Eagles: Nick Foles named starting QB for rest of season

QB Nick Foles will start the rest of the Eagles game after a strong performance against the Cowboys. (US Presswire)

At first, the focus of coach Andy Reid's weekly press conference was on his decision to fire defensive line coach Jim Washburn. But that changed quickly when Reid unexpectedly announced that he was making another change -- rookie Nick Foles will be the Eagles' starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

Reid had said previously that Michael Vick would once again be the starter as soon as he recovered from the concussion that has sidelined him for the last three games, and as recently as Friday Reid told reporters “Listen, Michael is the quarterback of this team. That's how I've approached it from the get-go. I've told you guys that. Until I tell you guys differently, that's how I feel.''

Three days later, Reid told us differently when, without preamble, he said that “Nick Foles will be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.''

Reid went on to say that Vick is “on the fast track'' in his recovery, but he doesn't know when Vick will be able to practice and the QB's health is his No. 1 priority.

“And, No. 2, it's also important to give young players the opportunity to play here the next four games as a starter,'' Reid said. “Every week, [Foles] has been the replacement guy. Now he's the starter and we'll see how does with that on his plate, see how he handles it. I don't expect much to change there with him.”

One thing has changed -- Foles played much better on Sunday night against the Cowboys than he did in his two previous starts and he finished the game with a career-best quarterback rating of 98.0. Now the Eagles will see if he continues to improve.

“I think, where we're at with the season, it gives this kid an opportunity to play and finish it up,” Reid said. “He's playing well enough that I think he can win football games for us. Where we sit at this position in the season, it's the right thing to do.”

As for Vick, Reid said he spoke with him on Monday morning to inform him of the change on the depth chart.

“He was very positive about it,'' Reid said. “He completely understood. He was on board with it.”

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow@CBSEagles.