Backup Barkley puts last year's rough stretch behind him

Matt Barkley understands why Eagles fans may not have a high opinion of his ability to be an NFL quarterback.

Pressed into duty last season as a rookie after Nick Foles and Michael Vick suffered injuries against the Cowboys and New York Giants, Barkley failed to guide the Eagles to a single point in 10 possessions. Four of the drives ended with interceptions and one when Barkley fumbled.

"If they only saw me from the Eagles and they never saw me play college football, then, yeah, they probably have a pretty biased and negative opinion of me," Barkley said this week. "But, that's football. It doesn't matter. We moved the ball when I was in. I just made some bad errors with my throws."

Barkley completed 28 of 46 passes (60.9 percent) for 287 yards and guided to the Eagles into the red zone twice. But each of those possessions ended with turnovers - the last a fumble against the Giants when coach Chip Kelly had the righthanded throwing Barkley roll out to his left on a bootleg.

"That was last year. I think I've grown a lot since then," Barkley said. "They haven't seen what I'm fully capable of."

They may never end up seeing it, although Barkley is once again one step closer to starting. With No. 2 quarterback Mark Sanchez promoted to the top spot this week after Foles broke his collarbone, Barkley will be the backup Monday night against the Carolina Panthers.

And the adage that he's "only a chin strap away," as Kelly likes to say, has Barkley back in the spotlight, or at least near it. Kelly, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, and Barkley insist he's more equipped to handle being thrust back into it.

"I think Matt has improved," Kelly said. "Obviously, it's his second year in the system, and he has really worked very, very hard at it."

Barkley agreed that another year working in the Eagles offense has advanced his play. He noted that gaining full strength in his arm has been the biggest reason for his improvement. Barkley suffered a shoulder injury late in his senior season at Southern Cal and has said he wasn't completely healed last season.

"I've kind of refined my motion," Barkley said. "I think I had to compensate for the pain last year and kind of got sidearm. But, also, I'm more comfortable with the offense and the playbook. I know what Chip's mind-set is in regards to his play-calling and what he expects of the quarterback."

Aside from cleanup duty against the Raiders after the loss to the Giants, Barkley never took another snap last season. He entered the offseason committed to getting into the best shape of his career and strengthening his base to increase the velocity on his throws, he said.

Four days a week, Barkley worked out in the mornings and then drove up from Newport Beach, Calif., to Los Angeles to throw to Southern Cal receivers. When Shurmur was asked about Barkley in training camp, he said that running back LeSean McCoy and the quarterback were the two offensive players who came into camp in the best condition.

There appeared to be more velocity on Barkley's throws.

"Just playing catch with him and working with him in the drill work, you can tell that I think he throws a good, firm, strong ball," Shurmur said.

Barkley would probably be the first to admit he doesn't have a cannon like Aaron Rodgers, but neither does Foles or Sanchez. To succeed at this level, he needs to offset what he lacks in arm strength with decision-making and a quick trigger.

Still, there were rumors that the Eagles were open to trading Barkley before the season. He said that he was conscious of the speculation but that he was focused on his current job.

And yet . . .

"If another opportunity opens up to where it could further your career," Barkley said, "you've got to take it."

Barkley has never given any indication that he lacks confidence, even during last season's struggles. He may be the No. 3 quarterback with the Eagles, but he believes he can start and only needs an opportunity.

"I think so much of this game is timing and being in the right place at the right time," Barkley said. "I'm patient right now. I think, at some point, you do have to be forthcoming and a little direct and aggressive in terms of where you want your career to go. But, as for now, I'm learning in a system, I'm growing, and, as long as I continue to get better, I'm fine."

Kelly said that he did not have a timetable for Foles' return.

"I think it's how that bone progresses," Kelly said. "They'll check him, I think, they said three or four weeks out, just to see where he is."

Earlier this week, an NFL source said that Foles would be out for at least six to eight weeks.

Kelly also said that receiver Brad Smith, who is coming back from groin surgery, would be the emergency quarterback on Monday.

@Jeff_McLane