Michael Vick: Can the Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Win the Starting Job?

Michael Vick will start for the Philadelphia Eagles this week as Kevin Kolb sits out due to a concussion. After Kolb was knocked out of last week’s game, head coach Andy Reid said he would be the starter when healthy despite Vick's performance.

Players are not supposed to lose their jobs due to injury, but if Vick plays well and wins the game against the Lions, is it possible Reid will change his mind and have Vick start at quarterback?

In the half he did play, Kevin Kolb was ineffective. Kolb was 5-of-10 for 24 yards, and was only able to get three points out of the Eagles’ offense.

Vick played the second half and led the Eagles to 17 points while throwing for 175 yards and a touchdown. Vick also rushed for 103 yards and showed fans he is capable of returning to the dynamic playmaking quarterback everyone remembers in Atlanta.

No matter how well Vick plays on Sunday, he should not win the starting job. Vick is certainly the best option for the Eagles to win right now, but this team needs to look toward the future.

Philadelphia traded Donovan McNabb and gave Kevin Kolb $12 million to say he is their future quarterback.

If they are going to pay Kolb like the quarterback of their future, then they need to be patient and let him develop.

I expect Vick to play well in Detroit. He will have flashes of brilliance and will have Eagles’ fans pressuring Reid to keep him as the starter when Kolb comes back.

This would be a great short-term move, but is not in the Eagles' best interest.

Philadelphia needs to let Vick play this weekend, and then put Kolb under center as soon as he is healthy again.