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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly preaches great decision making and repetitive accuracy as his most important attributes at the quarterback position, but the fact is he has for the most part always had a solid athlete at the position as well.
Michael Vick is one of the best athletes of all time at the position without question, and Nick Foles showed last year he can make quick and accurate decision. While Matt Barkley looks to be cut from the same cloth as Foles, but each has what the other one is lacking. Vick has that dynamic and elite athletic ability, but has proven over the years to be lacking in accuracy and decision making. Foles and Barkley have the pedigree and have shown they can command an offense and make great decisions, but neither has proven to be a capable enough athlete to run an offense which heavily incorporates a read -ption.
It is entirely possible Kelly’s ideal quarterback is not yet on the Eagles roster. A guy like Marcus Mariota, who Kelly coached up close and personally at Oregon for a few seasons, would seem to be the ideal fit as he is a great decision maker and also is a dynamic athlete that threatens defenses with his arms and legs. Other prospects that would seem to fit Kelly’s offense to a tee include Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Tajh Boyd and Brett Hundley.
2013 will be a crucial year in Kelly evaluating if his quarterback of the future is on the current roster. He needs to see what he has in Foles and Barkley, two young signal callers who could prove worthy to be at the controls for years to come. If that has to happen at the expense of Vick, then so be it. Regardless, it is very possible the future at quarterback on the Eagles is not currently a member of the 53-man roster. 2013 will be huge in answering the all-important question. Who is the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of the future?
