PHILADELPHIA -- It's all a matter of perspective. What most of us would view as a lamb
being sent to slaughter, A.J. Feeley would have to consider a prime opportunity. If the Eagles determine that quarterback Donovan McNabb and his sore ankle, thumb or both are not in good enough shape to face the 10-0 New England Patriots on Sunday night - McNabb was listed as doubtful after missing his third straight practice yesterday - Feeley will be ready, he says.
"You're not intimidated by anybody in the NFL," Feeley said of the prospect of facing the league's only undefeated team.
"You respect them, but for us, it's another game to try to continue our winning streak."
But don't think that if Feeley starts, it will be a catalyst for "The Legend of A.J. Part II."
This isn't like 2002, when McNabb was out with a broken leg and backup Koy Detmer went down with a dislocated elbow.
Feeley started the final five games of that season and led the Eagles to a 4-1 finish before handing the reins back to McNabb for the playoffs.
If Feeley starts against the Patriots, it is likely to be for one game.
Lose, draw or win, (yes, that was listed in order of most likely outcomes), Feeley probably will return to the role of backup Dec. 2 when the Eagles play the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field.
Though McNabb did not practice this week, coach Andy Reid has not ruled him out as the starter Sunday night.
"If [McNabb] can get out there and play at a high level, then he plays," Reid said.
Reid has to desperately hope that McNabb responds well to treatment and is able to go against New England.
The issue is open to debate, but McNabb, even in this season of turmoil, gives the Eagles their best chance of pulling a stunning upset - a little chance rather than a minuscule chance. Beyond that, however, is the potential for the king-size headache Reid could get from playing Feeley.
Viewing this only from the angle of brewing controversy, little good can come from starting Feeley.
If the most likely thing occurs and Feeley's performance is fair to middling in a blowout loss, Reid would turn to McNabb and ask him to win four, probably five games down the stretch and try to get the Eagles into the playoffs.
