Nick Foles thinks he can be even better in 2014

Chip Kelly has his man in Nick Foles, and Foles is taking on a leadership role in Eagles’ camp. Credit: Getty Images

Nick Foles seemed to burst onto the scene in 2014, becoming a household name and setting Eagles and NFL records with his spectacular season (27 TD, 2 INT).

But will he be able to replicate this performance in 2014, now that the entire NFL has had a chance to watch him and Chip Kelly’s offensive scheme for nearly a year?

“I think that we have a great group of guys that understand we have to work every day because this is a tough league,” Foles said. “Our last game we played in was against the Saints and we lost, so everybody remembers that and we know, ‘Hey, we were beat, so we have to continue to get better.’”

The way that Foles and the offense think they can most improve is by totally harnessing and mastering the fundamentals. Being technically sound mechanically would, in theory, make running the high-powered and fast-paced Kelly offense easier.

“When I go out there and play, I’m not forcing anything, I’m just playing football,” Foles said. “Being a leader to these guys, I’m going to naturally let my instincts take over. And it makes it easier because I’m not trying to be someone else, I’m just taking it in stride. This year is a little different, and there’s going to be a little more on my plate, but it’s just been a gradual growth through the last couple years to get to this point. And then I just have to continue to grow each and every day and have fun doing it.”

Foles lost perhaps his favorite weapon in DeSean Jackson when the Birds and Kelly decided to cut ties with the Pro Bowler. But he has some new weapons — Darren Sproles, and rookies Josh Huff and Jordan Matthews — alongside returning threats LeSean McCoy, Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin, and it is very possible that with the right amount of work and cohesion the offense can be historically good again this season.

“I think we’re going to be very successful with the guys we have here,” Foles said. “It’s going to take working every day. The most important thing is, you have to execute the plays. We have the guys here to do that, now we have to put the work in. Me saying it right now does not mean anything. I know I have to go out there every day and help those guys get better and grow.”