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Hate to say I told you so.
From the beginning of the Philadelphia Eagles’ overly debated, way-too-extensively covered 2013 quarterback battle, I have continually insisted, without any doubt, that Michael Vick would be named the Birds’ starting signal-caller.
Well, Eagles brand-new, first-year NFL head coach Chip Kelly made his decision public on Tuesday, naming Vick as his starter ahead of second-year QB Nick Foles. And while Eagles 2013 fourth-round draft pick QB Matt Barkley battled for the job as well, Kelly made it clear early on that the real dog-fight (pun certainly intended) was between Vick and Foles.
Following the Eagles’ first two preseason contests against the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, respectively, Vick gave Coach Kelly absolutely no choice but to name him the starter.
Vick was able to tally up a combined 199 yards through the air on just 15 pass attempts; completing 13 of which for an incredible 87% completion percentage. The 10-year vet also added a touchdown pass, which came on a 47-yard bullet to Vick’s go-to WR DeSean Jackson in their opener versus the Pats. Vick also only committed one turnover throughout these two match-ups, which hardly even counts in my book considering it was an interception on a desperation heave at the end of the first half against the Panthers.
On the other hand, Foles did absolutely nothing to even compete for the starting spot, totaling just 96 yards on 14 throws (11 completions) with zero passing touchdowns. He also threw a humiliating end-zone interception against the Panthers and lost a fumble to the Pats. Foles’ only highlight of the preseason came on a panic-fueled, unimpressive 7-yard touchdown run.
With Vick now officially at the helm as the leader of Kelly’s highly explosive, up-tempo, go-go-go style spread system, expect fireworks immediately out of this revamped, endlessly athletic Eagles offense.
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