Kelly: We Expected Foles To Bounce Back

When asked during the week about Nick Foles’ confidence, Chip Kelly said he didn’t think it was an issue, but admitted it was tough to gauge because of the difference between practices and games.

After Foles’ 7-TD performance in Oakland, Kelly praised the second-year quarterback for his preparation and the way he rebounded.

“That’s what I think we all expected, the guys that are around him every day,” Kelly said. “So maybe he showed some other people, but I think what happened in the Dallas game was really kind of the exception and not the rule for him. And I think he’s a guy that really spends a lot of time preparing and it shows. And today was a prime example of it.

“We haven’t had a whole body of work. He started the Tampa game. He’s started three games since I’ve been here. Two of the games he played really well in. And one of the games he didn’t play so well in.”

Foles threw his seventh touchdown with 4:34 left in the third quarter. He got two more chances to break the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game, but the Eagles ended up with a pair of three-and-outs.

Kelly was aware of the record, but didn’t want to risk Foles’ health to go for No. 8.

“There’s a sign in our office. I walk by it every time,” Kelly said. “Adrian Burk did it at Griffith Stadium, so I know what the record is. But this isn’t about records. It’s about going out and getting a win. And if I put Nick out there, trying to get a record and he gets hurt, that’s being silly. I also think records are meant to be broken when they’re supposed to be broken. So I think if you ask Nick, it’s the same thing. It’s a hell of a thing to do. There’s not many people in the history of the game that did what he can do, but we were trying to win the football game, make sure we got out of there healthy.”

Foles did a great job all game long of buying time with his feet and keeping his eyes downfield. Most of those were improvised plays, not designed calls.

“I thought he did a really nice job of executing what we do,” Kelly said. “I think he’s a good athlete. He’s not a blazer. We all understand that. But I think he really moves around and keeps things alive, and that’s what he did today.”

As for the future, Kelly wouldn’t provide much of an update on the Eagles’ QB situation. Given that Michael Vick (hamstring) didn’t even dress Sunday and taking Foles’ performance into account, the decision for next week’s game would seem like a no-brainer.

“I had it at 10 questions,” Kelly joked, when asked if Foles is now the unquestioned starter. “I didn’t know if it was gonna be 10 or 11. It’s gonna be based on health. We’ll talk about it once I figure out [everyone’s health].”

INJURY UPDATE

Jason Peters left the game in the second half, but Kelly said the left tackle could have gone back in and added that the injury is not believed to be serious.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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