Michael Vick is no stranger to quarterback competition. As the veteran is set to enter into the Philadelphia Eagles training camp fighting for his job as starter, Vick says he thrives under this sort of setting. While splitting his career between the Atlanta Falcons and Eagles, Vick says he has always been fighting for job and loves it.
"I lovee the competition," Vick said to CSNPhilly.com. "I embrace the competition. I really do. It makes all of us better quarterbacks. It makes all of us better football players. It definitely pushes me."
Vick is no stranger to having talent sitting right behind him, battling for his spot on the roster. While with the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Schaub was the up and coming backup quarterback that stepped in for Vick multiple times. While in Philly, Vince Young saw action while playing backup to the veteran. With Nick Foles now in that same position, Vick says the situation is similar to ones he has been in in the past.
"I've always had good quarterback behind me, pushing me. I had Schaub and even Doug Johnson in Atlanta, I had Kevin [Kolb] when I got here and Vince Young, he was a really good quarterback, too. It's definitely good for me. It keep you on your toes. You can't let up, because if you do somebody is going to pass you by," Vick said.
Heading into training camp, Foles is Vick's main threat. Head coach Chip Kelly has no interest in naming a starting quarterback anytime soon, instead letting the two split equal reps with the first-team offense to see who emerges as the better player.
Vick is assumed to be the best quarterback for Kelly's offensive system. The coach will likely run a read-option style offense in which Vick would excel with his mobility and presence outside the pocket. Quarterbacks like Foles and rookie Matt Barkley are more traditional style players.
Kelly is remaining completely mum on who is ahead and who is behind in the quarterback competition. If he runs things similar to Oregon, a starter might not be named until a week before the season begins. Vick has expressed his desire for a starter to be named sooner rather than later, but Kelly is in charge and that is not how he runs.
