Nick Foles already taking the Eagles by the horns

Nick Foles' first practice as starting quarterback had just ended, and as he walked to the locker room he approached newly signed Eagle Jake Scott and threw his arm over the offensive lineman's shoulder.

"Nice job today," Foles said.

Later, as Foles went around to each of the offensive linemen's locker stalls and handed them a piece of paper, the rookie and the 31-year-old Scott exchanged e-mail addresses. Foles, slated to start in his first NFL game, would not divulge the information he provided on the paper.

"Just bonding with my teammates," Foles told a reporter. "Trying to spend some time with them on the road."

Foles' linemen weren't talking either.

"He invited me to a ball," guard Evan Mathis joked. "I'm wearing heels."

Fans desperate for a glimmer of hope would like nothing more than for Sunday's game at Washington to be Foles' coming-out party. Despite that kind of pressure and a whirlwind four days, Foles has not been overwhelmed by the moment, teammates said.

"No matter what type of situation I'm in, I treat it the same," Foles said Wednesday.

This week has been different, however. Before Sunday, Foles had never played in an NFL game. By the end of the day, he had replaced an ailing Michael Vick and played a part in the Eagles' 38-23 loss to Dallas: Two of his turnovers were turned into touchdowns.

On Wednesday, with Vick recovering from a concussion, Foles was given the full responsibility of being the starter. He took all the repetitions in practice, spent extra time in meetings, and stood and answered questions from the media horde. No big deal.

"The big thing is [it's] just football," Foles said. "I've played since I was a kid. Of course, it's the highest level there is."

Technically speaking, Foles has not been named the starter yet. Coach Andy Reid would not rule out Vick for the Redskins game even though Vick had yet to begin the NFL protocol for returning from a concussion.

Resting at home, Vick did not appear at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. During his Monday news conference, Reid called the head injury that Vick suffered "significant." The quarterback has suffered two concussions in the last 22 regular-season games he has played and has taken an inordinate number of hits this season.

Reid was asked whether he expected Vick to return this season.

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "I've just got to see. I don't know that. He hasn't gone through any of the tests so far, so right now, he's just in that resting stage. We'll see how it goes. I can't tell you."

Because of Vick's condition and the state of the 3-6 Eagles, some believe that Reid will have no choice but to stick with Foles for the remainder of the season. It could be the coach's only hope for returning in 2013.

Owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman, when evaluating Foles, are looking beyond next season, though. They want to know whether they have a franchise quarterback. Though the final seven games or Sunday's performance or even a moment with a veteran lineman won't give a complete answer, there will be clues.

Several teammates remarked about Foles' poise this week.

"I'm really confident. I think my teammates are as well," tight end Brent Celek said. "He's got all the ability. He's calm. He knows how to lead, so I'm excited, if Mike can't go . . . for Nick."

Foles is expected to benefit from a full week of practice. He completed 69 percent of his throws against Dallas but could have committed more than just the two turnovers. Even so, he said he can't let the errors slow him down.

"I think that's the key: Play fast, don't be afraid to make mistakes," Foles said. "If I do make a mistake, [keep] firing it."

Foles said that watching Vick continue to pull the trigger despite this season's beatings has helped his mental preparation.

"The guy's a tough dude - one of the toughest guys I've ever seen," Foles said. "He gets hit, he gets right back up. He gets hit, he gets right back up, and he keeps firing."

Foles will lead the brigade at least for one game.