Between Chip Kelly’s system and LeSean McCoy’s record-setting season in 2013, Nick Foles was the story of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Going into 2014, now he’s the face of the franchise.
Foles is the quarterback fans have been waiting for. Through all of the patch work done at the position since Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington in 2009.
Foles isn’t in the clear just yet. One season of success was great. But season two is even more crucial to proving himself and earning the respect of everyone in the league.
He has opened eyes, but has he opened them enough? And is Foles prepared to fail at times? Former Eagles quarterback and Eagles Hall-of-Famer McNabb weighed in.
"I’m just worried about that aspect, not so much of his health, but can you be consistent like what we saw last year?” McNabb said on FOX Sports 1. "We’ve seen so many quarterbacks give us one year of greatness, and then all of a sudden they can’t live up to the expectations. I’m not saying he can’t do that in that offense, but I think expectations are a little bit too high for Nick Foles."
McNabb isn’t wrong to think that Foles may not be able to reach the expectations that most people are laying out for him. He was nearly perfect in 2013. To think he will repeat that is absurd.
But McNabb worries about Foles ability to ignore the backlash when he does fail. It hasn’t happened yet and McNabb knows very well the response that awaits Foles when the time comes.
"If he can’t do the same things he did in that first season, it’s gonna be tough," McNabb said. "Just be ready for the boos.
"When you're in command of an offense like that, the confidence is so high going into this offseason about Nick Foles, instead of the offense. Guys remember that. Guys have that in mind going into workouts, and they're hearing so much about the quarterback. But for Nick Foles, he’s never truly been a guy where the focus is on him. In Philadelphia, the focus is on the quarterback."
Speaking of which, DeSean Jackson seemed to offer a parting shot to Eagles fans when he was interviewed at Redskins camp on Monday. When asked how he liked being part of Washington’s camp, the former Eagles receiver noted fan support.
"They’re very supportive here. They’re open," Jackson said. "In Philly, sometimes, things get a little negative. They boo their own players. Here you don’t really get that."
Eagles fans are who they are, and Foles says he is going to just be himself to reach the same level, if not grow, in 2014.
Discussion is already heating up around the NFL. The itch is there. Let the games begin. They will for Foles and the Eagles on Aug. 8.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
