Eagles Draft at a Glance: Backing up Vick at QB

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Friday, April 22, 2011
Posted: 5:40 p.m.

By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com
Eighth in a series of 10 stories previewing the Eagles needs going into the 2011 NFL draft. Today: Quarterbacks. Sunday: Specialists.

Unless Andy Reid sees something in Mike Kafka that nobody else has seen yet, were pretty sure Michael Vicks backup in 2011 will be a veteran that the Eagles can sign whenor iffree agency finally starts.

Were thinking a guy like Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbecks days in Seattle are likely over, and his days as a No. 1 quarterback may be over as well. But a smart, experienced quarterback whos played in a Super Bowl and understands the West Coast offense as well as anybody would be the perfect fit as the Eagles backup.

And dont forget, Hasselbecks quarterbacks coach his rookie year with the Packers back in 1998 was none other than Reid.

Hasselbeck hasnt thrown more TDs than INTs since 2007. Hes 12-23 over the last three years with 44 interceptions and 34 touchdowns (although he did have a great day in a 2010 playoff win over the Saints).

But the Seahawks the past few years have not placed much talent around Hasselbeck, and having skill guys like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin can have a way of rejuvenating a quarterbacks career.

Its hard to imagine Vick playing 16 games. Hes only done that once in his career. He missed four games with injuries last year, and assuming the Eagles ship Kevin Kolb, theyre going to need a backup who can come in and win a few games.

Kafka? Maybe one day. But not yet.

Hasselbeck isnt going to carry a team these days. His Pro Bowl days are long gone. But we cant think of a better guy to come in and win a game here and there when Vick invariably gets banged up.

Once free agency does finally roll around, Hasselbeck will no doubt try to find a starting job somewhere. But hell be 35 soon after opening day, and hes three seasons removed from his last Pro Bowl season. We dont think therell be a starting job available for Hasselbeck, but if youre looking for a guy to get you through a game or two, hed be a perfect fit.

Whos already on the roster:
Mike Kafka, Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick

Who has to stay:
Vick.

Who has to go:
Kolb has to go, only because his value will never be higher. The opportunity to get a first-round pick for a guy whos won a grand total of three NFL games and has more career interceptions than touchdowns is too much to pass up. Even for 2012 draft picks.

How bout this guy?
If the Eagles do draft a quarterback, it will be very late, and Fresno States Ryan Colburn would seem to be the kind of guy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg would love to work with. He doesnt have much of an arm, but hes very smart, he ran one of the most explosive offenses in the NCAA last year at Fresno, and he was productive and efficient once he won the starting quarterback spot as a junior.

Colburn is a fringe draft prospect, so why not use one of three seventh-round picks on a guy whos an NFL longshot but conceivably could become an effective West Coast quarterback?

Colburn probably wont ever become an NFL quarterback, but if anybody could take a smart and productive but weak-armed quarterback and transform him into a capable backup, its Reid and Mornhinweg.

Did you know?
Since 1999, some 110 quarterbacks have been drafted after the second round, but only six of them have been picked to a Pro BowlTom Brady (sixth round in 2000), Marc Bulger (sixth round in 2000), Derek Anderson (sixth round in 2005), Matt Cassel (seventh round in 2005), Matt Schaub (third round in 2004) and David Garrard (fourth round in 2002).

Andy Reid quarterback history:
Donovan McNabb (first round, 1999), A.J. Feeley (fifth round, 2001), Andy Hall (sixth round, 2004), Kevin Kolb (second round, 2007), Mike Kafka (fourth round, 2010).

Reid's best pick:
McNabb with the second pick in 1999.

Reid's worst pick:
Andy Hall with the 185th pick in 2004.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

Related: Eagles' draft plans: Q&A with GM Howie RosemanBuy Eagles Gear

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