Jun 4, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) and quarterback Michael Vick (7) pass the ball during minicamp at the NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When last season ended, it was a forgone conclusion that Mike Vick would be released and Nick Foles would be the starting for the Eagles in 2013, but when Chip Kelly was hired, Vick went from testing the market to being the , presumed, perfect fit for Kelly’s spread offense. Though this seemed like the case, Coach Kelly has said he diesn’t need a running quarterback to run his system. So far, the Eagles haven’t put on the pads nor have they named a staring quarterback, but the quarterbacks have begun to master their new playbook and throw some passes in front of their new coaching staff. Without further adieu, lets get into the 2013 quarterback competition and predict the winner.

Mike Vick: Cut- This may come as a surprise to many, but I don’t think Vick is a good fit for this system because, in the past, he has never been good at what Chip Kelly’s offense demands of its quarterback, which are quick decision making and working the intermediate passing game. In the past, Vick has always been slow getting rid of the football and, especially in Coach Reid’s, Vick tried to throw bombs on every play and somewhat neglected the short passing game. Vick does bring great mobility to the quarterback position, which is an enticing trait, but other than that, I don’t see Vick as a good fit for this scheme.

Nick Foles: Starter- Whether Foles is the starter for the whole season or not, I believe Foles will be the starting quarterback week 1 in DC. Foles showed he has the ability to make quick reads and he has a very powerful arm. What Foles lacks in speed, which isn’t as concerning because of what Coach Kelly has preached to the fan base, but his accuracy isn’t great. Though Foles only had 5 interceptions, he got lucky on multiple occasions, he got lucky that defenders can’t catch because otherwise he would’ve had more like 10 interceptions. Not only this, Foles was also on pace for a worse TD/INT ratio than Mike Vick. I don’t see Foles as the long term option, but I do think he can bridge the Eagles quarterback situation until their future arises.

Matt Barkley: Backup- I’ll admit it, I’m a bit higher on Barkley than others because he was in the discussion for the number 2 overall selection last year, but he went back to school and he saw his draft stock plummet. I don’t believe that the talent that made him a top-10 pick disappeared and I believe Chip Kelly’s offense is a perfect fit for him and his talent will shine through…again. Barkley posses the two things that Vick doesn’t, which makes him a perfect fit for this system. Barkley makes quick reads and he’s extremely accurate in the short to intermediate passing range. I think Barkley will take over from Foles sometime during the season and he will be able to show case all of the talent that made him a top-10 pick a year ago.

Dennis Dixon: 3rd String- To be clear, I don’t think Dixon is a better quarterback than Vick, but due to the contract situation for Vick and Dixon’s history with Coach Kelly, I think Dixon makes the team. Dixon can mentor the other quarterbacks about the system and, as a 3rd string, Dixon gives Coach Kelly at least one quarterback that has the ability to run. I don’t think Dixon will see any playing time, but he could prove as a valuable back up.

GJ Kinne: Cut

So thats the quarterback competition. Let me know what you think about the competition and who you see as the winner. Also be sure to check in tomorrow when the running backs are put under the microscope.

Just going out on a limb here, but I don’t think you generally restructure an aging quarterback’s deal and keep him around for approximately $10 million if you don’t plan to start the guy. So that looks good for Michael Vick.

And I don’t think Chip Kelly is particularly enamored with the slow-footed Nick Foles. That also looks good for Vick.

And I don’t think Chip Kelly is particularly enamored with the quarterback talent in the upcoming draft. Yep, score another for Vick.

But Kelly said otherwise at his Monday afternoon press conference, refusing to divulge his plan at quarterback for the 2013 season. And why should he? It really doesn’t benefit the first-year head coach to show his cards in mid-February. Still, it would be hard to imagine Michael Vick holding a clipboard (barring injury) in 2013 behind Foles.

So what went into Kelly’s position?

“I looked at how he can throw, beat people w/ his feet … And then you look at the landscape at QB, who else is available?,” he said.

It’s generally assumed that Foles wouldn’t be able to run Kelly’s “style” of offense, but the head coach disagreed with the notion that the offense would vary depending upon who was running it.

“I don’t think it’s 2 different systems. Everyone wants to look at my past and paint you with a single brush. We’re an equal opportunity scoring operation. I don’t care if we run the ball in or throw it in. Our offense isn’t just one thing. You have to be built for anything in this league.”

If Kelly wants to sell an open competition between Vick and Foles, that’s fine. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter is gone prior to the start of the 2013 season.

We’ve already looked at some of the possible ramifications of the Eagles’ new deal with quarterback Michael Vick. Maybe Chip Kelly thinks he can revive Vick’s career with his offense. Maybe the Eagles don’t view Geno Smith, or any other quarterback in this draft class, as a viable long-term solution. Maybe he doesn’t view quarterback Nick Foles as a viable long-term solution.

In fact, it’s almost certain that Chip Kelly isn’t enamored with what he saw on tape of quarterback Nick Foles. Explains Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News:

Vick has said he is not amenable to staying here as a backup. The Chipper, after reviewing 2012 film, must think a 33-year-old Vick is a better option for his offense than Foles, the bigger, slower-footed 2012 rookie. He must also think he isn’t getting his longterm franchise QB out of the 2013 draft. So he’s going to try to buy a year with Vick, see how it goes, and if disaster ensues, as it did for Andy Reid the past two seasons with Vick, then there’s the 2014 draft and a more promising quarterback crop.

Foles never seemed like a true fit in Kelly’s offense, but those hoping to move on from Vick were attaching their hopes to Foles as the way out.

Of course, one potential trade destination for Foles would be Kansas City. You may recall that former Eagles head coach Andy Reid drafted Foles in the third-round a year ago. With the Chiefs’ quarterback situation a complete mess, Reid may call the Eagles about acquiring a familiar face.

As for the draft, many draft experts have linked West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith to the Eagles with the fourth pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The reviews on Smith vary, but he’s widely regarded as the draft’s best option at quarterback. The problem for Smith and the Eagles is that the team has so many other pressing needs. On a team with so many gaping holes throughout its roster, players like Star Lotulelei, Dee Milliner, Jarvis Jones, and Luke Joeckel would all seem to be better fits.