When Mike Kafka, the 2010 4th round pick who was expected to be the Eagles’ primary backup this season, went down with a hand injury, it opened the door for Nick Foles, a 3rd round pick rookie originally viewed as a developmental 3rd string quarterback for this season, to become the Eagles’ primary backup. Foles has been just that in the Eagles’ first 2 preseason games and has definitely impressed, leading all quarterbacks in passing rating for the preseason, completing 24 of 38 (63.2%) for 361 (9.5 YPA) yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception, a QB rating of 118.4. Foles has definitely given himself a strong chance to remain the Eagles’ 2nd string quarterback when games count for real.
Foles has come in for an injured Michael Vick in each of the Eagles’ first 2 preseason games as well, as minor hand and rib injuries have knocked him out of the first two preseason games respectively. He’ll be fine for week 1, but it’s just a reminder that Vick is arguably the most injury prone quarterback in the league. In 9 seasons, he’s played all 16 games just once and it’s gotten worse as he’s gotten older. Now heading into his age 32 season, Vick has missed 7 games in the last 2 seasons combined.
Foles will start for Vick in the Eagles’ 3rd preseason game this week, as Vick is unlikely to play another preseason game, and, assuming Foles wins the job, he’ll probably have to make a few starts this season. If he does, the Eagles should be fine, as long as it’s not too extended of a period. He probably won’t play quite this well, but Andy Reid has a way of making quarterbacks look better than they are (Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, AJ Feeley, etc.).
Besides, he has arguably the best supporting cast in the league too as the Eagles possess a deep receiving corps, and top 5, if not top 3 running back, and a still above average offensive line, even after the loss of Jason Peters. Defensively, they have one of the best defensive lines in the league, one of the top cornerbacks in the league (Nnamdi Asomugha) and another one with some bounce back potential (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie). Their safeties and linebackers aren’t great, but they’ll be better than they were last season. If anything, Vick is what’s holding up this team.
In the long term, Foles projects as a possible successor to Michael Vick or possible trade chip for Andy Reid. Flipping quarterbacks that he makes look better than they are to unsuspecting teams is one of Reid’s favorite things to do (cut to Cardinals fans nodding sadly). Kafka, meanwhile, will find himself on the roster bubble come final cuts and will need the Eagles to keep 3 quarterbacks to make the roster.
If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2
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