Courtesy: CBS Local Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles have a tough decision to make with quarterback Nick Foles. He will be due for a contract next season, while the team wonders if he can lead the franchise. The question is whether they should should trade their incumbent starter in hopes of moving up in the NFL Draft to acquire Oregon product (and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly’s protege) Marcus Mariota.
The cost to jump from the the 20th overall pick in range to select the Heisman trophy winner will be astronomical. With Marcus Mariota likely going in the top five six picks (and quite possibly first overall), the Philadelphia Eagles would have to mortgage their future on one player. They will likely have to offer at least match (and likely exceed) the deal the Washington Redskins spent on moving up four draft spots for Robert Griffin III in 2012 (three first round and a second round pick).
But teams that have found a franchise quarterback are perennial Super Bowl contenders. Many believe Mariota can be that player. But can Nick Foles elevate his game to that level?
During his second season, where he started 13 games, Nick Foles was arguably the most efficient quarterback in the NFL. His 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio was the greatest in NFL history. But his statistical regression and injury history (he has never completed a full season in three years) have led to questions about his future with the team.
Yet Nick Foles was not nearly as bad as made out to during 2014. Though he had just as many turnovers (10 intereceptions, 3 fumbles) as touchdown passes, it was not all his fault. The offense as a whole was not nearly as effective in the second season under Kelly.
The lack of consistency by the offensive line not only played a role in Nick Foles own completion struggles, but also slowed the running game. The Arizona product never had the Philadelphia Eagles starting unit blocking for him in his eight starts. Teams were able to get consistent pressure, knocking around Nick Foles regularly. And it was a hit against the Houston Texans that caused his broken collarbone and ended his season short.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
While running back LeSean McCoy found inconsistent running lanes, which allowed defenses to focus more on the passing game. When the Philadelphia Eagles were the top rushing team in the NFL during 2013, the pass-catchers regularly saw only single coverage on the outside. That is why Nick Foles was able to complete almost 70% of his passes when the team was winning. Opponents had to pay extra attention McCoy in the backfield, as he was chewing up yardage and bleeding the clock.
Without the productivity on the ground, the Philadelphia Eagles were forced into more passing situations in 2014. Nick Foles average attempts per game increased from 24 the previous year, to almost 39. Proving less is significantly more when it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
With all that, Nick Foles is still the a winning quarterback. He is 14-4 over the last two seasons as a starter, while completing 60% of his passes. In the end, he has consistently put his team in the right position for victory.
But will he ever be the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Probably not. Though Nick Foles could become a Joe Flacco type of player. A player that just wins games. And that has proven to be enough to win a Super Bowl in the recent history.
Marcus Mariota could become a superstar in the NFL, but the Philadelphia Eagles are close to becoming a dominant team in the NFL. Instead of wasting precious assets on acquiring a rookie quarterback, they should trust the one they have and build around him. Using their draft picks to fill necessary holes in the defensive backfield and add offensive depth could be enough to get them back into Super Bowl contention.
Expect improvements from Nick Foles in 2015 in his fourth season; if he remains in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. Two straight 10-win seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles should be enough to give him another shot with a developing roster and an innovative offense. In a contract year, he will be determined to prove his doubters wrong and get back to his 2013 form.
