Vick Stays, Foles Should Go: Here's why!

Michael Vick has been a polarizing figure every since the Eagles signed him after his brief prison stay. Its rare that brothers agree on a lot of things. And we at Brotherly Love Nation are divided on this topic. My colleague has already stated that he does not believe Michael Vick should or will be a member of the team in 2013. But I think that he is the teams best offense to run Chip Kelly's offense.  I will give you my reasons for why I think Vick should be on the team in 2013. 

---

I first want to state that I'm not a blind Vick loyalist as I supported Reid's decision to start the rookie over Vick in the final weeks of the season  And I was more than ready to say bye bye to Vick and let Foles be the starter for at least the 2013 season  But things changed the moment Reid was fired and Chip Kelly was hired. 

*This all hinges on Vick taking a significant pay cut by restructure his contract. He is not worth close to the $16 million he is owed.

Check out my Brothers opinion on the topic

1.  Most Coaches want "their Guy" 

 Most times when a coach goes to any team, they want "their" players. And many times that includes a QB.Over the last two seasons and 14 coaching changes, 12 of the coaches have either taken a QB in the 1st or 2nd round in the first two years, the QB was a recent 1st round pick or the QB had recently gone to a Pro Bowl.  6 coaches have taken a QB in the 1st or 2nd in the next 2 seasons  (5 1st, 1 2nd). In 4 occasions, the team spent a recent 1st round pick on a QB (3 top ten picks). 2 of the team's had a QB who has gone to a Pro Bowl in recent seasons (Romo and Cassel). The only 2 times that there has been a new coach and don't fit the last 3 criteria  Where both Raider coaches! And Foles is neither a former first round pick or a former Pro Bowl QB and the Raiders aren't a franchise you want to be like. 

2. Foles doesn't fit chip's system

Chip Kelly has already publicly stated that the "likes" Foles. I wouldn't read much into this because what is he supposed to say. I do think he does like Foles, but does he want to hand him the keys to the franchise? People have said that Kelly doesn't need a running QB, but  I think he needs some with some athleticism  And Foles may be the slowest QB in football. He had the slowest QB 40 time at last seasons combine (5.14). By comparison  Eagles tackle Jason Peters ran a 5.06 (in 2004) and he was listed at 336 LBS. 

My colleague also had a quote of Kelly saying his QB doesn't need to run and his QB only ran for 200 yards the previous season (2011). The part about the 200 yards is true (206 yards), but that same QB also ran for 486 yards the prior season (2010). And the in 2011, their starting QB ran for 752 yards and 5 TD's. Over Kelly's 6 seasons at Oregon (2 as OC, 4 as HC), his QB's have averaged 101 attempts for 568 yards and 7.50 TD's. Last season Foles had 11 attempts for 42 yards and 1 TD. Foles fit Reid's offense that valued quick decision making and precise accuracy  Kelly runs more of a wide open spread type offense. Will he bring this exact offense to the pro's? Probably not. But a large portion of it will come along. 

3. The future qb is not on the roster
 and Foles has more trade Value

FSU QB EJ Manuel. Future QB?

I think we can agree that Vick is not the QB of the future for this young Eagles team. Dennis Dixon has a great chance of making the team and Kelly is likely to either sign or trade for his future QB. So either Foles or Vick will be gone. With Vick's huge salary  he has ZERO trade value. On the other hand, Foles looked OK in his rookie season and could be valuable to a team that runs a West Coast type offense. If Foles can get you a draft pick (3rd?) and he's not your future QB, why not trade him. 

---

4. Kelly's offense is perfect for Vick

It's not a secret to Eagles fans, that Vick isn't great at reading defenses. He never had to at Virginia Tech or in Atlanta, so he never truly had to until he came to Philly. Kelly's spread  offense is fast paced and caters to Vick's strong arm and still (he has lost a step) elite atheltisim at the position  Kelly's offenses attack the defense and puts the defense on defensive by making them react. Not having his QB react to every little thing the defense does. It's pretty much, here's what we are doing. Stop it!

5. Kelly Can run his system in 2013 with Vick

This may seem like its the same as my last point but its not. I have already stated that the QB of the future is not on the team and that I think that QB will have above average athletisim. So it makes sense to run the offense in 2013 in a similar way to that of the future offense. If Foles is  the 2013 QB, he would have to run a slightly different offense. (less movement by the QB). Kelly could have Vick run the offense in 2013 and possibly 2014, allowing current players to get more comfortable in the system when the future QB takes over. 

Vick: Stay, Foles: GO

I think the consensus among most Eagles fans is that Vick should follow Reid out the door. But many feel that Foles is not the long term answer  I don't see the point in having Foles and his cement filled cleats on the team if he isn't the future starter. His strengths are not best utilized in the system has ran in the past. I may seem to be bashing Foles but I do think he can be successful in the right system. Unfortunately that system is not Chip Kelly's.  Vick on the other hand is obviously not here long term but should excel in Kelly's offense. 

Scott Glick

Follow @scottglick925 Follow @BLNPhiladelphia