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.
Ummm ... for those of you so quick to dismiss the prospects for Foles' possible success, please reflect on Joe Flacco's first few seasons in the NFL ...— FishFryFrank- Next for Vick: dog pooper-scooper!— peacefrog33756
- philliesphan79, that's ridiculous considering Vick as a Freshmen in College took his team Virginia Tech to the National Championship game, and in his second year in the NFL took the Falcons to the NFC Championship, against the Phila Eagles.
It's ridiculous to suggest the kid doesn't have natural talent, how many 18 year olds can say they've been on a football field where he's gone and taken programs before the age of 22?
Looks more to me as if he's played for coaches who weren't capable of disciplining Vick and enjoyed the wins instead of showing him the game from a QB's perspective.— Dexter - You obviously misread what I said. I said he was one of the biggest wastes of talent - not that he didn't have talent. No one in the history of football was born with as much talent as Mike Vick. If he worked half as hard to learn the game as any of these kids playing now hed already be in the hall of fame instead of about to be released. In VA Tech and his first couple of years he had that success solely on his talent. By his own admission he never worked to develop his game and when defenses adjusted to him by the 2005 season he never worked hard enough to adapt and was awful his last two years in Atlanta. He came back in 2010 and surprised the league but as soon as they adjusted he couldn't readjust because he spent his whole life getting by on talent and not learning the game. Now it's too late for him to be anything other than the mediocre qb you have seen since December 2010. Time to move on to either a full season tryout for Foles or a stopgap until they can develop a new qb. — philliesphan79
- Nick Foles in no manner compares to Joe Flacco since Flacco entry into the NFL. Flacco has been one of the most successful QBs under an exceptional General Manager to have made the transition from College to the NFL. Flacco with the Ravens have never been in a position where Flacco loss 7 consecutive games. Flacco doesn't begin to understand that kind of mediocre effort.
— Dexter - you get Foles so go offensive lineman and he kind of looks like a young Joe Flacco - yes, the one that just won the superbowl - o-lineman in first round please— briman
- Please dont buy into the A Smith hype!!!!!! He has been an absolute bust ever since he came into the league, and finally after 8 years the 49ers had finally built a real nice roster to carry this pisspoor QB that could not get them past the NFC champ game. PLEASE not again. Id rather have Vick than this loser. Let Foles take over before you sign this fool to a million$ deal. I could rant all night on this so I am just gonna finish by saying that my 19 years as an eagles fan will be absolutely crushed if this punk gets a deal in philly. Sorry A smith please dont take it personal its the game!— cdriscoll4
- Don't be an idiot. Nick Foles is our starting QB and will be for years to come!— BIGEGLFAN
- Dexter, your points are valid about Vick. But these were accomplished 10-12 years ago. He's slower, more banged up, and turns the ball over way to much at this stage of his career. What is the long term advantage of keeping Vick, and using cap money to pay him, where it can be used to fill other needs. It's best for the Eagles to move on.— watsonmr
- Why do people doubt Nick Foles ?— biagio77
- Why do people doubt Nick Foles ?— biagio77
- Dump Vick....not because he's old, slower and injury prone...but because he's a worthless scumbag degenerate waste of life.— The Dude Abides
- If Mike Vick was under 30, I'd agree to keep him. His skill set is WAY better than Foles and the Eagles will suffer with Foles as QB next year. Forget Alex Smith. He's a nobody. Johnny Football? Please. Just a worse Doug Flutie. Stop wishing and hoping Eagles fans. No matter who is at QB next year, this team will be at the bottom of the NFC East.— Panthro2011
- Foles does not have a turnover and injury history? What Foles are you writing about? Who is the fastest QB the Eagles have? Who has playoff and NFC Championship game experience and what Eagle QB has been to multiple pro bowls? How many tight end and receiver tipped and dropped accurate passes were there that turned into INTs? How many NFL QBs played behind the NFLs 27th ranked O-line? You can read and believe biased writers but Kelly is smart enough to watch film. Kelly knows the best QB and that is why Vick won't be released and you can't trade Foles because no other team wants him even if Philly haters love him.— lbg
- There MIGHT NOT be a quarterback with the 4 th pick....really, really,
reallyyyy!?!??! You mean there isn't a LUCK, RG III, or a RUSSELL WILSON in this year's draft?! In a draft that quantitatively is NOT very deep with "talent" ....you take/use that 4 th pick and you GET a player at a position that can start right now ...hmm !!! CB,LG, RG, OT, DT, FS ............I am sure everyone's heard the rumors about DIXON, back-up QB from PITTSBURGH former OREGON DUCK....like I trust our GM!— Chappy
