Entering this season, there were question marks surrounding the Quarterback position. Do the Eagles need to draft a quarterback in 2014? Can Michael Vick step up and be healthy? Is Matt Barkley the future?
But not many people thought about Nick Foles.
After losing the preseason position battle to Michael Vick, Foles was written off. He can’t scramble. He doesn’t have a strong arm. He doesn’t have the mental strength to be a starting quarterback.
But something interesting happened in Week Four blowout courtesy of the Denver Broncos. Chip Kelly pulled his starters and put in his backups late in the 4th quarter. One of those backups was Nick Foles.
Foles drove the Eagles down for a touchdown, but he looked good. He delivered his throws quickly, looked poised, and was accurate. It was only one drive, but you saw something.
Fast forward to next week against the Giants when Vick gets injured, Foles enters the game and had a decent game with a stat line of 16-25 2 TDs and 197 yards passing. It wasn’t spectacular, but it wasn’t bad. He missed some open receivers but, he was coming off the bench and had not worked with the first team, so it wasn’t a surprise.
But then, it turns out Vick will miss the next few weeks with a pulled hamstring. Foles would have to start against the Buccaneers, a team that was winless at that point, but possessed one of the best Defenses in the NFL that featured Darrelle Revis, Lavonte David, and Gerald McCoy. It would be a bit of a surprise if he could put up big numbers on a desperate team that is playing at home.
But he lit up the Bucs. He went 22-31 for 297 yards and threw 3 scores and ran for one. The Eagles cruised to another win and were 3-3 heading into a midseason clash with the hated Cowboys.
Unfortunately that did not turn out so well. Foles went 11-29 for 80 yards and got knocked out of the 4th quarter with a concussion. The Eagles lost 17-3. Foles was written off as a fluke by many writers in the local media.
Then, on November 3rd, 2013, something no one could have predicted happened. Nick Foles tied an NFL record with seven touchdown passes against the Oakland Raiders. Fans were stunned. Hell, the Raiders were stunned. Charles Woodson said when asked if he knew Nick Foles could throw seven touchdowns, “I don’t think Nick Foles knew he could throw seven touchdowns in a game.”
It was the turning point of the Eagles season. Since the Raider game, the Eagles won seven of their last eight games, including victories over the Cardinals, Lions, Bears, and yes, the Dallas Cowboys.
In all those games, Foles grew and matured into the player he is right now. After every game, Foles thanks his teammates and espouses of winning as team. He never throws anyone under the bus. The team and coaches believe in him, and at only 24 years old, is one the team’s leaders.
But what impresses me the most about Nick Foles is his toughness. Sunday night against Dallas, Nick Foles took a beating. He was sacked five times and Dallas constantly sold out on the blitz. Most young QBs check out of the game, but Foles got back up and lead the Eagles to victory and to the division title.
Foles’ story reminds me of Rocky. In the movie, Rocky would get knocked down in life and in the ring, but he would dust himself off and get back to work.
One more thing, the theme for the Rocky movies is called, “Gonna Fly Now.” Ironic, don’t you think?
Actually, Quite a few regular posters on here were calling for the season to begin with Foles at the helm. Many of us saw potential going back to the very first Pre-season game he played in. Some of us even felt he should have started against the browns in 2012 based on that pre-season.
This particular time We were correct.
I never thought he would be putting up record breaking numbers just good ones. 7 TD passes in 3/4 of a game he easily could be the all time record holder with 8+. The impressive part though is that believe him when he says winning is more important.
The Eagles have a Starting QB and can draft ANY position they want and truly take the best player available.
Good story John.
Let’s Go EAGLES!!!
This article is a bit a bozo/ pre-mature hero worshipping article, but I guess it’s to be expected with pseudo professional writers…every writer in training wants to believe they have the inside track on everything.
Regal Eagle has it right in terms of the timeline corrections and Foles has grown by leaps and bounds. Coming from Kevin Kolb most locals could immediately tell Foles needed to get a shot at the starting job to see what would/could develop and that’s happening now.
Next year will be more interesting, and more difficult considering there’s now virtually a full season “on tape” of Foles, Chip Kelly’s offense and Billy Davis’ defense. Hopefully, the Eagles draft well, hopefully they sign Jeremy Maclin and hopefully they get at least one great safety.