Kelly Knows Who His Starting Quarterback Is

Everyone hold on to your seat; Chip Kelly is going to make the starting quarterback announcement today.  Ease up on that grip; the announcement is only to name the starting quarterback for the Eagles third preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The early speculation that the first year coach would do as he did during his tenure at Oregon; waiting until the final week or two before the season started to make the starting quarterback decision; is now true at the professional level.

Is this tactic by Kelly necessary with what we have seen from Michael Vick so far this pre-season?  Kelly is looking for a quarterback who can throw the ball with zip and is also able to run.  It’s effortless for Michael Vick throwing the football, and we know he still has above average speed at the quarterback position.  We know Vick can make something out of nothing; he can dazzle us by eluding defenders and throwing fifty yards with the flick of a wrist.  So far this preseason Vick has shown a quicker effort to get the football to his receivers.  Vick appears to have a calmer demeanor at the line of scrimmage, a better communication with his offensive line and offensive weapons.  No longer is his head coach a former quarterback coach.  Kelly has simplified things for Vick, and we have seen the results over the course of the first two preseason games.

The third week opponent for the Eagles is a very bad football team.  The Jets looked like a Super Bowl contender with their week two dismantling of the Jaguars.  What would Chip have to see for Vick to not earn the starting quarterback position?  Would a fumble or interception be the deciding factor to give Nick Foles the nod over Vick?  Foles himself has both a fumble and interception so far this preseason; so I don’t believe turnovers would be the deciding factor.  Vick is likely going to be the starter on Saturday.  He received the first team snaps throughout weekend practice.   Vick should play the first half behind center, against the first team defense and with the Eagles first team offense.  Even if Foles plays the entire second half, he would be running with the second and third teamers; while the opposing defense would also be the back-ups.

What if Kelly already has his starting quarterback?  The psychology of the game is such a critical dividend between being a good and great football team.  Could it be possible that Kelly has seen all of the play-making and fundamentals needed to make Vick the Eagles starting quarterback?  Does Chip see the opportunity for both the mental and emotional make-up to be strengthened with continuing the quarterback competition this late into the pre-season?  Vick has been the starter since the days of playing pop-warner football.  Vick has been the best athlete on the football field, and was able to make plays because of his God given talents.  Those same talents that Vick truly believes in have caused him to be humbled by numerous trips to the injury reserved list.  What if “uncertainty” is one of the biggest assets Chip views necessary for Vick to re-define himself in the NFL?

Kelly has re-introduced the game of football to Michael Vick.  You can choose to believe Vick when he speaks openly about how the love of the game, the excitement to “come to work each day” is a feeling he has never had before.  I’m a believer in what Vick is saying.  He has been open to the media and fans about all of his struggles since arriving to Philadelphia.   I believe Chip will call plays that will minimize opportunities for Vick to turn over the football.  Chip is without the magic eight ball to shake up and ask the question, “Will Vick stay healthy for the entire football season?”  Kelly knows who his starter is, and he is the only person that needs to know.  We must trust that Kelly has his own way of doing things to return the Eagles to a position of Championship contention.