Making sense of the Eagles' QB plans
On Thursday, the Eagles announced they've signed Trent Edwards to a one-year deal.
Making sense of the Eagles' QB plans
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
On Thursday, the Eagles announced they've signed Trent Edwards to a one-year deal.
They now have three quarterbacks on the roster: Michael Vick, Mike Kafka and Edwards. But it's reasonable to question whether those will be the Birds' three quarterbacks going into next season.
Vick is obviously a given, and Howie Roseman indicated to the beat guys at the combine that Kafka and Edwards will compete for the backup role.
But the way I see it, it's not out of the question for the Eagles to add another quarterback before training camp starts up in about five months.
The numbers on Edwards are pedestrian at best: 26 touchdowns, 30 interceptions and a yards-per-attempt number of 6.5. Then again, he hasn't exactly been surrounded by the type of talent the Eagles have on the offensive side of the ball. Considering Edwards couldn't make an NFL roster last season, he had every reason to take this deal with the Eagles.
As for Kafka, we should find out what the team really thinks of him this offseason. Andy Reid, Marty Mornhinweg and Howie Roseman have consistently talked up Kafka since they drafted him in the fourth round in 2010. If he earns the role as Vick's backup, we'll know they truly believe what they've been saying.
But if the Eagles see another strong backup option they like once free agency starts (March 13), they could make another addition. Earlier this offseason, I ran through the list of potential free-agent backups. And others could become available as teams tweak their rosters.
There's also the draft. As others have noted, perhaps it doesn't make sense to draft a quarterback high with Andy Reid facing an uncertain future past 2012. Why not wait a year and let the new coach pick out his franchise QB? But on the other hand, I'm not sure it makes sense to operate an organization that way. More likely, the Eagles are expecting Reid to have some degree of success next season. So I'd be surprised if they passed on a QB prospect they liked just because of his uncertain future.
If the Eagles do draft a quarterback they expect to make the roster, and Edwards wins the backup job, Kafka could be the odd man out. If they sign another free agent quarterback to back up Vick (and don't draft one), it probably makes sense to continue to develop Kafka and part ways with Edwards.
The Edwards signing carries no risk. He could end up as Vick's backup, but the Eagles could still make a move at quarterback in the coming months.
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It would make a lot of sense if they could get him at the right price. Vick only has one year left as a starter. They'll be lucky to get 10-12 games out of him this year.
Edwards and Kafka certainly aren't the answer for the future.
— banned- I've heard that there's a veteran QB available who happens to wear #5 on his jersey. Just sayin......— SteveS11
- Just to let you all know a little secret. Andy will have a 20yr headcoaching career here with the Eagles.— tommy_the_k
Comment removed.- How can a team develop a QB, when like the Eagles they keep the starter in 98% of the games???— tulsaphil
- Cut Vick and Trade for Manning.... Hogwash. Manning is cleared but not healed. He can't even throw long yardage passes and you want him over Vick? Come on. We need a good back up. Edwards ain't the guy. I don't think we'll draft one. I think we'll get one in FA. A healthy Manning I agree. An unknown Manning.... I'l take Vick every time.— usedtobefromphilly
- Yawn— fman727
- There's no doubt this team has holes to fill, but one of those holes is QB. You can trade for good linebackers in free agency, but it's almost impossible to trade for a franchise QB. This team is going to be in some serious trouble if Vick goes down for any length of time. We can't keep putting off finding a replacement for him forever. We all know he's old and injury prone. Eventually we're going to have to bite the bullet and spend a high draft pick on our QB of the future. What I don't want to see is this team wasting a late second or third rounder on a QB and wind up with another Kolb or Kafka. If they are going to pick QB they need to make it a first round pick.— JFW3
- The Eagles pick a QB with one of their 2nd round choices.— UncleStosh
- Michael Vick last player to show up at Practice and a 1st one heading for Home a 100 Million BUST with 29 giveaways— Kevinmac
- did not know dixon from steelers is free agent has a rifle for arm and runs like the wind, 27yrs old, yes he has more talent than kafka and edwards together.— only 9
- If his ego would allow it, where's the problem in bringing back McNabb in the veteran backup role? He could probably be had for the vet minimum, knows the system, and has worked well with Reid in the past. There's no doubt he could win a few games in a pinch, and even with all the turmoil he went through he's easily one of the best QB's in Eagles history. Would be a great way for him to end his career. As an Eagle. Only drawback I can see is the media hoopla.— Zaknafein
- Vontaze! The one and only.— Apollo Creed
- Edwards is twice as good as Vince Young, but 2 times zero is still Zero...Rock on Andy and Howey!!— outta work
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