the backfield.— arkdad212
- Foles played behind this line in the preseason and i think was sacked once maybe twice. He plays a different game than Mike. He grew up in spread offenses and was not a athlete runner QB. The real issue with Mike may be two fold. His instincts tell him to play his wide open style. His body id telling him those skills have eroded some. AR and MM trying to make him something he is not, a pocket QB. Forget about the line for a moment. So Mike is caught in no man's land. Can't make all the plays he used to make consistently enough and playing to probably his third best skill set pocket QB. Add the mileage on Mike and missing two years in his prime and it is what it is. As far as playoffs etc. As the Tuna liked to say, you are what your record says you are. i wish that were not true but it is. Go Eagles !!— oldBird
- Why wasn't the post I sent in published?— hankhammer2
- Vick plays best when there is money on the line. He has a few chances left, or kiss that big contract goodbye— camasbud
- 5/10 soft WR who's supposed to be a number one plays like a number two can't average three balls a game— allycat1968
- 5/10 soft WR who's supposed to be a number one plays like a number two can't average three balls a game— allycat1968
- Wow words of wisdom from Vic & Jackson, who really cares what these two guys say, let alone think.— olddog
- DeSean is such a stooge. He doesn't have enough smarts to know that the media is just trying to stir up a QB controversy. He needs to learn how to connect the dots and give some thought to what he's saying in the press. Of course, the next thing we'll hear him say is that what he said was taken out of context, which is probably true, but he needs to learn how to connect the dots when speaking in the media. They are not your friend!— bm2957
- Watching the Atlanta loss, the Eagle players were out on the field to collect a paycheck, not trying to win a game. Every Atlanta snap seemed to have at least 2 or 3 missed tackles. Thank God there are no guaranteed contracts in the NFL because it's time to clean house and it begins with Andy.— pogiepop
Foles gold...- Foles would be better served watching for now. Vick would be better served if he has his life insurance paid up. This offensive line is a quarterback 911 waiting to happen!— jmb53
- Heard Eagles are trying to trade Vick before Thu trade deadline.— Lets Eat
