Who will be the Eagles' quarterback?
A look at Eagles quarterbacks
Who will be the Eagles' quarterback?
Zach Berman
Here is the first in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Today: Quarterbacks
On the roster: No position will receive more debate in the coming weeks than quarterback, where the Eagles continue to evaluate Michael Vick and Nick Foles. New coach Chip Kelly insists he can adapt his offense to the quarterback and does not necessarily need a running threat. Vick’s athleticism would help him if Kelly brought his Oregon offense to the Eagles, but Vick's turnover habit and his injury history will be an issue. (Kelly values taking care of the ball and staying in the game.) Kelly coached against Foles in college and has a better idea than most about Foles’ ability and whether he’s been limited in his career by a struggling team compared to his own shortcomings.
Vick would not be on the roster unless he’s the starter, and he likely won’t be on the roster regardless unless he takes a pay cut. Foles would be a candidate as a backup quarterback if the Eagles drafted a quarterback, got one via trade or in a free agency. He might even have some value – although maybe not a third-round draft choice – if they want to trade him. But Foles’ salary and his experience could serve the Eagles well as a backup quarterback.
The other quarterback on the Eagles roster is Trent Edwards. Edwards would likely only be a candidate as a third quarterback, especially if the Eagles draft a quarterback. He has starting experience, an inexpensive salary and is a smart and useful quarterback in the meeting room. But if the Eagles want a third quarterback with more experience for Kelly or one who is a more mobile threat, Edwards could easily be elsewhere next season.
Not on the roster: This is the category to pay attention to for quarterback because the Eagles might need to look elsewhere for next season’s starter. (In fact, on the day of Kelly’s opening news conference, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane opined that Kelly’s quarterback might not be on the roster.) Without knowing the system that Kelly will run, it’s hard to speculate about a clear front-runner.
In the draft, there might not be a quarterback worth taking at No. 4. Geno Smith might impress in the next month and move into consideration, but it seems more likely the Eagles will take a quarterback late in the first round with a trade or early in the second round, where they pick. (49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the No. 4 pick in the second round two seasons ago.) One name to watch will be Florida State’s E.J. Manuel. The story you’ll hear is how Kelly recruited him out of high school, but Manuel has much more going for him than a recruiting battle five years ago. He’s a big, fast, high-percentage passer with significant experience, starting the last two seasons at Florida State. After a strong Senior Bowl, his stock is ascending.
The Eagles could also be in the running for 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith, who has experience in the type of offense that Kelly used in college. Smith is also accurate, intelligent and has valuable experience. The question is how much of his success during the last two seasons was the byproduct of the 49ers’ coaching or actual development by Smith. There will be a robust market for him, and he’ll only be 29 next season.
The free-agent market is not attractive this season, although the Eagles could find a potential backup or project quarterback in that group. Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon has started in the NFL and played under Kelly at Oregon, and he would be a worthwhile quarterback to bring into camp.
TOMORROW: Running backs.
cdriscoll4: Dexter wants GENO SMITH ....yeah, that's what REID might do and thankfully he's in KANSAS CITY ....the EAGLES have so many "holes" at so many positions ... use that 4 th pick and draft an IMPACT PLAYER !
— Chappy- I read somewhere that if we dump Vick we can save millions on his contract. Vick is NOT the Quarterback we should use to build our new team. He should be dumped just like Andy Reid. Maybe Reid will bring him into KC and use him there.
Don't get me wrong - Vick gave us 1-2 good seasons but he's over 30 and starting to get past his prime. It's a new coach so we need a new QB so we can build the next great Eagles team!— LMSfromDE - If Vick were 22 years old it would be a no brainer. Otherwise Kelly has said he likes the basic qualities of Foles--strong and accurate arm, quick read and release and a very smart and quick study guy, a team's brain. However, I guess if some other QB with Foles' qualities plus speed falls into his lap, he would go with such a current unknown.— Cactusjim
- If Vick were 22 years old he would be completing 52% of his passes, blowing off practice, not studying game film, flipping off fans in his home stadium and fighting dogs. — philliesphan79
- If they don't overhaul their defense, or add a new starter for the offensive line, then it really doesn't matter who the QB is. I would spend the entire draft focusing on those two major issues,and go with Foles this year. EJ Manuel is a mediocre college passer at best, and definitely a subpar runner. Just look at his three years of stats: 298 yards rushing in three years TOTAL. Johnny Manziel had 200yds rushing in one game. Modify this year's offense to suit Foles' game.
If Foles sucks, then we'll have a high draft pick to go after Teddy Bridgewater, Logan Thomas, Tajh Boyd, or maybe even Johnny Manziel.
If Foles does reasonably well, we could trade him for a 2nd round pick, and still go after one of those other run/pass QBs.
— EmanuelP - @philliesphan79, you are either a racist, a hater or just plain stupid. Maybe all three? This is not a HATE VICK article. Thanks for why you think Mike Vick should not be on the team next year. We don't need the rest of your nonsense on here. OK, we get it. You despise The Mike Vick Experience. Ok fine. The Eagles know that they need a QB who can play the position or at least learn the position well enough to get them to a Super Bowl. Its probably not going to happen with Mike Vick which is a shame but REAL Eagles fans KNOW its not going to happen with Nick Foles. He's just not agile enough to do what needs to be done in Chip Kelly's scheme. Stop all the hatin' and keep quiet. No matter if the Mike Vick Experience is not here next year. I WILL follow the next NFL team he goes to. GO MIKE VICK GO!— Panthro2011
- In 2009, Vick had career numbers. He was slicing defenses and he had a legitimate O-line.
Since...? Horrible O-line and terrible coaching. Vick's not the main problem here. Guarantee, when Vick starts this year under a new coach, our QB will flourish.
Haters need to stop hating.— cancerouscynic - Panthro, what's up with all of the anger? Chill out. People are allowed to dislike a player without being called racist. You have an opinion on Nick Foles after 6 games that he can't play after grout up passing numbers in line with what you have seen from Vick for 11 years, does that make you even more racist. You're entitled to your opinion but I have seen enough from Vick to know he started taking football serious too late to learn and is clearly on the downside of his career. Time to move on,As for Foles he has the tools needed to run a spread offense similar to what Belichek consulted with Chip Kelly on for New England. Foles is by no means Tom Brady but his skillet lends itself well to that style of play. Quick decision making, getting rid of the ball early, changing calls at the line and spreading the field with his arm. If no one better comes available this is easily their best option for 2013. Have fun rooting for the Cards or Raiders. (HTML deleted)— philliesphan79
- They keep saying that Vick would be a good fit in Kelly's system. Have they not noticed that Vick no longer has the one skill that made him such a good fit. I can't count the times that Vick was caught from behind during the 2012 season. He doesn't have the burst he used to. The QB that Vick is now, is turnover and injury prone and has no ability to escape (even from big slow guys). The only premium tool Vick still has is a big arm.— maurysline
- The Eagles need to trade for Alex Smith just so Reid doesn't get him. If the Chiefs are in need of a QB on draft day, that makes it more likely that Joeckel will be available at number 4. If Reid already has his QB, Joeckel will be gone at number 1.— maurysline
- EJ Manuel is not a very good passer. I doubt that he will make it in the NFL. I would try to get Alex Smith or Matt Flynn.— MUADDIB
- All I have to say is if you examine Vicks stats against the blitz last season its a no brainer, he's our starter. Chip will see what most of you haters won't and Vick will be under center.— realtruth
- I've posted on my blog 21 reasons to consider Tim Tebow: http://www.pressreleasewriter.info— press release writer
