Just Let Him Play

NFL PRE-DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT:

Positives: Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Generally plays within himself. Team leader.

Negatives: Poor build…lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you’d like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can’t drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own.

Summary: Is not what you’re looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone.

People feel the incessant need to continue the debate on whether or not Nick Foles can bring the Eagles to the promised land of a Super Bowl.  Callers on sports-talk radio repeatedly call in, hedging their alleged football wisdom, with comments like “I think Foles will be a good quarterback, but not good enough to win a Super Bowl” or “Foles is a good quarterback, but not right for Chip Kelly’s system.”

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT FOLES WILL BECOME! The only way to know is to shut up and watch him play.  He recognizes coverages. He protects the ball.  He can throw the ball short and long.  Desean Jackson had a career year with Foles behind center and Riley Cooper looked like a starter with good upside. That’s right, Desean had more receptions and yards with Foles than he did with Vick or McNabb.  The knock, he’s not mobile.  RG3 is mobile, you want him?

Everyone is on the mobile quarterback kick.  I’ve heard it for the past two days with Wilson and Kaepernick in the NFC Championship games.  No one can deny that both of those quarterbacks can extend a play or run for the occasional twenty yards.  Guess what else is in the NFC Championship game?  The NFL’s two best defenses.  I don’t know if the NFC Championship game is proof that the mobile quarterback is the future or that having one of the league’s best defenses is the key.  I kind of think Flacco, Ryan, Stafford, Foles, Brees, Rivers, etc might all be in the a conference championship game with either one of those defenses.  I’ll always top a top defense over the top QB…see Trent Dilfer.

I’m not arguing for or against mobile defenses.  I’m not arguing for or against Nick Foles.  I like him.  The kid doesn’t rattle easily.  Most importantly, he continues to improve.  I have no way of knowing if that improving will cease or continue.  Nobody does.  The only thing we know is that he’s started seventeen games and looks better than most first round QBs, even those picked in the top ten, in their first seventeen starts.  At times, he even looked better than Brady, Montana, Big Ben, Manning and others in their first seventeen starts. Will he be as good as those? That’s probably unlikely, but still possible.  He may struggle next year.  Cam Newton certainly struggled in his second year as a starter.  Foles just needs to play. Yes, he looks like an awkward goon behind center, but he’s been productive.

I am arguing to detractors and doubters and those who have anointed him the next Brady to just shut up, let him play, and see how he develops.

BTW, the excerpts from the NFL draft scouting report was for this guy:

 
Tom Brady.   There is a chance that Foles will get stronger by working with NFL strength and conditioning coaches.  If the guy in that picture can get stronger, even I could.  There is a chance he’ll be able to throw with a bit more zip in the years to come.  I do like the fact that there are reports that Foles studies Terrific Tom, trying to emulate him.  From these words to god’s eyes or ears.  However, he’ll never be mobile and for some people, that’s all that matters.