Howie Roseman Puts Nick Foles Question To Bed Once and For All

 

Nick Foles put up historic numbers last season after taking over the starting quarterback job just before midseason, and Thursday Eagles general manager Howie Roseman slammed the door shut on any hints of a quarterback controversy. 

 

In spite of the second-year quarterback tossing a total of 29 touchdowns and two interceptions, including two scores in the playoffs (where he left the wildcard round loss with the lead), completing the most passes downfield of 20 yards or more and leading the league in quarterback rating, it seemed that there were lingering doubts about his status moving into next season as Chip Kelly allowed at season's end that the team would always look for competition at the position. 

 

Roseman though, clarified those comments at the scouting combine and in the process put the organization's confidence in the Arizona product front and center. 

"There's not an opportunity for a starting spot here. I think that's a reflection on Nick Foles and where he is in his career," said Roseman.

After unseating Vick and starting ten games last season, Foles seemingly won over Kelly and the front office with his near flawless ability to execute a system based primarily on timing, repetitive accuracy and the ability to sell the play fake in the backfield. 

Those assets should serve Foles well heading into 2014, at least in the perception of the front office. 

"Throughout our organization, he has tremendous support from all of us," Roseman said. "You watch him at the Pro Bowl and you see him having fun and winning the MVP, it's prideful. He represents us tremendously well. He had a tremendous year. He's a young quarterback who really fits into our culture and our chemistry.

"I just want to make sure we're clear the question of the quarterback position is a broader question about the competition level. It's not any slight on Nick Foles."

While there's little reason to doubt the Eagles will seek a backup quarterback, maybe even one to 'push' Foles in camp and beyond, there is no justification to this franchise spending a high draft pick on a quarterback. 

Be it a late-round pick or a free agent such as Matt Cassel who will be available when the market opens on March 11, the team will have options. 

However, as his production and skillset determined last year, the starting job is Foles' moving forward.