When it comes to playing quarterback in the NFL, it's important not to get too high after a win or too low after a loss. Rookie Nick Foles, who will start his third consecutive game at quarterback for the Eagles this Sunday, has learned that lesson well.
Foles won the Eagles' backup quarterback job after a stellar preseason. When starting quarterback Michael Vick went down with a concussion in Week 10, Foles stepped in. He has shown flashes, but has also struggled with consistency. Foles will look to correct mistakes and play a complete game in Dallas on Sunday night.
"It's a day-to-day thing," Foles said after practice Friday. "I just have to keep working. There are going to be highs, there are going to be lows, and I just have to get to a steady thing where I'm solid all around. It's a never-ending process. You always have to be working."
The Austin, Tx. Native will be returning to his home state Sunday to take on the Dallas team he faced in his first regular season action. Foles has the benefit of seeing the Cowboys again, but Foles' arsenal will not be as well stocked.
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was placed on Injured Reserve this week with fractured ribs. And with running back LeSean McCoy still recovering from his concussion, the Eagles will be without two of their top weapons. But Foles isn't worried. He knows it's more about the team coming together than individual players being on the field.
"We have a great group of guys who have been working all week," Foles said. "I have all the confidence in the world in them. They're working their butts off. They're excited to play. And the most important thing is for us to play as a unit, play together, and no matter what happens through the course of the game stay focused, stay together as a unit and help each other out. The most successful offenses work together and stick together throughout the tough times."
In Foles' mind, there are no excuses for a poor performance, whether it's against Cleveland in the preseason or at Dallas on Sunday night. He's focused on improving each day in the film room and on the practice field.
"I have to play at the highest level possible," he said. "There are things in the preseason I didn't think I did well. I was working every day. And even if people thought I played well I didn't think so. I'm looking at it critically and I'm going to try to get better in every aspect. It's a day-to-day thing. You can't get too high or too low. You just have to stay steady."
Staying steady includes blocking out the noise from any naysayers. Foles said he doesn't read the paper and instead stays within his close circle of family and friends. Regardless of what others outside the NovaCare Complex say, Foles is eager to head to Dallas and put together a great game.
"I really zone all that out," he said. "I'm focused right now. I'm playing in this game; I'm ready to go out there. We've had a great week of practice, so it's my job to go out there and play, and that's all I'm worried about. I don't really think about anything else. I'm fortunate to play this game. I get to go out there and play with my guys again. I'm so excited to play football and play it at this level."
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