If Michael Vick is nervous about losing his starting job, he sure is not showing it. As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles look all but certain to be drafting a quarterback with their first pick. However, as the team opens for voluntary workouts, Vick is not concerned about his starting job being in jeopardy. As the team starts a new era under first-year head coach Chip Kelly, Vick says the Eagles are his team and starting job is his.
"This is still my team, still my job. That's the mindset you have to have. I believe in myself and my abilities and I believe in the guys on this football team. I'm just excited I'm back in Philadelphia for another year and we have an opportunity to do some great things," Vick said.
Vick will be entering his fifth season as the starting quarterback. At 33, he is the oldest player on the team. He has missed 11 games over the past three years due to multiple injuries and is starting to show his age in his production. After leading the Eagles to a 4-12 record in 2012, Vick was forced to restructure his contract in order to remain with the team. Now, he is sharing first-team reps with Nick Foles and Dennis Dixon with his starting job in jeopardy.
"This offense is very dynamic. It's up-tempo, fast-paced. It's something I've never seen before. I'm very excited about what we're doing. It's very refreshing," Vick said.
Vick seems like he would be the perfect quarterback to play in Kelly's high octane offense. Vick excels at the read-option and is mobile enough to work well in Kelly's fast-paced style of play. Despite Vick looking like a stereotypical Kelly quarterback, the team is still assumed to be selecting a quarterback in the first-round.
The Eagles have the No.4 pick and will either select Geno Smith or E.J. Manuel depending on who is available. The Eagles want to create quarterback competition and either player would work well in Kelly's system. Vick is not getting any younger and the Eagles will be looking to replace him sooner rather than later. While Foles and Dixon might be considered options, they are not predicted to be the future of the franchise. While Vick says this is his team and job, it might not be for longer.