Donovan McNabb: Nick Foles is not a franchise QB
Donovan McNabb hates giving current NFL quarterbacks credit for anything they do. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who is a double whammy for McNabb in that he is an NFL quarterback who plays for Donovan’s old team, is the latest target of the Fox Sports 1 analyst’s criticism.
Despite the fact that Foles threw 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions in his first full season as a starter last year, McNabb does not believe he has what it takes to be the Eagles’ cornerstone. During an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic’s Harry Mayes and Brian Baldinger on Tuesday, McNabb was asked if he believes Foles can be a franchise quarterback.
“I can’t answer that but if I had to give a take, I would say no,” he said, as transcribed by NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. “I think what he will do, he won’t do what he did last year, that just won’t happen. I see him being maybe a 25 touchdown, 8-10 interception guy. They’re trying to have in the mind of Nick Foles, you don’t have to take chances all the time.
“There’s nothing wrong with checking down to the tight end, to your running back. It’s not the kind of offense that we’re going to score on the first play of the drive and get off the field. The big thing is, don’t worry about what you did last year. Things are going to change. Defenses are going adjust to you.”
[Related: Donovan McNabb thinks Jay Cutler is ‘lucky’ to have gotten big contract]
Foles had to have done something right to throw just two interceptions in 13 starts last season. You can’t get that lucky, can you? While we’re not saying the former Arizona star is the next Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers, he is only 25. McNabb seems to be writing off the franchise QB thing a bit early.
“Foles isn’t known for his ability to get out of the pocket,” McNabb added. “I told him on my radio show, I said to him, ‘Does anyone tell you you have the speed of a turtle?’ But with his size he does a great job moving in the pocket and getting the ball out, getting it to his guys quickly.”
Kelly’s offense involves a lot of quick passes and delivering the ball in a short amount of time. Foles seems to handle that well. Will he duplicate last year’s numbers in 2014? Probably not, but I’d like to see another season before passing judgment on whether he is the Eagles’ quarterback of the distant future.
