This is what we know about quarterback Michael Vick. The Eagles picked up the roster bonus that was due to him last Tuesday. He is under contract through the 2010 season.

Is he in the team's plans for beyond this upcoming season? Are the Eagles open to dealing Vick before this season?

Time will tell.

But that hasn't stopped the speculation as to who is interested in him and what it would take to move Vick.

One school of thought has emerged of late. If the Eagles don't hear an offer that suits them, they will keep him this season and let him become a free agent in 2011. How will that benefit the Eagles?

Compensatory pick.

General manager Howie Roseman said on Eagles Live! (tomorrow at noon, by the way) that the conclusion after a team study would be that the Eagles will receive two compensatory draft picks in 2010 for the loss of free agents last year. That jives with blogger AdamJT13 who studies the NFL's compensatory pick process. The picks should be announced within the next two weeks.

The NFL has not made the formula for compensatory picks public. The factors for determining them involve losing more free agents than attaining the previous off-season. That much is known. Average annual salary and games played/started in the just-completed season are also reportedly variables in the process.

AdamJT13's study has the Eagles earning two compensatory picks in the seventh round for losing safety Sean Considine and tight end L.J. Smith. Who said they couldn't help anymore?

Compensatory picks are awarded at the end of each round beginning with the third. These picks can not be traded.

Going off of AdamJT13's study of the 2009 compensatory picks, the loss of Asante Samuel earned the Patriots a third-round compensatory pick in 2009. According to AdamJT13, Samuel's deal is worth $9.4 million per season. Samuel started and played in 15 games, plus earned a Pro Bowl nomination. Actual stats are reportedly not a factor.

For a fourth-round pick, which San Diego earned two last year, the Chargers lost Michael Turner ($5.8 million, 16 games played/started and Pro Bowl) and Drayton Florence ($5.93, 15 games played/8 started).

And this is assuming the Eagles would lose more free agents than gain next off-season. Plus, the Eagles would have to wait until 2012 to see the pot of gold at the end of the tunnel.

Just another theory to digest.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 6:28 p.m., March 14