No quarterback is entering into training camp to become a backup and that is certainly the case with the Philadelphia Eagles. As training camp begins, the Eagles have five quarterbacks on the roster and no one is looking to take a back seat to the other. While head coach Chip Kelly continues to insist that everyone will get a fair shot at becoming the starter, the quarterbacks are all taking that statement seriously.
The Eagles have veteran and assumed starter Michael Vick leading the pack. Nick Foles who starter for the injured Vick last season is ready to make his presence felt, while rookie Matt Barkley is there to prove why he was once considered the best quarterback in college football. Add Dennis Dixon and G.J. Kinne into the mix and the position group is crowded.
Both Foles and Barkley are taking the attitude that they can just as easily win the starting quarterback spot on the team like everyone else.
"I'm not here to be a backup," Foles said to PhillyMag.com. "I'm here to be the guy. I don't think we play this game to sit on the bench. We play it to play, and I'm here to play."
Many believe the Eagles quarterback contest is between Vick and Foles. Kelly is likely going to run a more read-option offense similar to the one in place at Oregon. Vick is the better quarterback for the system as he is quicker on his feet and more mobile outside of the pocket. But Foles is not going down without a fight and neither is Barkley.
The drafting of Barkley was a bit of a surprise. A more traditional style quarterback, Barkley does not appear to fit in with Kelly's assumed play, but the rookie has the mindset of a starter entering into training camp.
"Your mindset has to be that you're in the race to start," Barkley said. "You've got to have that mindset. I'm in a competition regardless of what everyone else is saying. You just have to practice that way, of always trying to compete. I couldn't care less about what people are talking about. I don't listen to that...I feel like I'm part of that race, whether people are saying that or not."
Everyone certainly has the right attitude. Early reports are that Vick has the upper hand given his experience and skillset, but Kelly is not about to given into the media and name a starter just as training camp begins. He has always insisted the spot is up for the taking and it will likely remain like that unti closer to the season starting.
