Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The first preseason matchup for the Philadelphia Eagles will take place on Friday at Lincoln Financial Field against the New England Patriots, but head coach Chip Kelly has yet to announce his starting quarterback. It could be because he doesn’t know, or because he’s going to use the next four days and three practices against the New England defense to see just which quarterback is the right choice.
The quarterback competition has gotten old for many in the city of Philadelphia, but regardless, it’s about to heat up. Although being named the starter for the preseason opener doesn’t guarantee anything, it will mean that coach Kelly is leaning in one direction. It will also mean that he is making his first statement about who is leading the competition.
Kelly will take advantage of the next few days to see each of his quarterbacks against an opposing defense for the first time.
The situation isn’t optimal in the fact that it’s not an actual game, but it will provide more information than continuing to play against the Philadelphia defense day in and day out. The amount of reps that each quarterback will be given has yet to be determined, but consistently running the spread offense over those three sessions will go a long way in capturing the starting nod on Friday.
The decision has not gotten any easier for Kelly throughout training camp, with each of the quarterbacks performing well at different times. If anything, it has become more difficult.
Along with his cannon arm and enticing mobility, Michael Vick has shown consistency which has often been missing in his game in the past. Nick Foles continues to be steady, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in the spread offense. Both Vick and Foles hold the experience over rookie Matt Barkley, but Barkley has continued to improve, demonstrating anticipation and timing suitable for the speed of the NFL.
Each will probably get some time in Friday’s game, but only one can start.
It will be another interesting week in Philadelphia, not because Kelly and New England coach Bill Belichick will pick each other’s brain, combining some of the best football knowledge and innovation around; it’ll be interesting because there’s a game by week’s end, and Philadelphia still needs a quarterback.
Bob Francis is a Philadelphia Eagles contributor for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rfrancisjr, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
