Every team is better off with a backup quarterback they can count on, but there aren't many that need a capable reserve more than the Philadelphia Eagles.
Michael Vick is the clear-cut starter because he's one of the NFL's most dynamic players, using both his legs and left arm to create big plays. But Vick's explosive style of play comes with a price tag -- he has played 16 regular-season games in his career only once.
Enter Vince Young, who signed with the Eagles this offseason to be coach Andy Reid's security blanket after Kevin Kolb was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals. Young doesn't have Vick's resume, but he has similar tools. The biggest question is whether or not Young has had enough time to digest Reid's complicated playbook.
"We'll see how quickly Vince is coming, and that's a hard thing in this system without an offseason," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinwegtold the *Philadelphia Daily News* this week. "So, he's doing everything possible to get himself ready to play at a high level. (Quarterback coach) Doug (Pederson) is working hard, hard, hard on that with him."
With Young still a work in progress, Mike Kafka has been given a window of opportunity. Kafka, drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, is more familiar with Philadelphia's system and could be a safer short-term option if Vick were to go down.
Active rosters have been increased from 45 players to 46 this year and the emergency-quarterback rule was eliminated under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement. That means Philadelphia doesn't need to designate the depth chart behind Vick, adding a level of mystery to the proceedings.
Kafka isn't viewed as a great prospect, but he has done his job in the Eagles' first two preseason games. Last week, he completed 14 of his 19 attempts with two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers' reserves. By comparison, Young has completed 8 of 13 passes for 79 yards and an interception in two games.
"Let me tell you, he's done a nice job," Reid said of Kafka. "He was one of the bright spots of our last game."
Kafka's biggest knock is his lack of arm strength, and there are legitimate questions if he can make the necessary throws to succeed at the pro level. The Northwestern product doesn't let the criticism bother him.
"You can't really worry about what other opinions are of you," Kafka said. "You just have to believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself. I was taught by my coaches at a young age to have confidence in yourself. If you don't worry about that other stuff, it won't affect you."
Kafka called his experience gained last year "crucial" and talked about the strides a quarterback makes between his first and second year.
"Having last year, going through the entire year, seeing Mike do very well and learning from him, it was a great experience," he said. "I was pretty fortunate to get that."