Philadelphia Eagles: Is Michael Vick Really the Right Quarterback for the Job?

The Philadelphia Eagles have all the talent in the world, but Michael Vick—the one player who is supposed to make the whole thing work on offense—doesn't look like the right man for the job. 

Yes, the Eagles won their Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, but Vick didn't play like a franchise quarterback. He made unconscionable decisions with the football and turned the ball over four times. The way he played was something you'd expect from Brandon Weeden, but Vick's mistakes were ones a veteran quarterback with nine years of experience should never have made.

The Eagles would be better off at this point starting Nick Foles. 

This isn't some snap judgement I'm making based off one game, either. Vick had a subpar season in 2011, partly due to injury, completing less than 60 percent of his passes and throwing almost as many interceptions as touchdowns.  

Injuries are part of the reason Vick should be replaced, if you ask me. He was injured twice in the preseason, and it's clear from what we saw today that he still hasn't learned his lesson about getting rid of the football before disaster strikes. 

Watching Vick play these days is like watching an instructional video on how not to play the professional quarterback position. He constantly puts himself in harm's way, and there's no chance in hell he's going to stay healthy this season if he continues to hold onto the football when the pocket breaks down.

Some of Vick's throws under duress on Sunday against the Browns were clearly desperation passes that never should have been thrown, and some of them were thrown while he was being hit by at least one defender. 

The Eagles should forget about waiting for another apocalypse to strike and just go with the rookie. Foles is going to be playing at some point this season anyways, and it would be better off for the long-term success of the team in 2012 to let him get fully acclimated to the job at the beginning of the year rather than having him come in when Vick gets hurt...again. 

Foles showed amazing poise, accuracy and an understanding of Andy Reid's offense during his time behind center in the preseason. He completed 63.5 percent of his passes in preseason, throwing for six touchdowns and two interceptions. Foles can still be molded, whereas it seems like Vick hasn't changed the way he plays one iota since his days as an Atlanta Falcon. 

Vick isn't going to change. He is going to continue taking big hits, throwing the ball up for grabs in double and triple coverage, and giving the ball away in the process. Foles can't do worse than Vick at this point, and the best thing Reid and Co.  can do right now is let the rookie make his bones while the season is still young. 

It wouldn't be the first time a rookie quarterback helped a veteran team loaded with studs across the board make it to the playoffs—just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. 

Vick isn't the right quarterback to lead the Eagles to the promised land, and the Eagles need to make their move now before they lose another entire season like they did last year. 

Follow Jesse Reed on Twitter.