With controversial QB Michael Vick ruled eligible to play for the Eagles in Week Three (vs. KC) by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the media in Philly is speculating today about a trade of backup QB A.J. Feeley to the Patriots in exchange for a tight end -- possibly Alex Smith, a former third-round pick of Tampa Bay who was traded to the Pats this year for a fifth-round choice.

Currently, the backups to Tom Brady in New England are undrafted rookie Brian Hoyer, who played the entire game Thursday night against the Giants, and Andrew Walter, who has played only sparingly this preseason after being picked up by the Patriots when he was waived by Oakland, where he threw 16 interceptions and just 3 TD passes in four years.

The 32-year-old Feeley has started 15 games over 8 NFL seasons, six of them with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2001 out of the University of Oregon. He started the final five games for Philly in 2002, leading the Eagles to a 4-1 record and clinching a playoff spot.

Traded to Miami in 2004, he started 8 games for the Dolphins that season. The Fins shipped him to San Diego the following year, and Feeley re-signed with Philadelphia in 2006, where he has been a backup to Donovan McNabb ever since.

He has thrown 27 career TD passes and 29 interceptions, completing 55.9 percent of his passes while compiling a QB rating of 69.6.

It's hard to say just what the Patriots think of Walter. The fact he didn't play against New York could mean they like what they've seen of him in practice, as well as on film from his time in Oakland, and felt they needed to see Hoyer against NFL competition.

Make that "semi-NFL" competition. Hoyer, not surprisingly, struggled at the outset against the Giants' first-team defense -- in part because New England had neither its best offensive linemen, nor top receivers, on the field. But, after the Giants began to substitute defensively, Hoyer looked progressively better and completed 75 percent of his passes -- including one for a touchdown, without an interception -- as the Pats rallied from a 21-0 deficit after the first quarter to win, 38-27.

Or it's possible that Walter's inaction means the Pats have seen enough of him, in more ways than one.

Smith would seem to be the most expendable of New England's tight end. Free agent acquisition (from the Jets) Chris Baker has made his way to number-one on the depth chart, moving past former first-round pick (2004) Ben Watson. David Thomas, a third-round choice in 2006, has looked good in training camp this summer.

The Patriots aren't the only team considered to be a candidate for Feeley. The Rams and Ravens also are rumored to have an interest.