Reunited and It “Foles” So Good
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Everyone has heard the Cinderella story centered around the underdogs that were the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles. Two men, backup quarterback Nick Foles and then-offensive coordinator Frank Reich, led the playoff charge once MVP candidate Carson Wentz went down with a torn ACL. They rode their chemistry all the way to a Super Bowl title. While Doug Pederson deserves credit where it is due, it was the genius of Reich and Foles that orchestrated it all. Soon after, Reich left for Indianapolis and Foles bounced around from Jacksonville to Chicago, failing to land a secure starting job. Now, the dynamic duo is back in business with the Colts. No, they are not gearing up for a second title in Philly, but they are looking to build a true contender in Indianapolis.
Once again, Foles finds himself as backup, this time to Falcons legend and former NFL MVP Matt Ryan. The competition is steeper this time around for Foles, as Ryan has 14 seasons under his belt and has started all but three games since being drafted in 2007. Foles may never get the chance to start this upcoming season, that much has to be acknowledged. The intriguing part is that Foles will push Ryan in camp and potentially spark a competition that could result in some playing time if Ryan struggles. The likelihood of that happening is very small, but if football fans learned anything from Philadelphia and the power of “Saint Nick,” it is known that you can never count him out. Another interesting twist is that Foles is not an average backup quarterback and has earned his Super Bowl ring, something Ryan is still searching for.
Most importantly, the aforementioned chemistry between Foles and Reich cannot be understated. Reich has a head coaching job because of his brilliant command of that Philadelphia offense. As a former quarterback himself, he and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo elevated both Wentz and Foles and put them in prime situations to succeed. When coaches and quarterbacks are on the same page, that usually translates well and puts a better product on the field. Sure, there are detractors to the Foles - Reich reunion and they will say that the year Wentz and Reich worked together in Indianapolis was a failure despite their history in Philadelphia. Yet, it was not a lack of communication that led to the Colts’ failure last season. Carson Wentz was put into a winning situation, but he simply did not execute. Foles finished what Wentz could not in Philadelphia, so there is a reason to be excited with this second Philly reunion.
Can The Colts compete?
With Philly and Indy being so closely linked over the years due to the swapping of players and picks, the possibilities are endless for the duo. On the offensive side, Foles and Ryan will push each other in camp, running back Jonathan Taylor will continue to rush his way into the record books, and Michael Pittman should build off his 1,000-yard season and prove he is a true number one receiver. Defensively, the team is loaded with playmakers and pro bowlers like Darius Leonard, Yannick Ngakoue, Stephon Gilmore, and former Eagles Super Bowl safety Rodney McLeod. There is no reason why Foles cannot fit into this system smoothly. His veteran presence steadied Philadelphia in turbulent times and it will do the same in Indianapolis. Look for this reunion and retooling of the Colts to be the source of true horsepower in the NFL for the 2022 season.