ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Michael Vick and Oakland rumors just won’t die.

Because he has become an afterthought in Philadelphia already, there has been chatter that the Eagles could be interested in trading Vick prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Oakland (which hosts Vick and the Eagles on Sunday) is being pointed to as a potential suitor because Raiders’ starter JaMarucs Russell has been horrible. Many league observers connected the dots and thought Oakland would be interested in Vick this summer. But there appears to be no true interest.

The Raiders may be more inclined to look at Vick now that Russell is struggling mightily and backup Jeff Garcia is no longer in the fold. Still, I don’t know if Oakland would pursue Vick. It’s not like he’s been outstanding with the Eagles. Perhaps there is a reason why the Eagles haven’t used him much.

The only way I could see Oakland -- who is looking to be trade deadline sellers not buyers -- pursuing Vick is if it were as a backup plan for the future.

But Oakland could probably get in on Vick (who said this week he has no ill will toward the Raiders despite being advised against joining the team by mentor Tony Dungy) at a later date. Plus, there will be other quarterback options available through the draft, trade and free agency in the offseason if Oakland wants to move away from Russell.

I know why Vick and the Raiders are constantly being connected, but a pairing in the next five days would be surprising.