The Eagles had spent years looking for the next Donovan McNabb, the quarterback that was at the helm for winning seasons on end during the Andy Reid era.
It appeared in 2013 that Nick Foles emerged as that franchise player. McNabb doesn't think so.
"I can't answer that but if I had to give a take, I would say no," McNabb said in an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic on Tuesday morning. "I think what he will do, he won't do what he did last year, that just won't happen. I see him being maybe a 25 touchdown, 8-10 interception guy. They're trying to have in the mind of Nick Foles, you don't have to take chances all the time."
McNabb went on to explain his reason for the comment, using Foles tendencies at the position as a basis.
"There's nothing wrong with checking down to the tight end, to your running back," McNabb said. "It's not the kind of offense that we're going to score on the first play of the drive and get off the field. The big thing is, don't worry about what you did last year.Things are going to change. Defenses are going adjust to you. They'll try and take away LeSean McCoy but you are the focal point and they are going to make you beat them."
McNabb had mobility in his prime, when leading the Eagles to four NFC Championship game appearances from 2001 to 2008. That said, Foles lack of speed is a concern for the former Eagles QB.
"Foles isn't known for his ability to get out of the pocket," McNabb said. "I told him on my radio show, I said to him, 'Does anyone tell you you have the speed of a turtle?' But with his size he does a great job moving in the pocket and getting the ball out, getting it to his guys quickly."
McNabb was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame last season and has served as an analyst on FOX Sports 1. He's scheduled to be the color analyst on FOX Sunday broadcasts this season alongside Dick Stockton.
Foles commented on the criticism at his press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"Everybody's entitled to their opinion," Foles said. "I haven’t earned anything yet. Like I said, it’s a week-to-week thing. It always will be. My job’s to go out there and play to the best of my ability."
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
