Mike Vick was hoping to be named the starter before camp began.
Mike Vick caused quite a stir when he demanded that Chip Kelly name a starter before training camp. Almost two months later, that wish hasn’t been granted.
Instead, Vick will have to fight for the job against the likes of Nick Foles, rookie Matt Barkley and journeyman Dennis Dixon. The competition should be humbling for Vick, but he hasn’t done much — 33 turnovers over the past two seasons — to inspire confidence. Still, many believe Vick is the best man for the job.
“He’s been there, going on 12 years in the NFL, I think he’ll get the job,” receiver DeSean Jackson said. “Going into camp, I think Michael Vick will probably be the starter, but we still don’t know. I think Chip Kelly’s gonna keep everybody honest and keep everybody open.”
In spring practices, Vick and Foles split the first-team reps almost right down the middle. To the casual observer, it looked like Foles had a very slight edge. But, as Kelly stated, it’s hard to really evaluate when players don’t have pads on. After all, every player in an NFL uniform has athletic ability. Now, at training camp, the real competition begins.
“I have to continue to be a professional and put my feelings and emotions to the side, and just continue to compete,” Vick said. “But it’s hard. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t, but that’s just what I have to deal with, and I’m going to keep dealing with it until I see otherwise.”
And don’t count out Barkley. The coaching staff heaped tons of praise on the kid from USC. Barkley is here to compete.
“You come in knowing that you have a job and they’re trying to take that job as well. It’s competition,” Barkley said. “That’s what competing is all about.”
