Reid turns to Foles as starter for rest of season, Vick still out

Let the conspiracy theories run wild.

Four days after reports that Mike Vick was unhappy and the Eagles were delaying his concussion testing broke, Andy Reid announced that Nick Foles will remain his starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The coach credited Foles’ progression for the move, while noting that Vick was still stuck in phase four of his rehab.

“I think where we’re at right now in the season that gives this kid an opportunity to play and finish it up. Number one, I just think he’s playing well enough to where I think he can win football games for us, and two, I think where we sit at this position in the season, [and] I think it’s the right thing to do. With Michael we need to make sure he gets healthy. This thing has carried on a while here now and I want to make sure he is good to go.”

Foles, a third-round pick out of Arizona, enjoyed his best performance of the season in a 38-33 loss to Dallas Sunday. The rookie finished 22-of-34 for 251 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. And it sure looked like Foles was playing with an expanded playbook.

“You see the footwork is better when he’s throwing the football,” Reid said. “It’s allowing us to add more into his repertoire of throws and he’s been working very hard on that.”

Reid still has no timetable for Vick’s return, but admitted that if or when he does return he would be listed as Foles’ backup. Reid spoke to Vick before announcing the decision and there is no ill will.

“He was very positive about it,” Reid said. “Completely understood and was on board.”

Vick was unavailable for comment, but Reid said last Friday that the concussed quarterback has been around the team and attending walk-throughs.

Washburn fired

Andy Reid shook up his coaching staff again when he dismissed Jim Washburn.

The defensive line coach, reportedly disgruntled after the Eagles cut Jason Babin, is best known for installing the Wide-9, a defensive front that didn’t seem to be

working for the Eagles.

Tom Brasher will take over. He served as Eagles defensive line coach in 1985 and again from 1999-2005.