PHILADELPHIA – Michael Vick is healthy. He appears ready to tackle his fourth season with the Eagles. And all signs are pointing to another standout season for the veteran quarterback.

But what about his backups?

That was one of the questions being bandied about Thursday as the Eagles returned to their training complex in Philadelphia — after training camp at Lehigh University — and continued preparations for Monday’s exhibition against New England.

There are plenty of options, of course. Philadelphia has Trent Edwards, Nick Foles and Mike Kafka on the roster. But Kafka has an injured hand and won’t play against the Patriots. Coach Andy Reid said Foles will be No. 2 on Monday, while Edwards is No. 3.

The team has high hopes for Foles, a rookie who threw for 4,334 yards and 28 touchdowns in his final season as an Arizona Wildcat.

“Well, listen, I think what you look at with any rookie is, are they getting better every day? He seems to be doing that and is more comfortable,” Reid said. “We’ve got a load of plays in for him and he’s able to recite those properly. Now it is just making sure he’s got everybody down and that comes with reps.

“But I would tell you we knew he was smart coming in and he hasn’t disappointed us in that area. He’s a pretty sharp kid, very diligent, works hard and all of those things.”

In a 24-23 win over Pittsburgh to open the preseason last week, Foles was 6 of 10 for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Edwards was 12 of 20 with one touchdown pass, and he certainly has the edge in experience. He’s appeared in 37 NFL regular-season games.

“He’s got a great attitude throughout this whole thing even when he wasn’t getting many reps,” said Reid.

 

Copy the Story Link