Coming off the first regular season game action of his career, second-year quarterback Mike Kafka's status for the upcoming grudge match against the New York Giants is in limbo. But that won't change the preparation for a player whom Marty Mornhinweg once said has the best grasp of the offense for a young quarterback that he's ever seen.
After watching from the bench for his entire rookie season, Kafka got his first chance on the field last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons and was impressive. Kafka was essentially perfect in his execution, as he completed his first seven passes for a combined 72 yards before a fourth-down drop from Jeremy Maclin and an incomplete hail mary ended the Eagles' bid for a last-second win. Kafka, though, said he wasn't overwhelmed by his first game action, nor will his approach change this week as the team awaits the progress of Michael Vick.
"Since I got here, you have to prepare the same way and it's been that way since day one," Kafka told reporters Wednesday. "Prepare as if you're the starter and take it from there.
"I have a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities. Coach Reid puts a lot on the quarterback and puts a lot on the offense, but ... I know we haven't made a decision on who's going to be the quarterback yet, so we're all working to get better. We're all working to get better at these little things that we have to hone in on."
With Vick working to pass all concussion tests, head coach Andy Reid said that Kafka and Vince Young would split the first-team reps if Vick is unable to practice Wednesday afternoon. Young missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring strain, but Reid said he's close to 100 percent now.
"We're pretty fortunate to have three guys that we feel comfortable that can play in the game," Reid said. "My message to all of them was get ready accordingly and then as we go through this process and see what takes place, it'll clear itself out and we'll play the game."
Earlier in the week, Reid lamented his play-calling against the Falcons when Kafka was inserted into the game.
"I have a young quarterback in Mike Kafka that I was way, way too conservative with, I think that sent a message to our football team, and not a positive message," he said. "For those first couple series that he was in, I did something that I normally don't do, in particular because I do have trust in Michael and how good he is, and by sitting on the ball I think that sends a message to everybody, and it's not a positive message. So I'm kicking myself in the tail for that right now."
Kafka told reporters that Reid's comments did provide him with some extra confidence, but he remained on message when it came to his expectations for Sunday.
"Coach Reid has a plan and a role for everybody, so whatever role that is for me, I'm going to do it as best I can," Kafka said. The Giants "are an aggressive defense so we have to be able to match that. Like I said, as long as we execute offensively and do what we do on offense and take care of our jobs and responsibilities, we'll be alright."
