Turnovers and twin sons of different mothers - Nick Foles & Donavan McNabb

[CHIP72]

Nick Foles' lack of interceptions this season (a remarkably low 2 picks in 317 pass attempts) was a significant factor in the Eagles' turnaround from 4-12 in 2012 to 10-6 in 2013. His low interception rate brings to mind another fairly recent Eagles quarterback who in his own way had some doubters (due to fairly frequent low passes and a tendency at times to hold the ball too long) but excelled at avoiding turnovers - Donavan McNabb. Foles and McNabb are not much alike in playing style and background - McNabb, particularly when he was young, was an elusive runner, while Foles definitely is not; Foles is tall for the position while McNabb was of average height; McNabb is black while Foles is white - but they are similar in their ability and desire to avoid turnovers at all costs in most situations. Not coincidentally, the Eagles often excelled as a team despite McNabb's occasional shortcomings as a passer because he didn't turn the ball over, not unlike Foles in 2013 (though Foles was probably more effective as a passer than McNabb was in any season of McNabb's career except 2004).

Both Donavan McNabb for much of his career and Nick Foles in 2013 showed the value of limiting offensive turnovers in helping the Eagles win. If Foles can continue to limit his turnovers during his time as the Eagles' starting quarterback, the Eagles should be in good shape, not unlike the good shape the Eagles were usually in when McNabb was under center for the Eagles.

[FRESH]

yes but......cab Foles nail an earthworm?

[FairOaks]

yes but......cab Foles nail an earthworm?

He probably only has the arm strength to maim, not kill

[Jukin]

Bigger issue is their accuracy differences. McNabb had a grenade launcher instead of an arm. Not only in the velocity he threw but also in the "get it close" concept. Foles has a sniper rifle. Not nearly as lethal but far more accurate. Not sure which combo is better in a QB. When the Eagles actually gave McNabb receivers who could get a ball thrown near them even if somewhat off target, McNabb was among the best QBs in the league. Foles isn't going to break hands with his velocity but he can put on a players hands in traffic. I'm hoping Foles can take us to the title in this system. McNabb excelled when he had playmakers on the team. Let's hope Foles is given that chance too.

[Eagle60]

Bigger issue is their accuracy differences. McNabb had a grenade launcher instead of an arm. Not only in the velocity he threw but also in the "get it close" concept. Foles has a sniper rifle. Not nearly as lethal but far more accurate. Not sure which combo is better in a QB. When the Eagles actually gave McNabb receivers who could get a ball thrown near them even if somewhat off target, McNabb was among the best QBs in the league. Foles isn't going to break hands with his velocity but he can put on a players hands in traffic. I'm hoping Foles can take us to the title in this system. McNabb excelled when he had playmakers on the team. Let's hope Foles is given that chance too.

5 carried the offense for years with both his arm and legs. Great long passer! Those Houdini acts were something to behold. Nick needs to be accurate and he is. Stay hot Nick!

[CHIP72]

One thing that was notable when comparing Nick Foles and Michael Vick this season is that Foles completed 10% more of his passes than Vick did (without looking it up I think it was 64% vs. 54%). Considering they played with the same surrounding cast, that's pretty significant.

[CHIP72]

Bigger issue is their accuracy differences. McNabb had a grenade launcher instead of an arm. Not only in the velocity he threw but also in the "get it close" concept. Foles has a sniper rifle. Not nearly as lethal but far more accurate. Not sure which combo is better in a QB. When the Eagles actually gave McNabb receivers who could get a ball thrown near them even if somewhat off target, McNabb was among the best QBs in the league. Foles isn't going to break hands with his velocity but he can put on a players hands in traffic. I'm hoping Foles can take us to the title in this system. McNabb excelled when he had playmakers on the team. Let's hope Foles is given that chance too.

When I read the Foles description above, I think of guys like Joe Montana and Tom Brady (as well as lesser but still very good quarterbacks like the ex-Bengal Ken Anderson). IMO accuracy is more important than arm strength, especially on short and intermediate length passes.

[Eagle60]

When I read the Foles description above, I think of guys like Joe Montana and Tom Brady (as well as lesser but still very good quarterbacks like the ex-Bengal Ken Anderson). IMO accuracy is more important than arm strength, especially on short and intermediate length passes.

On another note, I really believe Anderson was as good as just about anyone who has ever played. Put him on those SF or Pitt teams and he'd be a HOFer.

[FairOaks]

One thing that was notable when comparing Nick Foles and Michael Vick this season is that Foles completed 10% more of his passes than Vick did (without looking it up I think it was 64% vs. 54%). Considering they played with the same surrounding cast, that's pretty significant.

Yeah. Vick only played four games really, and when the other were still learning the offense too, so it's not a great sample size, but these days 54% is a really bad rate (seems like not so long ago, you needed 50% to be respectable, now it's 60%). The Jets had a 55.42% rate on the year as a team... which was worst in the NFL. 2010 was the only year Vick was over 60% (he was 58 and 59 or so the last two years). Eagles this year were overall 14th in the league, at 61 percent. Foles was at 64%, an Eagles record, but was still just 8th overall in the league. Vick makes up a lot of that difference with his legs, but that is going to be the skill which goes first.