Michael Vick still a backup quarterback in Philadelphia

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Nearly 90% of The Times’ readers who responded to an online poll last week said Michael Vick should be the Philadelphia Eagles’ regular starting quarterback.

And that was before his 321 total yards, including a pair of touchdown passes, while starting for injured first-string quarterback Kevin Kolb in the Eagles’ 35-32 victory over Detroit on Sunday.

But Eagles Coach Andy Reid said that Kolb is still the team’s starter -- and that was after Vick’s performance Sunday.

It was also after last week’s season-opening loss against Green Bay, during which Kolb completed five of 10 passes for 24 yards before leaving the game with a concussion and Vick completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards and also rushed for 103 yards.

Of course, Reid is aware that another quarterback controversy is well underway in Philadelphia, but he is standing by the decision he made long ago for Kolb to be the Eagles’ starter.

‘I can’t please everybody,’ Reid said. ‘I know that. I’m here to make the decision that is right for the team … I think it’s a beautiful situation. I’ve got two quarterbacks that can play and a third young one that I think down the road here will be a good one at a very important position … I’m a happy guy. There are a lot of teams that don’t have good quarterbacks. I think we can win with both guys.’

Reid added: ‘We’ll see how it all works out. I’m not here to justify one over the other. I’m not doing that. I’m very proud of Michael. Michael is a heck of a player. He was one of the all-time greats in this league at one time. He’s on his way back. Kevin’s future, he doesn’t have the same experience, but it’s a bright one.’

-- Chuck Schilken