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 sure hope Jon Gruden has already been notified for the prime candidate to replace AR..... As far as Vick i mean his play isnt no surprise... Not hard to gameplan against a mobile QB nowadays... The ones that you cant gameplan against are the ones one who are precisely accurate.... Aint no way you stick with Vick and then expect to be the HC by next training camp.....— PHILLYnative00- Speaking of wide receivers, where the heck has Avant been. He seems to have disappeared. And as far as wide outs, Atlanta's crew seemed so much bigger, and could get the extra yards after the catch.— watsonmr
- so despite the turnovers, vick has led the eagles to 5 game winning, or potential game winning (take the lead) drive in 7 games, and yet he gets the sole blame for the struggles..ok— stockton2malone
- There isn't a team in the NFL that could sustain injuries to 3 starters on the O-line (including a Pro Bowl LT), and move on without struggles. That being said....the QB cannot run around like an idiot. Step up in the pocket and run north/south instead of backwards and sideways. Manning or Brees would have half the sacks, because they would THROW THE DAMN BALL. VICK is absolutely THE PROBLEM.— cdedrick05
- Vick leads the entire NFL in TURNOVERS..and Vick has lost THREE GAMES IN A ROW....Foles can't do worst...DUMP VICK...START NICK.— Bob112
- I don't know how any quarterback can be called "elite" when his team is scoring only 17 points a game. I guess you have to consider the source.— Ron T
- I'm not sure if any quarterback can succeed with the Eagles the way they're being coached right now. All I've been hearing over the years is what great talent they have. Last year it was the Dream Team and this year it's "we've got the talent -- we just have to get in the right positions." I'd like to see that start sometime soon! Give Foles a chance -- let him get some game time -- he can't be any worse than Vick!— Ron T
- I think Reid should be forced to play the players he selected at the start of the season and if that get's him fired, so be it. Then all the supported of Vick and Reid would be banned from posting for a year.— mario1239
- DUMP VICK...START NICK.
I am sooooo sick of hearing about how awful it would be for Nicky to start against the... *hold your breath* 2-6 Saints. Really? The 2-6 Saints who can only win by outscoring anyone?
You seriously want me to think that isn't THE PERFECT F****** time to start a rookie? Against a defense that might just be worse than our own?
WTF is wrong with everybody? Vick is the problem with the offense, only Eagles fans don't know this. Foles may end up choking, he may stink, I don't expect him to be the savior, only better than the idiot running the offense now.
They may not be dominant like last year, but Michael hold-the-ball-like-I'm-at-a-backyard-bbq Vick is really making the offensive line look bad too.
I guess all those turnovers are just karma from the past lives of Eagles fans. I can't believe anyone with a lick of sense would say the offense's problems aren't on Vick's... head. (Of course, coaching is an issue as well at this point)— WestonF01 - So nice to see the NY Giants with a 6-2 record and in first place while you losers are 3-4 and crying as you scream DUMP VICK...START NICK!!! I just wonder how many tissues have sold to you losers who can't stop the crying and whining!!!!!— MRD
- What's the Giants record against the Eagles this year again?
Yah. It's like that.
We may go 4-12 with that idiot at QB but that 4th win will be against the Giants. Again.
*wink*— WestonF01 - Vick is not really the issue, no qb can be successful behind this Line and with this offensive playcalling!— sedale
- Not all Vick fault. Playcalling and line play are terrible. However for all Vick apologist what was problem last year when we had a good o line entire year and Vick stunk? I like Vick as a person, but as an NFL QB his time is past. He can't escape pressure, read blitz, or hit open targets between LB and safeties. The guy has won 2 playoff games in his career!! The goal here is super bowls. Vick is not the answer. Foles will struggle worse than Vick when he first plays most likely. But he is a rookie and is suppose to. Also we have to see what we have in him. Vick is not a super bowl qb so it's time to move in different direction. Vick thank you for 9 good games in 2010, but since then he has been below average.— mcalabrese
- Piggie is on the way out!— mikey48
- well from what i saw last sunday the line did fairly well not their worse performance so why couldnt vick find andyone open. even when he has time when he has protection he cant find anyone open even when they are waiving at him and he seems to keep throwing behind receivers. um not all the blame lies on him but from what i saw on sunday he didnt lose the game but he sure didnt win it and the firing of castillo didnt seem to work as we only lost close games in the fourth now we just lost the damn game. we need a new dline coach we need the D to play as a team which they are not. as far as the offense sorry but other than the o line vick is the problem make a decision and live with it he is scared of throwing picks and this is why he is not getting the ball out taking off and running or getting sacked...— defroe
