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
IX. Overlooking Competition At Every Position
In 2013, the quarterback position was completely up in the air for the Philadelphia Eagles. Many presumed the wiley veteran who still had speed to burn Michael Vick would be the sure fire starting quarterback. Some observed the unflappable poise of rookie quarterback Nick Foles on a team plummeting to a 4-12 record, and believed in the new scheme he had earned the right to start. Head Coach Chip Kelly simply did NOT know, so he placed that, and many other positions, into a competition to force players to perform to the utmost of their ability. That performance would dictate who started and who did not.
That’s a far cry from the Eagles 2011 plan of drafting linebacker Casey Matthews, and anointing him to be the starter before he ever placed on the Eagles uniform. The pressure on him to immediately excel was beyond imagination. Another “draft to start” player was the hard hitting Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. Again, from draft to starting slot.
Competition in a professional sport is a very positive force. It incentivises top performances, giving all players motivation to learn and perform to the utmost in the training setting. Why? The best takes the starting role.
It helps veterans maintain that “eye of the tiger” feeling that can be lost in routine practices, but immediately shows up in the NFL games. It helps rookies learn, to try, and to keep on trying, with the knowledge that when (not if) they master the position, they have a reasonable chance of earning playing time. A great example of good healthy competition emerged when Eagles starting center Jamaal Jackson was injured, and the team found a center in the sixth round of that 2011 draft class- Jason Kelce.
Reminding offensive line coach Howard Mudd of former player and pro bowler Jeff Saturday, Kelce was given more and more opportunity with the first string until a decision was made that Kelce has earned the starting role. Would that have played out differently if he had been announced as the starter on draft day? We’ll never know, but I’m glad we won’t have the chance to find out.