For starters, Eagles searching for No. 2 quarterback

The Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback has played in only four NFL games and thrown just 16 passes, while the Eagles’ No. 3 quarterback has never thrown a pass in an NFL game. That is significant, because the Eagles’ No. 1 quarterback, Michael Vick, has only played all 16 games in a season one time in his nine years in the league.

And that’s why the Eagles’ eventual No. 2 QB might not even be on their roster right now. That’s a decision coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will have to make in the next few weeks, a decision that will be even harder since Mike Kafka, the current No. 2, has a fractured bone in his left (non-throwing) hand and will be sidelined for two to three weeks.

That means rookie Nick Foles, a third-round draft pick from Arizona, is the de facto backup to Vick for the time being. He looked sharp in the preseason opener against Pittsburgh, throwing two long touchdown passes while playing with and against other third-string players.

“I liked him before we drafted him,’’ Mornhinweg said of Foles. “And in the first minicamp, I liked him even more. And when we started this (training) camp, I liked him even more. And after his first preseason game, I like him even more.

“We’ll see if he continues to develop at a high rate. That will be the key for him. If he does, I think he’s got quite a future in this league.”

But is the future now? Is Foules -- or, for that matter, Kafka -- ready to step in and win a regular-season game?

“Not right now,’’ Mornhinweg said. “It’s hard to project -- nobody has a crystal ball and can tell you want we’ll think two weeks from now. I’m happy with both of their play in training camp up to date.”

Kafka didn’t look very good against the Steelers before he got hurt and, even though the coaches are happy with his play in training camp, practice isn’t a game. Certainly Kafka has the potential to be a fine NFL quarterback, but he hasn’t done it yet -- and until he does there will be doubts about him.

“I understand that,’’ Kafka said. “In this game, at this level, you have to prove yourself every day. Because it’s the quarterback, it gets a little more attention, but every player out on that practice field has to prove himself every day and I’m no different.

“I know I can play this game and I know I can be a winning quarterback in this league. But knowing you can do it isn’t enough, you have to go out there and actually do it.”

Actually, the Eagles have a quarterback on their roster who has actually done it. Veteran Trent Edwards, who has played in 37 NFL games and started 33 of them with Buffalo and Jacksonville. Edwards is currently fourth team and even though he played well in the fourth quarter against the Steelers –- when both teams had their deepest reserves in the game –- most observers don’t believe he’ll make the final roster. At the same time, he’s better equipped to play and win an NFL game right now than the other two reserve QBs on the team.

So don’t be surprised if the Eagles wait for another veteran QB to get released from another team. They know they can’t depend on Vick to last 16 games. They also know a game that is won or lost by his backup could be the difference between making the playoffs and watching them on television for the second year in a row.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.