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Ex-Arizona Wildcats QB Nick Foles set to start for Eagles tonight

Here is a story from the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal, one of our Gannett partners, on former Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles, who will start Thursday night in a preseason game for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Nick Foles passes in the Eagles' first preseason game last week. Photo by Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Foles passes in the Eagles’ first preseason game last week. Photo by Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

By Martin Frank

PHILADELPHIA — There wasn’t much to evaluate about the Eagles’ quarterback competition in the first game.

Michael Vick got just nine snaps and Nick Foles got 12 last Friday against the New England Patriots. They combined for 11 passes, completing nine. They ran very little of the hurry-up offense that Eagles coach Chip Kelly espouses.

All of that should change tonight, when the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers in their second preseason game. Kelly said the two quarterbacks could end up playing through the entire first half, and possibly into the third quarter.

“We want to get that extended as we get into our second preseason game,” Kelly said.

“It just depends how it plays out. If we get a lot of reps in the first quarter, it’s more by the number of snaps. In the ideal world, we’d like to get them into the first and second quarter, and not see those guys at all in the second half.”

Foles will start and Vick will replace him, but each is expected to take their snaps with the first-team offense. The quarterbacks have rotated each day since training camp began July 26.

But this game could be crucial for Vick, Foles and rookie Matt Barkley.

Kelly has said that he could wait as long as the week or so before the season opener on Sept. 9 to name a starting quarterback. Chances are, he’d at least like to have an idea by the third preseason game, on Aug. 24 against Jacksonville, which is typically the dress-rehearsal game for the regular season.

“We just have to go out there and play, try to perform and not worry about what your placement is going to be after this game,” Vick said. “If you do that, then things won’t flow for you. You have to let it come naturally.”

Added Foles: “I’m just trying to block it out and focus on my play when I’m on the field. I’m with my teammates. We’re having a great time pushing each other.”

Besides quarterback, there are many other areas worthy of watching.

Read more of this story at the News Journal…

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