The Super Bowl quarterbacks and the Eagles search for a quarterback
Baltimore's Joe Flacco and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick are the two quarterbacks in the Super Bowl. Neither has reached a Pro Bowl -- yet. (Kaepernick is in his first season as a starter.) During the next two weeks, the talking point topic of "elite quarterbacks" will become popular.
The Super Bowl quarterbacks and the Eagles search for a quarterback
Zach Berman
Baltimore's Joe Flacco and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick are the two quarterbacks in the Super Bowl. Neither has reached a Pro Bowl -- yet. (Kaepernick is in his first season as a starter.) During the next two weeks, the talking point topic of "elite quarterbacks" will become popular.
It generates debate, but there's no consensus on what an "elite" quarterback is. Is it someone who wins 60 percent of his games? Is it someone who makes the Pro Bowl every year? Does an elite quarterback require a Super Bowl ring?
I've stated before, in chats and on Twitter, that the Eagles' decision at quarterback this offseason is the most important one they'll make -- even more important than their coach. (Shameless plug -- there's a chat at 1 p.m. tomorrow) While this might be a slight overstatement, the fact remains that the Eagles have a great unknown at quarterback.
The Eagles need a solution at the position, and the rise of the Redskins this season illustrates what can happen when a team finds the right player. The option might not be Michael Vick or Nick Foles, as Jeff McLane pointed out last week. And there's much discussion about this being a relatively weak year for quarterbacks in the draft and free agency.
Of course, the 49ers had a similar situation to the Eagles when Jim Harbaugh inherited the 49ers, and all they've done the past two seasons is win. So the right player in the right system could be the solution.
But where does a team find him? That topic was analyzed in a November Inquirer story:
Of the 32 opening-day starters in the NFL this season, 26 were selected in the first and second rounds. And most of the elite quarterbacks are high-first-round picks. Of the 16 Pro Bowl quarterbacks taken in the first round in the last 20 years, 13 were taken in the top 11 picks. In April, general manager Howie Roseman said a team is "betting against the odds" when taking a quarterback after the first round
The goal is to make the postseason, of course, so an examination of this year's playoff quarterback shows that a first-round pick is helpful -- but not a neccessity. (See detais below) Neither Super Bowl quarterback was a top 11 pick, but neither has reached the Pro Bowl. Seven of the 12 starters were first-round picks, and nine of 12 were taken in the top two rounds.
This is fairly similar to the season-opening percentage in the NFL, and Tom Brady has long been an outlier. Perhaps more noteworthy is when the quarterbacks started with their teams. Only Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Brady, and Matt Schaub did not become regular starters during their rookie seasons. Only Peyton Manning and Schaub have switched teams. So half of the starters in the playoffs were identified as the team's potential franchise quarterback in the draft and given the starting job for their first career game.
There will be reports in the coming days that the Eagles are looking at quarterbacks in the draft. And they should. The Eagles have prime draft position, and if they find a quarterback they like, they should strike. The two Super Bowl quarterbacks is evidence that there's no clear formula for finding a winning quarterback, but the best teams still find a quarterback early -- and never let him go.
That's where the stories of Kaepernick and Flacco are worth analyzing. Neither quarterback drew a consensus as a probable franchise player, or else he would have been a Top 10 pick. But published reports from both years show that the team targeted the quarterback, and were determined to get him. In fact, both teams traded up in the draft to get the player. So watch closely if Chip Kelly or the Eagles targets a particular quarterback in the first two rounds this spring, and if so, the moves made to get that quarterback.
PLAYOFF QUARTERBACKS
49ers - Colin Kaepernick, 2nd round (No. 36 overall); Year 2, Game 10
Ravens - Joe Flacco, 1st round (No. 18); Year 1, Game 1
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Falcons - Matt Ryan, 1st round (No. 3); Year 1, Game 1
Patriots - Tom Brady, 6th round (No. 199); Year 2, Game 3
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Packers - Aaron Rodgers, 1st round (No. 24); Year 4, Game 1
Seahawks - Russell Wilson, 3rd round (No. 75); Year 1, Game 1
Texans - Matt Schaub, 3rd round (No. 90); Year 1, Game 15 (Became a regular starter Year 4, Game 1) [NOT ORIGINAL TEAM]
Broncos - Peyton Manning, 1st round (No. 1); Year 1, Game 1 [NOT ORIGINAL TEAM]
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Vikings - Christian Ponder, 1st round (No. 12 ); Year 1, Game 7
Redskins - Robert Griffin III, 1st round (No. 2); Year 1, Game 1
Bengals - Andy Dalton, 2nd round (No. 35); Year 1, Game 1
Colts - Andrew Luck, 1st round (No. 1); Year 1, Game 1
I viewed tape of Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib, Mike Glennon, and Barkley and I don't seem any of them worthy of the top 10 picks in the 1st round. In fact, it would be a stretch to consider that any of them are worthy of a 1st round grade.— sbmedlg- and your credentials are........what you drink beer and offer no evidence to support your general observation....you watched tape eh? My guess is you saw a little flash on the NFL Channel and decided to open up your pie hole..........I consider reading your opinion the most wasted five second of my entire life
- Gonna go way out on a limb here and guess that you are a Democrat, Tim?
I guess he didn't realize that the comments were for NFL GMs only. Or anybody who agrees with your opinion. Oh wait...you didn't give one, you just threw out insults.
Yup, democrat.— smfree31 - Who pee'd in your Cheerios this morning, Tim? Sbmedlg was just offering his opinion, no where does he state it's FACT, yet you jumped on him like two teenagers at a school dance. Take it easy dude!! Relax. Exhale. There ya go.
- DUMP VICK...Vick is an old washed-up turn-over machine that has LOST SEVEN GAMES IN A ROW...DUMP VICK — jim35
- We get it, Jim, you don't like Vick AND are very keen at cutting and pasting since you've posting this same garbage on every article regarding the Eagles. Get a life.
- I think Vick still has great instincts and some talent left. I was down on him this season, but after I saw Foles and how bad the O-line was, i gained new respect for him. If Vick had a good line, and did not feel so impelled to stay in the pocket all the time and to go back to his main gift of running, he might have a break out year.— Larry Byrd
- What games were you watching? For the past two years, Vick has been behind a better line than Foles, yes posted similar numbers to a 3rd round rookie. Not inspiring for a 33 year old veteran... By break out year, do you mean a femur or a rib? — chris_r
- Exactly right. Foles played half the season, and he still took more shots than most QB's. Vick can't be blamed for the Eagles troubles, because there were a lot of problems on both sides of the ball. The thing we can say is that through all the hits and injures, he still wanted to play. Most other QB's would have given up. But Vick practically played until he was couldn't see anymore.
— DJackFan - Compelled to sty in the pocket LOL Vick is overrated always was, can't take a hit, can't read a defense, looks to run first, and not that accurate of a passer. Look at the successful QBs big tough and strong leave the running to the running back. Its a skill nice to have but not that important. Vick is average at best — phillysmart
- Can't take a hit? What have you been smoking? He got hammered! How many times did he did nailed from his blind side where the defender came after him unimpeded? Vick's main problem is his height or lack of it. Often he is throwing to a spot with out seeing the action. Brees is only 6' as well but gets a heel of a lot better protection so he isn't dealing with defensive linemen in his face. I'm not saying Vick should stay, only addressing a ridiculous comment. — DelValLifer
- Oh, so many teams go the the playoffs that being a 'playoff quarterback" doesn't mean much. narrow the field to teams that win Conference titles and those QBs being first rounders and it's not all that important an indicator. being a "better team" means more $ to spend on a single player and that said it worth it to pay more to get a 1st round pick. One player does not make a team but one player may make a good team a much better team. Better teams, by definition, are better at picking talent and lesser teams pick players that are "consensus" quality. Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers didn't start until after their first years, and so too Colin K. Look at 1st rounders that start yr 1 gm 1 and MOST aren't on Conference winning teams, 'cuz the team isn't just one guy, right?!!!— Mark Howard
- Larry, you are right but listen to what you wrote. Vick is 32 and still waits too long on plays. Essentially, you are asking Vick to stop being Vick.— Bobby G
- @Bobby G- No, Andy asked Vick to stop being Vick and he took a beating for it. I agree with LB behind a good line Vick would have been great and if allowed to do what he does(escape bad situation on the field) behind that porous line we had this season thing would have turned out different, we might have at least made the playoffs.— realtruth
- Has there ever been a quarterback who at 32 resurrected his career by running the ball more? Vick was getting run by from behind by defensive linemen this year.— AreaMan
- I think if he's given a chance with Kelly's offense good line and the run support that he didn't receive Vick will excel.— realtruth
- The name of the game is Super Bowl wins. If a QB is good enough on a great team, the team will keep getting there, as in Terry Bradshaw. A great QB on a good team can only get you there now and then, as Brady and Manning have shown.
I wouldn't call them "elite", but there are probably only a dozen QBs who can get you there, even with a great team. Brees, Brady, Manning, Manning, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Luck, Griffin for sure. Wilson, Kaepernick, Flacco, probably. Ryan, Dalton, maybe. Foles, maybe, though early to say. Cutler has a great arm, Schaub can throw lots of yards without pressure, but not sure they have "it." Rivers looks great, but his team hasn't done much, and I think he's part of that culture. Couldn't say Vick would never win a Super Bowl, but he never did. I wouldn't start him at QB. At one time McNabb was up there with Flacco and Kaepernick, pretty darn good.— armchairGM - Well which receiver, tight end combination contesting for the championship best exemplifies the Eagles talent of all the teams that were in the thick of the competition in 2012? There are a few thing on the Eagles offense that need cleaning up for them to be relevant again.
There's not a Quarterback in the league that could have won with what we were putting on the field and backing up the starters with.— Dexter - i don't like the way Vick reads defenses,....i don't know if its because he's constantly pressured,...or he just doesn't read defenses well,...i like the way alex smith reads defenses,....but, he doesn't run like vick— SyddBarrett
- The trouble is is that Vick can not read defenses, he is a pure react type quarterback. Foles has worked behind the same line, yet has taken less sacks and hits by reading the D. Why? He makes quick reads, calls audibles and gets the ball out quickly. Vick is who he is. At 33, he will not change. THere is no indication that Vick's next 2 years will be any different than his last 2. He is a turnover machine. — chris_r
- Vick just doesn't have the smarts to read a defense, plain and simple. He got by on physical talent alone but when asked to use his brain, he farted.
- great point Dexter— sedale
- This article wasn't about Vick, but I couldn't disagree more with some of the comments in here.... He's a stand-up guy and I have a lot of respect for him, but unfortunately he's not a very good QB. If fact, he might have trouble catching on with an NFL team next year.— Mr. Magee
- I don't think the eagles will draft a qb in the first round. every one knows that's an obvious statement. I think or hope that Vick will restructure his contract and stay. There is an upside to having vick on the field, however he needs to have an offensive line to come back healthy too.That would give Vick time to do what he needs to do to run the new offense. Reading defenses is not Vicks forte but I would keep him anyway.
In the second or third round pick the qb that will challenge Foles as the number 2. Play Vick until Kelly gets going and gets a feel for the league. There is a lot of talent on offense and if only the o Line can get healthy and stay healthy, the Eagles will be back— RICKY101 - Vick will be gone no doubt. He is not a read and react guy and won't suddenly get it at 32.— JBP
- Agree with Dexter 100%. Our receivers dont scare anybody and neither one of them demands a double team.— Geno D
- Agreed with Dexter and Geno D. Eagles need that big tall fast stud receiver like the Dallas kid, Rutgers has 3 of those types that started for them, one of them a tight end!— antmry312
- im okay with top of second round getting a qb, but id prefer getting more picks and using them wisely on our needs and in any event keeping #4 overall and maybe 2 in the 2nd.— teenwolf
- There are no franchise QBs in this draft and QB is not the weakest link on this football team anyway. This team needs 2 corners, 2 safeties, Offensive tackle, offensive guard, a receiver bigger than my 11 year old daughter before they need to address the QB. (If Vick is the starter, then QB would move up higher on my list. QB has to at least minimize turnovers and be able to stay on the field to be good enough). — chris_r
- i guess you had to fill up space with this artiicle but your sonomng is awedll ths proves is that 1st round picks r better prospects but not needed, your article proves that look at the 2 QBs in the super bowl thats what the goal is both are real good and neither is a 1st rounder. Brady, Rodgers both SB winners— phillysmart
- I cannot understand all the Vick love. When Foles took his first few snaps, I thought it was quite evident that the QB IQ went up at least 30 points. You cannot win in this league with a dumb QB. He will be a backup somewhere else this year.— the toeman
- Vick and Trent Edwards are done. Eagles draft a QB and find one like Alex Smith in Free Agency.. Foles can compete for the starting job
— Shawnadelphia - i agree toeman about Nick...but andy really screwed us with that pick, because the kid has talent and can play..we need to figure out something to do with him. maybe andy will take him to kc in a trade and we can start over with a chip guy..not nicks fault..but if anything i hope chip figures out a way to use nick to his strengths— teenwolf
- @titleist_tim, every man is entitled to his own opinion and this is where you give your opinion. something tells me you would be a miserable person to spend a day with on the course.— 1000hugs
- Vick needs to restructure his contract or he will be gone...— ricciaje
- The biggest issue with Vick is that his next concussion might very well be his last. That is unavoidable, even with the best O-line.— DaveCicc
- Did anybody watch any Eagles games this past season? As soon as the ball was snapped, whoever was the QB was running for his life. The O line needs to be built up through the Draft with Young talent and a Safety who can tackle would be nice also. Quaterbacks can be had in the later rounds as proven by San Francisco. Their no good without the blockers anyway.— V7110
- Drew Brees was drafted in the 2nd round.
Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round.
Aaron Rodgers was drafted in the bottom of the 1st round.
Colin Kaepernick was drafted in the 2nd round.
The Eagles better not waste a high pick on this weak QB class. Nothing but a bunch of Blaine Gabberts and Kyle Bollers coming out this year.— EmanuelP - Put any one of those QB's on the Eagles roster and they miss the playoffs. Why? The offensive line stinks. Did you see any of the QB's playing last Sunday running for there lives? No. And what have we watched for the past 3 season? Our QB running for his life. Geez we even had Michael Vick, the fastest QB on the planet get the stuffings knocked out of him. I would love to see the Eagles get a stud right tackle with that number four pick, a guy who can dominate for the next ten years at that spot. All this talk about QB is just plain crazy when you look at the Eagles weeknesses. Poor O-line play and poor secondary play. The craziest part is, there isn't a good QB in the draft. Zack, football 101, the game starts up front.— Craig321
- @chris r yea Foles is so good at reading defenses but only threw 6 touchdowns in seven games, and didn't he get put on the IR list? Yea yea chris R— Lpboys
- I think MV 7 has some game left in him. I don't think it will be with The Birds. The only way he stays, is if he is willing to renegotiate his contract. That's an outside chance at best.— usedtobefromphilly
- LAST VICK POST...HOPEFULLY! VICK IS DONE! OK? THERE I SAID IT!! Nothing against Mike Vick, he has more heart and competitiveness than most men, but his tank is empty & his decision-making processes aren't good enough to be an elite NFL QB. Maybe the Jets or some other losing/poorly run/clueless organization can take a flyer on him, BUT PLEASE NOT OUR EAGLES!!!! Time to move on baby!— TruthTeller01
