Vick news overshadows loss to Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Michael Vick scored his first Eagles touchdown and threw his first Eagles interception in last night's final exhibition game, a 38-27 loss to the New York Jets at Giants Stadium.

But the key move of the day for Vick was his morning meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who later announced that Vick will be eligible to play in the Eagles' third game, against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Goodell's decision gave the Eagles more clarity as they finalize the 53-man roster prior to tomorrow's 6 p.m. deadline.

"You can make decisions now knowing the answers to all the possible questions instead of having a bunch of question marks that you didn't know what things would look like in the short term," Eagles president Joe Banner said before the game.

If general manager Tom Heckert has any unused minutes on his cell phone, he will exhaust them in the next 24 hours as the Eagles attempt to trade veteran A.J. Feeley, leaving Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Vick as the team's three quarterbacks.

It wouldn't be surprising either if Feeley, who played just one series last night, was being offered in a package with wide receiver Reggie Brown, a former starter who was still playing in the fourth quarter last night.

An Eagles source said recently that the team would like to add another tight end to the roster, and New England is interested in moving Alex Smith, a former third-round pick by Tampa Bay who was traded to the Patriots during the off-season.

The source indicated that the Eagles were still looking for help at other positions, too. Safety and linebacker figure to be on that list.

The Eagles might feel a little better about the tight end position this morning after recent addition Tony Curtis caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.

There are other possible options, too. It wouldn't be surprising if one of the Eagles' former assistants, such as St. Louis' Steve Spagnuolo or Baltimore's John Harbaugh, expressed an interest in Feeley.

Donovan McNabb's only contribution last night came when he called tails during the coin toss at midfield. It was tails and he informed referee Ron Winter that the Eagles would like the football to start the game.