Philadelphia Eagles to Start Rookie QB Nick Foles This Sunday

November 11, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) passes the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-23. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

With Mike Vick now out with an injury, presumably for quite some time, rookie Nick Foles will make his debut start this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. This is yet another rookie QB showdown in the 2012 season, with Robert Griffin III also needing some kind of breakout game to get his team back on track.

The Philadelphia Eagles are in a mess, and not only that, they are in must-win mode. If the fans think Nick Foles is going to be the savior for them, I think they are in for a world of surprise. The Eagles are struggling with simple concepts offensively, primarily blocking the men who are lined up against them. A rookie quarterback plus a shaky line could equal disaster for Philadelphia, even though the Redskins are going to be without Ryan Kerrigan or Brian Orakpo.

Head coach Andy Reid has confidence in his young quarterback:

“I’ve got confidence that Nick will do a nice job, if given that opportunity,” Reid said Monday. “Listen, I get excited for every game, but if the kid has an opportunity to start, I’m excited to see him play.”

Foles will be the sixth rookie quarterback to start this season, and perhaps none in a more critical situation. Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson each have their teams well within the playoff hunt, while other rookie quarterbacks like RG3, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Weeden are looking to get their crews on track.

The third round pick out of Arizona is stepping into a very tough situation with Andy Reid on the brink of losing his job, and many other players and coaches trying to make sure they will have Philly as their place of employment for the foreseeable future. If the Eagles are unable to make the playoffs, even with Foles at the helm, there may be wholesale changes made. This is a guy who is going to be a drastic change from what the team and fans are used to with Mike Vick under center. With Vick, the Eagles have a guy who can run with the ball, make plays with his legs. Foles is not a good athlete compared to Vick, and he’ll have a tough time escaping a lot of that pressure. He’s going to have to make quick decisions, and those decisions need to get Philly into the win column.