Quarterback A.J. Feeley is "flattered" to be mentioned in trade rumors as teams must get to the 53-man roster limit by 6 PM (EST) today. Speculation points toward a deal with the New England Patriots as they only have two quarterbacks on their roster and one of them is rookie free agent Brian Hoyer.
Feeley has spent a majority of his career with the Eagles. A fifth-round pick in 2001 out of Oregon, Feeley shouldered the load in 2002 after Donovan McNabb broke his leg and helped the Eagles grab the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Feeley was traded to the Dolphins in 2004 for a second-round pick. He was eventually traded to the Chargers in 2005 and rejoined the Eagles just before the start of the 2006 season. As an Eagle, Feeley has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 2,177 yards and 16 touchdowns.
At the start of training camp, it appeared as if the Eagles' quarterback situation was set. But when Michael Vick was added on Aug. 13, questions surfaced as to whether the Eagles would keep four quarterbacks. Feeley learned from reporters after Thursday night's preseason finale that Vick will be eligible to play in Week 3 of the regular season. Instead of bemoan what it could mean for his future as an Eagle, he lauded what it could do for the team.
"I think it's great. I've said all along, I was for the move," Feeley said. "It's an addition to a team that helps it. He's a great player, a great quarterback. Everybody deserves a second chance. I thought it was a good move.
"I've been the biggest supporter of the Eagles and my loyalty will always be here regardless of what happens. I still feel like I have a lot of football left. I'm not going to hang it up and not go forward. I'm going straight ahead and I'm going to try to help this team."
Feeley loves playing in Philadelphia and would love to keep playing here. But if his departure will make this year's Eagles team better, then Feeley will support the move.
"If it's going to help the football team here, I'm all for it," Feeley said. "I've been in Philadelphia for a long time. Playing in Philadelphia is a great market, there's probably no better place to play. They've always taken care of me. Andy (Reid) and the guys in the front office, I have a great relationship with them. There's no animosity regardless of what happens."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:45 a.m., September 5
