Matt Barkley on being a back-up: “That’s not a plan”
By Mike Dyce
The Philadelphia Eagles open quarterback competition is really a two man race between Michael Vick and Nick Foles. Matt Barkley is an after thought and presumably will back up whoever wins, the loser between Vick and Foles could be cut. The rookie isn’t content accepting that role and is playing for the starting position.
“That’s not a plan to be a backup,” Barkley told Angelo Cataldi of 94WIP early Wednesday. “I don’t think that ever should be your goal. Sometimes it may work out that way, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to have that goal to be on the field.”
Last year the Seattle Seahawks had a quarterback competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Flynn before rookie Russell Wilson stole the show. Barkley could do the same, but Vick and Foles are arguably better than that Seattle duo. Barkley understands that he is behind and he is needing to learn on the fly.
“I’m still on the learning curve, to where I kind of have more questions than answers with the offense,” Barkley said. “But I think at the end of camp, no doubt, it will be the opposite to where I can provide those answers and provide options for change if necessary.”