By David F. Cohen
Most fans in Eagles Nation are running around with their hair on fire on the subject of Nick Foles.
HE’S THROWING OFF HIS BACK FOOT!
HE CAN’T READ DEFENSES!
MARK SANCHEZ NEEDS TO REPLACE HIM NOW!
The truth is that Foles was not as good as he looked last year when he threw for 29 touchdowns and only two picks.
And he is not as bad as he looks this year. Foles already has nine interceptions and he’s lost three fumbles. His completion percentage (59.2) and his passer rating (80.7) both are sixth-worst in the NFL.
Here’s Chip Kelly take:
”I think you rate your quarterback in terms of, ‘Are you winning, are you losing?’ Nick is 5-2.”
”I have to do a better job,” Foles said. ”Words can’t describe it. I have to keep working on fundamentals, footwork and decision-making. I’m going to keep studying film and keep working. It’s all correctable and I can fix it. My words don’t mean anything. I have to go out there and prove it.”
Foles threw two picks in a 24-20 loss at Arizona on Sunday and misfired on three straight passes from the Cardinals 16.
”It’s a concern when we turn the ball over,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. ”We’ve got to correct the errors that we make in terms of turning the ball over, and again there’s a reason for it. And we’re just going to have to just continue to try to improve it, and I think that’s really it.”
Kelly wouldn’t put all the blame on Foles.
”I know we’ve thrown nine interceptions, but there’s not a consistent (thing),” he said. ”Sometimes it’s the rush, sometimes we weren’t running the proper route, and sometimes it’s the quarterback.”
Foles threw one interception against Arizona off his back foot instead of getting set in the pocket. He’s only been sacked twice in the past six games, but he’s made risky throws to avoid the rush at times.
”What I’m finding with Nick is when he sets his feet and steps into the throws, he’s awesome,” Shurmur said. ”What we’re also finding is there are times when he gets flushed or he flushes himself and he doesn’t have his feet underneath him and he’s not as good as he could be if they were, and I think that can be said for all quarterbacks. When we do flush, we’ve got to remain a passer.
”There are times when an incomplete pass is really the right thing to do,” Shurmur said. ”But as a passer, if you can stay in the pocket, trust the pocket, there’s no reason to flush, go through your progression, as the down gets late, then you start to use your feet and do the right thing with the football.”
The defending NFC East champion Eagles are only a half-game behind Dallas (6-2) in the division and still have two games remaining against the Cowboys. Though Sanchez, the formerNew York Jets star, excelled in the preseason, he won’t get a chance unless Foles is injured.
