Philadelphia Eagles News: Philly Needs Nick Foles to Impress in Backup Role

The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded and pumped for a Super Bowl run—as long as Michael Vick can stay healthy—and there is little reason to think he can make it through a season. Vick appeared in 12 games in 2010 and 13 last season. 

At 32, chances are good he will miss even more time this season. Hence the Eagles' need for a quarterback to come in and protect their chances of success. 

Philadelphia currently has rookie Nick Foles, who they selected in the third round out of Arizona from this past draft, and veterans Mike Kafka and Trent Edwards vying for the backup spot. 

Kafka has the inside track to this spot, as he was on the roster last season, but he is currently nursing a hand injury that will keep him out of Monday night's game against the Patriots.

Besides, having the lightly-used Kafka at backup is less than ideal. 

So the Eagles will insert Foles into the backup role, as Bob Ford of Philly.com reports, against the Patriots, and hope that he shows enough potential to seriously be considered for that same role during the season. 

Foles did everything he could in the Eagles' preseason opener as he torched the Pittsburgh defense to the tune of 6-for-10 passing, 144 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

While Foles will certainly experience growing pains, he is the one QB on the roster behind Vick that would allow the Eagles to run a similar offense. 

The 6'6" Foles won't be mistaken for Vick when he runs the ball, but he has the arm cannon which will leave defenses on guard against deep bombs to speedy wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson. 

This will help keep defenses honest and from stacking the box. 

Both Kafka and Edwards are hurting for arm strength, and their appearance in the offense would limit the Eagles' ability to use some of their more potent weapons. The veteran pair of backup QBs would reduce the Eagles to running a more ball-control-oriented offense and hoping the defense does enough for them to win. 

Foles is the lone backup QB with the ability to spark this offense. He certainly has a steep learning curve, but with another performance like he turned in against the Steelers, the Eagles' season will look a lot brighter.