Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles Belongs in the Nest

Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles deserves a chance to prove he can be the team’s franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future. His masterful season two years ago should give him the benefit of the doubt. Last season was marred by injuries and a shaky offensive line – two ingredients for bad QB statistics. Bottom line – Foles belongs in the nest at least one more year.

With all the talk of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota ending up with the Birds, Foles looks to be the loser in that situation. Even if head coach Chip Kelly gives up his non-existent first born son to draft Mariota, is it worth it to jettison Foles? What happens if Mariota is a bust in the NFL? Kelly’s “system” looked great the first year, but then settled down as defensive coordinators figured out how to shut it down.

Kelly came into the NFL with a win now attitude. The results, back-to-back 10 win seasons and a rookie year NFC East Championship. But with all that success, fans demanded more. At the very least, a playoff win would have showed improvement. Instead, the team took a step back last year, pulling off a win over the New York Giants in the final week to equal the previous season’s win total.

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This year, with the draft still weeks away, the Eagles of 2013 and 2014 look nothing like they will for 2015. All Pro running back LeSean McCoy – GONE! Wide receiver DeSean Jackson – GONE! Quarterback Michael Vick – GONE! Offensive lineman Todd Heremans – GONE! Cornerback Cary Williams – GONE! Tight end James Casey – GONE! Some of those players deserved to move on, either because of poor play or a lack of fit with the culture. Others became a cap casualty in a team doing a major overhaul.

The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t seen a real “rebuilding” year in over a decade. Even when former head coach Andy Reid built the “Dream Team” and watched it fail miserably, the team had a strong veteran core to build around. Kelly is blowing all of that up, and building something that many still don’t know what it is. Hopefully, it is a team capable of winning a Super Bowl. In reality, the hope is a team that can compete for years to come. But the flip side is also true that this could backfire and send Kelly back to the college ranks.

Turning back to Foles, he has shown enough intelligence and football skills to earn another year as the starter. Even if Kelly gets his prized Duck (Mariota), give Foles the chance to lead this new Eagles team for 2015. It is Foles’ contract year, which means its all on him to produce or fade away. Either way, it gives time for Mariota to learn the NFL ropes, and not flame out too early. The Eagles cannot afford to go through what the Washington Redskins are going through with quarterback Robert Griffin III. Foles belongs in the nest for at least one more year!

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