The Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2015 season with Sam Bradford as their default starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez penciled in as their number two, and Matt Barkley and Tim Tebow fighting it out in a battle to be the third stringer. It’s unlikely more than three of the four QBs will make the opening day roster, and each has their pros and cons. Here’s a look at how the Eagles gunslinger battle may end up going down.
Sam Bradford is nearly guaranteed to be the opening day starter, barring injury in the preseason. Of course in his case that’s a genuine concern, as the former number one overall draft pick has lost the majority of his young career to one injury or another, to the point that the Rams gave up on him entirely. But the Philadelphia Eagles wouldn’t have traded away Nick Foles just to get him unless they’re seriously interested in making him their starter, as they declined to draft a quarterback. But while Bradford will start the season, what are the odds that he’ll finish it?
Assuming Bradford gets hurt at some point along the line, Mark Sanchez did just enough as a fill-in last season to retain a grip on the number two position unless he ends up regressing in camp or the preseason. The question may be not whether he’ll start any games this season in Philadelphia, but rather how many. That makes the battle between Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley particularly important.
Tebow has proven himself largely inept as an NFL starting quarterback (despite the insistence on the part of his fans that his mostly subpar performances and jarringly inaccurate passes have somehow been phenomenal). His value is as a niche player who an enter the game with scripted plays and catch the other team off guard. But it’s difficult to use a number three quarterback in that role because only two quarterbacks are typically kept active on game day. Tebow won’t wrest the #2 job from Sanchez, meaning that his value as a game-day inactive is nil.
The Eagles say they’re not interested in using Tebow at another position, calling into question what he’s doing on the roster to begin with. But with Barkley clearly behind Sanchez on the depth chart to begin with, is it possible that the team will pull a surprise and keep him around as the inactive QB after all, planning to put him to use as the #2 after Sam Bradford is inevitably injured and Sanchez becomes the #1? But that calls into question why a team has a starting quarterback whom they’re expecting to get injured. But like most four ring circuses, the Philadelphia Eagles QB situation may simply take more time before making any sense to anyone watching it play out.
Jake Robison
Latest posts by Jake Robison (see all)
- LeBron James - Stephen Curry: NBA Finals 2015 showdown begins - June 8, 2015
- Philadelphia Eagles QB: Sam Bradford v. Mark Sanchez v. Tim Tebow - June 5, 2015
- How the Dallas Cowboys win Super Bowl without Adrian Peterson - June 5, 2015
Tebow underrated.
Red zone insurance and two point conversions.
Possibly strongest NFL QB
Currently.
He is money in bank in short yardage situations, rainy, inclement weather ball control.
Added dimension to tire d
And secure win.
Works hard no drugs , no domestic violence, is dirt cheap, has more rushing touchdowns by QB In one year than Brady in 15.This guy is worth giving a chance.
He’s good for the integrity of game.