Jackson: Michael Vick 'still elite'

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Michael Vick is still "elite," Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver DeSean Jackson said Tuesday, and is still the team's starting quarterback.

"As far as I know right now, Michael Vick is going to be the quarterback," Jackson said in an interview on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning." "I haven't heard of changes or anything like that, so we're still going with the plan."

Philadelphia next plays Monday against the New Orleans Saints.

On Sunday, Vick said: "Whatever decision Coach makes, I support it. The thing I know is, I'm giving it everything I've got out there when I step on the field. Deep down, as long as I know I'm doing that, giving it everything, that's all I can ask out of myself."

Reid postponed his weekly news conference Monday because of Hurricane Sandy.

But league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Monday that Vick does not believe he deserves to be benched and is upset at the idea of it. The sources said that supporting Reid's decision should not be confused with happily accepting a decision to start Foles.

Jackson said the Eagles' problems are bigger than one person.

"You can't never blame it on one man," Jackson said. "There's been turnovers and things like that, but as far as Michael Vick and what he's capable of doing, I think he's still an elite quarterback in this football league."

Vick led Philadelphia to comeback wins with go-ahead touchdowns on the final drive the first two games of the season. But he's been inconsistent and turnover-prone overall. Vick has just a 78.6 passer rating, his lowest since joining the Eagles in 2009. He's coming off a rare turnover-free performance after throwing eight interceptions and losing five fumbles in the first six games.

He is ranked 18th in ESPN's quarterback ratings with a Total QBR of 55.3.

Foles, a third-round pick out of Arizona, had an outstanding preseason. However, he did so playing against backups, third-stringers and players who didn't make a roster. Foles impressed coaches and teammates, and fans have been calling since Week 1 for him to start.

Sunday's loss was the Eagles' third in a row. Jackson credited Reid with "remaining the same" in the face of the team's struggles, but he said the team was feeling frustration.

"The locker room is a very frustrated group of men. We expect a lot more out of ourselves," Jackson said. "We've lost some games that we feel we should have won."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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