I guess Chip Kelly is getting tired of being asked who his starting quarterback is.
He only has himself to blame. For weeks the Eagles new boss played coy with the question, not yet ready to commit to either Michael Vick, and then Nick Foles.
Kelly insisted on playing it close to the vest, saying it would depend on who's healthy.
That's not really in question any more. Since Vick went down with a hamstring injury a month ago, Foles has been playing at an All-Pro level. His name is popping up repeatedly in sentences with names like Peyton Manning.
Yesterday, Kelly apparently heard the tired question of his starting QB one more time than he really wanted, responding that Foles would be his quarterback "for the next 1,000 years."
He was joking. I think.
But Kelly still qualified his comments by saying it was still dependent on Foles staying healthy, and underlined by pointing out the number of QBs who have gone down with injuries this year.
Kelly may have been able to laugh off the question about his signal-caller, but not as likely to go away are the questions about his use of the clock while nursing big leads.
I know, it's a great problem to have. But Kelly and his offense seem to have trouble adjusting their pace once they build a lead. Several times in the past few weeks they have watched a big first-half lead be frittered away.
Kelly also will be scrutinized about his use of the clock. His offense often comes up to the line with as much as 15 seconds still on the play clock, then will sometimes stand there and wait for it to run down, at times looking at the sideline for a signal.
I don't know if this has anything to do with the Birds' offensive struggles in the second half, but it's something Kelly will have to deal with.
Granted, it's a problem a lot of coaches would like to have. And it has yet to cost the Eagles a game. Close does not count in the NFL. Only the final score does.
And right now, the numbers say Kelly and the Eagles are 7-5 and tied with the Cowboys atop the NFC East. They control their destiny, although they might have to rattle off four more wins to reach the playoffs.
Admit it, you never thought we'd be in this position.
Meaningful Eagles football in December. Another reason for thanks, even if it does comes with a bit of agita for the coach when it comes to his starting QB, and for fans on the edge of their seats for those final, thrilling minutes.
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