For Philadelphia Eagles, it is hard to pass on Nick Foles

Eagles coach Chip Kelly is happy with how quarterback has operated up-tempo offence, writes Mike Tierney.

Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles, right, has taken care of the ball for the Eagles this year. Michael Perez / AP Photo

In late August, the new Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly summoned Michael Vick into his office with some uplifting news: You are my starting quarterback.

The choice made sense. Vick, with his reservoir of experience and sprinter’s speed, seemed suited to operate Kelly’s giddy-up offence.

A hamstring injury relegated Vick to the bench. As his replacement, Kelly tapped second-year player Nick Foles, and a simpler version of Kelly’s avant-garde approach appeared inevitable.

But, claiming that he was drawing from the same playbook, Kelly sent out Foles for an emphatic win over Tampa Bay.

It was not long before the QBs swapped places again. Foles was dreadful in a 17-3 defeat to Dallas, and a concussion gave Kelly reason to demote him.

He eschewed it. The revolving door swung again two weeks later, and it has since become immovable. The Eagles have gone 6-1 in Foles’s second phase as starter.

“He’s a very quick study,” Kelly said. “You have to be able to learn from your mistakes. You have to make mistakes in order to continue to grow and to continue to get outside your comfort level.”

Mistakes? Where? When?

The NFL Most Valuable Player Award already has been tagged with Peyton Manning’s address after an otherworldly season. But his passer rating is nearly six points below that of Foles. His most admirable statistics cry out like a typographical error: 25 touchdown throws, two interceptions.

Naturally, he focuses on the latter number, minuscule as it is.

“It’s frustrating to not throw a perfect pass every time,” Foles said. “That’s one of the things I’m going to continue to work on.”

His work in the locker room has been equally impressive. His befriending of Vick doused any chance of the team splitting into factions. The two share notes at team meetings and consult during games. At a joint news conference, Foles even said, “I love Mike.” Vick said he felt no ill will toward Foles.

Seeking to end debate, Kelly exaggeratedly declared Foles as his quarterback “for the next thousand years.” Not even Manning’s coach could make such a guarantee, but the point is clear.

Then again, a loss on Sunday could slow down the Foles train. To stake out a play-offs berth, the Eagles must beat Dallas, the only opponent that checkmated the young quarterback.

“We grew from that game,” said Foles, whose passer rating lead over Manning would be insurmountable, if not for the 11-for-29 day against the Cowboys that squeezed out 80 yards.

“Tough games like that, it hurts. … But you grow together as a team. That’s the beauty of it.”