Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
When Chip Kelly brought his high-octane offense to the Philadelphia Eagles, people salivated over the prospect of quarterback Michael Vick spearheading the attack. The former number one overall pick with the speed of a wide receiver looked to be a natural fit in Kelly’s offense. However, after an injury in Week 5 last season, Vick never regained the starting job and is now with the New York Jets. Nick Foles replaced Vick and never looked back, leading the Eagles to the NFC East title and proving that he is a great fit in Kelly’s offense despite possessing below average running ability.
Foles started for the Eagles in his rookie year under former head coach Andy Reid. However, during the 2013 preseason Kelly opened up the starting quarterback competition and Foles lost out. Everyone wondered if Foles was going to be on his way out since he didn’t seem like a quarterback that fit Kelly’s system. Foles ran a 5.14 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and lacked the speed a normal Kelly-quarterback possessed. Foles was a leader though. Despite not being fleet-footed, Foles showcased his passing ability. In a Week 9 win over the Oakland Raiders, he threw for seven touchdowns. On the season, Foles threw for 27 touchdowns despite not playing in the first month. He also was excellent in protecting the ball, throwing only two interceptions on the season. He finished the regular season with the highest quarterback rating in the NFL among starters and led the Eagles to wins in seven of their last eight games to capture the division.
Foles is back at the helm in 2014 and there is no quarterback competition this preseason. One of the biggest offseason stories was the loss of his biggest weapon in the passing game though. The Eagles released Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson, a wideout who recorded over 1300 yards last season. Kelly and Foles will have to rely on the return of Jeremy Maclin, a speedster coming off a torn ACL that kept him out all of the 2013 season. Riley Cooper also returns after a career season in 2013 and tight end Zach Ertz showcased his talent as a rookie and will see an expanded role in the passing game. Kelly drafted wide receivers in the second and third round, selecting Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff. Matthews is expected to immediately start as the slot receiver and provide Foles a reliable target after a standout career in the SEC.
While Foles may have lost his top wide receiver, he still has the league’s top rushing offense to rely on. The running game was the main reason why Kelly’s offense was successful. The hurry-up offense consistently wore down defenses but it required some exceptional players to make that happen. Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy leads that attack and he was at his best last season, rushing for a league-high in yards (1607) and carries (314). His backup Chris Polk is expected to see action too keeping both backs fresh. In limited time last season, Polk ran for nearly nine yards per carry. Darren Sproles was acquired in the offseason and will be used all over the field to create mismatches. The Eagles offensive line is probably the top unit in the game with multiple Pro Bowlers and should help keep Kelly’s rushing offense at the top.
On defense, the Eagles had their struggles especially early. However, from week 9 on the defense gave up more than 22 points just once. Without the defensive improvements, the Eagles would not have made the postseason. The defense is void of the big names, but they have improved this offseason by acquiring Malcolm Jenkins via free agency. Jenkins is a perfect scheme fit at safety and should help improve a secondary that saw its fair share of struggles. Also, the Eagles Marcus Smith with their first round pick, giving them another pass rusher.
The NFC East is a mess of a division and despite losing their top wide receiver, the Eagles should be the favorites heading into the year. The offensive unit shouldn’t drop off much, if at all, because they have such a strong rushing attack and still possess some good receiving options. If the defense can improve and be more consistent throughout the year, the Eagles should have no problem winning the NFC East and putting to rest the notion that Kelly’s offense is a one-year wonder.
Ron - Lead Editor Fantasy Football Overdose. Follow Fantasy Football Overdose on Twitter @NFLRankings.
The post What can Nick Foles bring to the Eagles this season appeared first on Pro Football Zone.