While the Philadelphia Eagles’ assistant coach search trudges into what should be the home stretch — and will likely come to an end shortly after Super Bowl Sunday — the biggest question now facing new head coach Chip Kelly and the Birds is, who will line up under center when the season begins?
As you read this article, you have as much of a chance as Michael Vick does at taking snaps for the Eagles this season. You can kiss the quarterback goodbye in March when Philadelphia must pick up his guaranteed $15.5 million salary for the 2013 season… after a turnover ridden 50-touchdown and 30-interception tenure with the team. Then, there’s backup Nick Foles — who didn’t exactly acquit himself as the starting quarterback of the future during his five starts last season.
This uncertainly lends itself to the likelihood that whatever quarterback is currently the starter on the Eagles’ roster will not remain so.
One name to keep a keen eye on for the position is San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback Alex Smith, who will not return to the “City by the Bay” next season.
Smith, of course, was replaced mid-season by Colin Kaepernick, in whom head coach Jim Harbaugh saw immense potential and so drafted in 2011. By and large, the second-year quarterback has lived up to the hype, orchestrating a Super Bowl run since taking over the starting job. However, it isn’t as if Smith wasn’t producing at the time of his demotion. He was only one year removed from an NFC Championship appearance himself when he sustained a concussion and was replaced by Kaepernick.
Smith, a former first-round draft pick, finished this season with a 70.4 completion percentage, and a 6-2-1 record in his nine starts.
While appearing in his first Super Bowl, it has been a very bittersweet week in New Orleans for him.
“It’s the Super Bowl, so it kind of demands the respect,” Smith said this past Wednesday. “It demands your attention and focus. . . . But, obviously, I’ve been asked about [my future] a lot, a lot of questions.”
What makes the former Ute appetizing for Kelly and the Eagles goes beyond his NFL draft pedigree and solid numbers this season. Smith is already familiar with the type of schemes Kelly is likely to implement in his first season as head coach after running the spread option offense during his time at Utah.
“I’m certainly not opposed to it,” Smith said of playing in the spread. “We’ve done it here. [Offensive coordinator Greg] Roman has done a great job implementing that stuff and even more now with Colin in. It’s really dynamic stuff, really hard to defend.”
Undoubtedly, Kelly will preach speed on this offense which, at face value, isn’t one of Smith’s strongest qualities. However, with the likes of running back LeSean McCoy; and receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin anchoring the skill positions in Philadelphia, the QB would likely be tasked with simply executing the offense and not making mistakes.
It is anticipated that up to ten teams could be in the mix for Smith’s services. The Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns have already expressed interest in the seven-year veteran. The Eagles though, have shown this off-season that, when necessary, they can be aggressive in landing their top target — as illustrated in the Kelly hire. And there may not be a better option available at quarterback than Smith.
Even if Philadelphia chooses to select one of the college quarterbacks available in the draft such as Geno Smith (West Virginia) or E.J Manuel (Florida State), neither have shown the skill-set necessary so far to make the immediate jump from college quarterback to NFL starter in year one. Smith, however, could give the Eagles the best chance to win now… all the while grooming a potential quarterback of the future.
The Eagles have until March 11 to make a decision on Vick. But they would be wise to pull the trigger on Alex Smith much sooner than that.
Matt Lombardo is the Lead Writer and Eagles Beat Reporter for Taking It To The House. To Contact or interview Matt, email him at mdlombardo@yahoo.com . Follow Matt on Twitter @MattLombardo975