Nick Foles to start at QB for Eagles against the Panthers

It's Nick Foles' turn to start as Eagles quarterback. Michael Vick started the preseason opener, and even though Foles took more snaps it was Vick's opening drive that served as the first punch in the quarterback competition.

Entering the second preseason game, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field, Foles will get the first chance to make a statement.

The two quarterbacks will split snaps and likely play through the second quarter. Vick's performance last week raised the stakes in the competition. So is it up to Foles to respond?

"No. I just need to go out there and play," Foles said. "It's the same way I've approached it."

After being in Philadelphia for just more than one year, that answer is typical of Foles. He's not one for a bully pulpit and elects often to remain understated.

But Foles is a competitive person, and time is running out for the quarterbacks to dramatically alter the competition. The second and third preseason games are the biggest tests remaining, and both quarterbacks must avoid mistakes and injuries.

Foles' preseason debut on Friday against the Patriots was shaky when he fumbled the ball after the pocket collapsed on his first play. He cannot afford to turn over the ball, especially after totaling more turnovers than touchdowns in 2012. Foles emphasized that he knows what he did wrong - he must take the sack or throw the ball away sooner - and that playing quarterback requires a "short memory."

Right after the turnover, Foles led a 10-play, 66-yard scoring drive during which he effectively executed the fast-paced, no-huddle offense that is key to coach Chip Kelly's scheme. It was a drive that revealed that Foles can run a Kelly offense. He made sound decisions, quickly went through his progressions, and even scrambled for 10 yards.

"That's what we want to model everything after," Foles said. "The tempo. That's what we want to do."

Even on the touchdown, an 8-yard run by Bryce Brown, Foles was prominently involved. The score featured a run-pass option. It was up to Foles to determine what to do. The Patriots defense had five players in the box. Foles knew he had a five-on-five look up front, which is a favorable situation for his offensive line. That's why he went with the running play.

"You really have to be able to react really quickly when that happens," Foles said. "It's just one of those things where you're out here in practice . . . you're seeing it. And then when you get in a game, you've [seen] it, and you can just react."

Vick must continue what he did in the preseason opener, albeit over a longer stretch. One noticeable change about Vick's two drives is that he didn't take big hits. That's due in part to strong offensive line play, although Vick has also made a concerted effort to quickly get rid of the ball. He rebuilt his body to avoid the injuries that have plagued his recent career, but even better than more muscle would be fewer hits.

Another key for Vick in Thursday's game is how he executes in the up-tempo offense. In Vick's start Friday, the Eagles came out at a conventional pace that included huddling. They didn't accelerate the tempo until Foles went into the game. This was by design, according to Kelly. But the coaching staff needs to see Vick play up-tempo and oversee the no-huddle offense.

Matt Barkley ran versions of both up-tempo and slower offenses. He said it was an adjustment huddling after the fast pace of practices throughout the summer. Barkley, who finished 11 of 22 for 103 yards and one touchdown, started off 4 of 11 for 22 yards. Kelly said Barkley made plays and threw decisively once he settled down, so the key for Barkley is to show the way he opened last week's game was first-game jitters and not a harbinger of inconsistency.

"Once I did kind of calm down to the basics, it was just playing good football," Barkley said. "Not pressure at all, just fired up, adrenaline rushing."

Each quarterback entered training camp knowing the value of the preseason games. The games won't be used exclusively in the evaluations of who starts the season, but Kelly will use them prominently.

"I think they're taking everything" into consideration, Foles said.

Click here for complete coverage of Philadelphia Eagles training camp.

Here's what else we'll be watching when the Eagles host Carolina on Thursday night:

Greg Salas. Few remember the wide receiver was a fourth-round draft pick in 2011. He jumped from the Patriots to the Eagles last season and didn't make a catch, but he's showing now what he's capable of.

Earl Wolff. The rookie took repetitions at safety with the first team Monday, but Bill Davis said it was just his turn in the rotation. Still, don't be surprised to see Wolff get valuable snaps with the starters.

Backup center. Dallas Reynolds has more experience, but Julian Vandervelde is ahead on the depth chart. Reynolds' snaps were shaky last week.

Jake Knott. If it wasn't for a shoulder injury, Knott may have been drafted in April. The Eagles may have found themselves a steal. He'll get second-team snaps at inside linebacker with Casey Matthews sidelined.

Tight-end use. James Casey didn't get any plays with the first team last week. Brent Celek and Zach Ertz started, but it's only a matter of time before Chip Kelly unfurls his three-tight-end look. - Jeff McLane
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