DeSean supports Vick but thinks Foles is ready
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DeSean supports Vick but thinks Foles is ready
Jeff McLane
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.”
Vick is not the problem. There is no quarterback in the league who could be successful behind the current offensive line...— zwarte piet- I agree that Vick is not the major problem. That's not to say that he's blameless, but given better protection he would be in a "better position to make plays" (as Andy Reid would say).
Does Andy Reid really want to get Foles into a shootout with Drew Brees in his first NFL start? The Eagles are going to have to put a LOT of points on the board to win this game and I don't see them doing it, no matter who is playing quarterback.— SteveS11 - DUMP VICK...START NICK.— Bob112
- Man this team just needs to shut their mouths....Playoffs? Really dude?
— mikey9fingers - deshean said the same thing about Kevin Kolb,jackson is part of the problem not part of the solution,he doesn't give 100% on every play he proved that last season,,a deadline package deal of conVick and jackson would help the character of this team ASAP,they both play for the stats they will never win a SB--BOOK IT.....wolf.— wolf 4
- D-Jack sees how good Foles is everyday in practice, and he says Foles is ready...Vick has the most turnovers in NFL.. Vick has lost THREE GAMES IN A ROW...Foles can't do worst..DUMP VICK..START NICK.— Bob112
- They are not out of it, yet. They do need to start winning, and taking care of business in divisional games sure would help.— Paul SoTX
- i dont care how bad the O-line is, if you cant even manage to score more than 20 points a game, the O-line cant take all the blame, there are more terrible o-lines than the birds that are winning games nd scoring!.. if the coach cant adapt to what the team has, then hit the road jack!! even when the defense does bad, somehow the o-line gets blamed for that as well.. stop pointing fingers at JUST the O-line— trimski1
- Ugh....More delusion. On top of all their woes, now the back biting starts? This team and this year is toast.
If anyone thinks that the Saints aren't going to bring their A-Game monday night , they are sadly mistaken...— Mike Boryla - Foles can see over the line. He's Big Ben sized. He's a true pocket passer and he releases the ball very quickly. He's smart and will call the right audible when the moment presents itself (I don't even want to get into this issue). I also believe he'll prove that he's the one of the top two rookie QBs if Reid just gives him the shot. Yeah, top two.
Don't let this season slip away, Andy. You still have a chance.— LagunaBeach - I had the craziest dream last night. I dreamt Andy Reid was still the coach of the Eagles and after a loss said He has to do a better job. It was scary.— pnolan
- Why worry about the quarterback? Trent Cole is really tough. He'll fight anyone. Kurt Coleman is SUCH A hard hitter. He'll lead our secondary.
This is an average team regardless of who the quarterback is right now.— rubicon24 - i dont think this is the offensive line we want a rookie quarterback starting behind. i'm all in favor of benching vick at this point, but do not start foles until he's in a position to do well. the line needs to be solidified for that to happen. start trent. he's a vet, knows the system, and can get rid of the ball.— randomm82
- A WR who supports all the QBs on the roster. Thank you for breaking this important news!— JimG
- Vick and DeSean ...ONE in the same ....both interested more in their individual fame and $$....could care less about the TEAM.— RealizticFan
