No concerns. Not a single one. Never have had any when it has come to Nick Foles.
Seriously.
As most of the nation seems to wonder what the deal is with this guy manning the Eagles’ controls this coming Sunday against Tom Brady and the Patriots, and the majority of Philly supporters mind-eff themselves as to ways he can’t eff things up in the Super Bowl, yours truly just sits, soaks it all in and chuckles.
It is funny when discussions turn to this backup turned starter turned afterthought turned mop-up man turned near retiree turned backup turned emergency salvation. Whether you listen to the experts, legit or otherwise, or even Joe Blow down the street, it’s typically the same – they’re stunned that Foles happens to be in the situation he is.
Really?
Is it that hard to believe that a guy who was a third-round draft choice, a star at a major college, a record-setter in high school, a Division I recruit in both football and basketball, and holder of the third-highest passer rating in an NFL season could be where he is?
People, c’mon. Open your eyes and stop listening to dolts who get so caught up in his mannerisms and way of speaking that they can’t even recognize his obvious talent, or production, never mind owning up to it – without first putting down some condescending disclaimers.
You’d think the NFC title game was the first time Foles ever showed up big in a big game.
Frankly, if you go through the young man’s grid career, you’d be hard-pressed to find any pressure-cooker that he didn’t perform at a high level.
Yet, the thinking goes that things will be OK for the Birds … if Foles doesn’t blow it. That he’s gotta lay low in this one. Just keep it simple. Play it cool. Let the defense win it. You know, give it the ol’ game-manage effort.
Hilarious.
The feeling here is, if the Eagles’ win, it’s going to be because of Foles, not in spite of him. He is going to have to play big. Just as he has in the past in big games.
Take a look at how No. 9 has performed in the nine biggest games of his life:
- Dec. 24, 2006, Texas State Class 5A Division 1 Championship, vs. the No. 1-ranked team in the country, Southlake Carroll: 24 of 43 passes for 299 yards and 2 TDs with no picks.
- Jan. 21, 2018, NFC Championship Game, vs. Minnesota: 26 of 33 for 352 yards, 3 TDs and no picks.
- Nov. 26, 2010, Regular Season, vs. No. 1 Oregon: 29 of 54 for 448 yards, 3 TDs and 1 pick.
- Jan. 13, 2018, NFC Divisional Round playoff vs. Atlanta: 23 of 30 for 246 yards.
- Jan. 4, 2014, NFC First-Round playoff, vs. New Orleans: 23 of 33 for 195 yards, 2 TDs and no picks.
- Sept. 17, 2011, Regular Season, vs. No. 6 Stanford: 24 of 33, 239 yards, 1 TD and no picks.
- Sept. 8, 2011, Regular Season, vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State: 37 of 51 for 398 yards, 1 TD and no picks.
- Sept. 18, 2010, Regular Season, vs. No. 9 Iowa: 28 of 39 for 303 yards, 2 TDs and 1 pick.
- Sept. 24, 2011, Regular Season, vs. No. 10 Oregon: 34 of 57 for 398 yards, 3 TDs and no picks.
Point being, when the pressure is on and things really matter, Foles has come to play.
Now, if he bombs Sunday, so be it. But to worry about that now, leading up to the game, is silly. The evidence, accumulated over the past 12 years, says you have no reason.