Nick Foles has joined the legions of NFL players dealing with concussion issues.
Michael Vick is still nursing a balky hamstring.
Matt Barkley is, well, Matt Barkley.
That is the bleak situation facing Eagles coach Chip Kelly as he begins to prepare his team for a date with the Giants next Sunday at the Linc. The Giants managed to finally break into the win column last night with a Monday night win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Somehow, I don't think the fact that the Giants will be working on a short work week is going to be much comfort to the Eagles boss.
His high-octane offense is out of gas. On Sunday his receivers could not break free of the press coverage the Cowboys used to smother DeSean Jackson and pals.
The 'Boys loaded up in the box and shut down LeSean McCoy and the Eagles ground game.
That Left Nick Foles to stand in the pocket .... and stand .... and stand.
Foles looked like a statue as he held the ball and waited for someone to get open. It didn't happen. His game went downhill from there.
Yesterday Kelly was not giving any hints what his plan is for the quarterback situation. He's going to need one soon. All indicators is that Vick will be behind center on Sunday, even if he is not at 100 percent.
That plan is laden with pitfalls. Vick acts on his instincts as much as anything. We've seen that in his inability to master the idea of sliding to avoid contact. He continues to leave himself open by going head-first.
So I'm guessing his initial instinct when under fire from the Giants on Sunday will be do do what he always does in those situations - run.
And if his hamstring pops again, that popping sound you hear may just be a pin going into the Eagles season.
If Vick is healthy, he's the guy. That's the problem. Once the season starts, Vick is too often not healthy. Even if he plays on Sunday, he's likely not going to be 100 percent.
But at this point, that remains a better option than a still shaken Foles and the untested Barkley.
Kelly somehow has to construct an offense that can protect Vick while still putting up enough points to beat the Giants.
Actually, his real task likely will be to protect Vick from himself.
If he manages to do that, he'll be the first coach to manage that feat.
If he doesn't, we could be entering the Matt Barkley Era much sooner than anyone thought.
Where have you gone, Dennis Dixon?
Comments